Report Card: Boston Celtics Draft

45th Pick – Demetrius Jackson

Is it really an NBA draft if the Boston Celtics don’t select at least one point guard? They did it again. Another point guard. This time with a second round pick.

Drafting Demetrius Jackson comes with mixed emotions. On one hand, there’s no way he should have fallen to the mid-second round, on the other hand, it’s another point guard. It’ll be interesting to see whether Boston tries to trade him, Terry Rozier, or another young guard, or if they keep all of them on their team.

Strictly based off of talent, this was one of the best picks in the draft. Jackson is an explosive point guard who I felt had lottery talent. His junior season was impressive, despite being his only season he shot under 40 percent from three. Still, Jackson put together a very good year as he posted 15.8 points, 4.7 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game for Notre Dame.

Jackson is a scorer, and that’s why I think he’ll make the roster. He doesn’t have great size, however, at 6’2″, he has better size than Isaiah Thomas and provides the Celtics with a scoring option off the bench. He’s a career 38.9 percent three-point shooter, although he does most of his work using his explosiveness to get to the basket.

Just like Jaylen Brown, Jackson wants to get to the basket as often as possible. He shot 52.5 percent from two-point range as a junior, a testament to his driving ability and his mid-range game.

As impressive as his scoring is, he’s not a liability on defense. Jackson isn’t Marcus Smart on that end of the floor, however, he’s not going to get beaten off the ball a lot and creates turnovers. If he can show that he’s an NBA-defender then it’ll be very hard not to play him as a rookie.

Yes, it’s another guard, but you can make the argument that he’s a better selection than Rozier or R.J. Hunter last year. If he creates shots for himself, proves to be a solid ball-handler, and can show he’s an NBA defender, he’ll crack the rotation as a rookie and become a fan favorite.

Maybe he would’ve gone back to Notre Dame if he knew he wasn’t going to be picked until the 45th pick, but the Celtics got great value and I think he brings a lot to the table for Boston.

Grade: B

Next: No. 51 - Ben Bentil