The NBA Draft is today: How high — or low — could South Carolina’s GG Jackson go?

Michael Lananna

When GG Jackson signed with South Carolina before last season, the general consensus among basketball experts was that he’d have a chance to be a lottery pick in the NBA Draft.

It doesn’t appear those lofty projections will come to fruition. With the NBA Draft set to start 8 p.m. Thursday, most projections have Jackson slipping into the second round.

A Columbia-area native and star at Ridge View High, Jackson initially committed to play for North Carolina as the top-ranked 2024 recruit in the country, but he decided to reclassify to 2023 and enrolled a year early with his hometown Gamecocks. The 6-foot-9, 215-pound forward was the youngest player in the country last year, opening the season as a 17-year-old.

Though Jackson led the Gamecocks in scoring, his youth was apparent in both the rawness of his game and in his occasional moments of immaturity. Once thought of as a possible top 15 overall pick, Jackson is projected no higher than the late first round in the most recent mock drafts.

There are two rounds and 60 total picks in the NBA Draft. Here’s a snapshot of Jackson’s latest projections:

  • ESPN: 2nd round/37th overall to Denver Nuggets

  • Bleacher Report: 2nd round/40th overall to Denver Nuggets

  • Yahoo: 2nd round/39th overall to Charlotte Hornets

  • SBNation: 1st round/22nd overall Brooklyn Nets

Gregory ‘GG’ Jackson stats at South Carolina

A gifted scorer who can make 3-pointers, attack the rim and create his own looks with turnaround jumpers, Jackson led the Gamecocks with 15.4 points per game in his lone college season.

He shot 38% from the field, 32% from the 3-point line and finished second on the team with 5.9 rebounds per game. His offensive upside and natural gifts on the court are key reasons why he was so highly lauded coming into his freshman season, but his overall game needs development — especially in terms of his decision-making and the defensive side of the ball.

There were several instances during the 2022-23 season when Lamont Paris and his coaching staff expressed frustration with Jackson not hustling down the court or lacking defensive intensity. Body language was an issue at times, and the Gamecocks briefly benched Jackson after he complained in a social media post about not getting the ball.

Still, Jackson finished the season on a high note with 24 points in USC’s SEC Tournament loss to Ole Miss. Jackson helped spur a late run in that game and made several clutch shots on the biggest stage of his collegiate career.

Mock draft projections for other SC prospects

——Noah Clowney (6-10, 210)——

High School: Dorman

College: Alabama

  • ESPN: 1st round/21st overall to Brooklyn Nets

  • CBS Sports: 1st round/22nd overall to Brooklyn Nets

  • The Athletic: 1st round/17th overall to Los Angeles Lakers

  • Bleacher Report: 1st round/24th overall to Sacramento Kings

  • SB Nation: 1st round/15th overall to Atlanta Hawks

——Julian Phillips (6-8, 198)——

High School: Blythewood/Link Academy (Mo.)

College: Tennessee

  • ESPN: 2nd round/35th overall to Boston Celtics

  • Bleacher Report: 2nd round/37th overall Oklahoma City Thunder

  • Yahoo Sports: 1st round/29th overall to Indiana Pacers

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