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2018 NBA Draft: Top 5 centers for the New York Knicks

By Maxwell Ogden

AUSTIN, TX - FEBRUARY 7: Mohamed Bamba #4 of the Texas Longhorns and Makol Mawien #14 of the Kansas State Wildcats jockey for position at the Frank Erwin Center on February 7, 2018 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX - FEBRUARY 7: Mohamed Bamba #4 of the Texas Longhorns and Makol Mawien #14 of the Kansas State Wildcats jockey for position at the Frank Erwin Center on February 7, 2018 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 03: Jaren Jackson Jr. #2 of the Michigan State Spartans dunks the ball against the Michigan Wolverines during the semifinals of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 3, 2018 in New York City. The Michigan Wolverines defeated the Michigan State Spartans 75-64. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 03: Jaren Jackson Jr. #2 of the Michigan State Spartans dunks the ball against the Michigan Wolverines during the semifinals of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 3, 2018 in New York City. The Michigan Wolverines defeated the Michigan State Spartans 75-64. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /

Age: 18 (9/15/1999)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’11”, 242 pounds, 7’4″
Slash Line: .520/.396/.797
Season Averages: 22.2 MPG, 11.3 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 1.4 ORPG, 1.2 APG, 3.2 BPG, 0.6 SPG, 1.2 3PM

The Michigan State Spartans have a potential superstar on the roster in Jaren Jackson Jr. That may seem like a bold claim, but Jackson is beginning to surface in discussions as one of the top five prospects in the 2018 NBA Draft.

An explosive athlete, dominant shot-blocker, and lethal three-point shooter, Jackson has the foundation for dominance on both ends of the floor.

Jackson’s athleticism is reason enough to be intrigued, as he effortlessly carries his 6’11” body, 242-pound frame, and 7’4″ wingspan. His vertical is effortless, his ability to cover ground is unrivaled in its compelling nature, and his defensive instincts are advanced for a player his age.

Jackson has proven as much as a freshman, ranking No. 5 in the country in block percentage, and averaging 3.2 blocks per game and 5.7 blocks per 40 minutes.

Offensively, Jackson easily plays above the rim and shoots the lights out from beyond the arc—see: 2.1 three-point field goals made per 40 minutes on 39.6 percent shooting. That’s complemented by a budding ability to take his man off the bounce and a post game that’s raw, but has potential.

With Jackson and Kristaps Porzingis, the New York Knicks would have a chance to create the best and most well-rounded two-way interior in the NBA—bar none.

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