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2018 NBA Mock Draft: A full first round following National Championship Game

By Maxwell Ogden

SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 02: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats cuts down the net after defeating the Michigan Wolverines during the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship game at the Alamodome on April 2, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. Villanova defeated Michigan 79-62. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 02: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats cuts down the net after defeating the Michigan Wolverines during the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship game at the Alamodome on April 2, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. Villanova defeated Michigan 79-62. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 03: Jaren Jackson Jr. #2 of the Michigan State Spartans is defended by Isaiah Livers #4 of 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 is defended by Isaiah Livers #4 of 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) /

67. . Forward/Center. Michigan State Spartans. Jaren Jackson Jr.. 6. player

Age: 18 (9/15/1999)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’11”, 242 pounds, 7’4″
Slash Line: .513/.396/.797
Season Averages: 21.8 MPG, 11.3 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 1.5 ORPG, 1.1 APG, 3.0 BPG, 1.1 3PM

The Sacramento Kings have at least one quality young player at all five positions. Bogdan Bogdanovic, De’Aaron Fox, Buddy Hield, and Frank Mason III are standouts in the backcourt, and Willie Cauley-Stein, Justin Jackson, and Skal Labissiere are turning heads in the frontcourt.

With Sacramento continuing to boast one of the worst defenses in the NBA, however, the best option here is to find a potential defensive anchor.

Jaren Jackson Jr. has garnered significant praise as one of the most promising young bigs in the 2018 NBA Draft. He has a massive 7’4″ wingspan and captivating athleticism, which is a combination that has inevitably appealed to scouts around the NBA.

Jackson is also an efficient and effective three-point shooter who can attack a closeout or shoot over incoming defenders on a consistent basis.

While it’s mostly upside at this point, Jackson has already validated the belief that he can be a legitimate rim protector in the NBA. He finished his freshman season with an average of 5.5 blocks per 40 minutes and a ranking of No. 4 in the country in block percentage.

For the Kings, adding a supreme athlete who can block shots, shoot the three-ball, and handle the rock with some efficiency should be a riveting possibility.

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