Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks

Phoenix Suns select Josh Jackson fourth overall

In this March 17, 2017, file photo, Kansas’s Josh Jackson (11) goes up for a shot over UC Davis’s Garrison Goode (44), Brynton Lemar (0) and Mikey Henn (24) in the first half of a first-round game in the men’s NCAA college basketball tournament in Tulsa, Okla. Jackson spent one season at Kansas and is expected to be a top-five pick in Thursday’s NBA draft. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, File)
In this March 17, 2017, file photo, Kansas’s Josh Jackson (11) goes up for a shot over UC Davis’s Garrison Goode (44), Brynton Lemar (0) and Mikey Henn (24) in the first half of a first-round game in the men’s NCAA college basketball tournament in Tulsa, Okla. Jackson spent one season at Kansas and is expected to be a top-five pick in Thursday’s NBA draft. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, File)
By
June 23, 2017

The Phoenix Suns added another piece to their young core, taking Kansas forward Josh Jackson with the fourth pick in the NBA draft.

Jackson averaged 16.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3 assists at Kansas.

Jackson is cut from a similar cloth of fellow former Jayhawk Andrew Wiggins. Jackson is among the best pure athletes in the class. While his jump shot is concerning, he showed signs of life down the stretch. His free-throw percentage (57) is also reason for pause.

If Jackson becomes even an average shooter, he could be a Jimmy Butler-like impact player. He’s been an expected top-five selection since his senior year of high school.

Phoenix is a logical spot for Jackson. He can be the wing defender they’ve lacked while pairing with Devin Booker to form one of the better young, complementing duos in the NBA.

About the Author

Gabriel Burns is a general assignment reporter and features writer for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. After four years on the Braves beat, he's expanded his horizons and covers all sports. You'll find him writing about MLB, NFL, NBA, college football and other Atlanta-centric happenings.

Follow Gabriel Burns on facebookFollow Gabriel Burns on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Atlanta Hawks forward Jacob Toppin was waived on Monday a week after it was announced the two-way forward would miss the season with a torn labrum. (Mike Stewart/AP)

Credit: AP

Hawks waive two-way forward

The Hawks waived two-way forward Jacob Toppin on Monday, a week after the team announced Toppin would miss the season with a torn labrum.

Good, bad, ugly: ‘Everyone really stepped up’ to defeat 76ers on Sunday

Atlanta took on a gang-rebounding mentality and put up one of its better nights on the offensive glass to create second-chance opportunities.

Clutch free throws help Hawks down 76ers

Jalen Johnson posts fourth straight triple-double in 120-117 win

The Latest

Atlanta Hawks forward Jacob Toppin was waived on Monday a week after it was announced the two-way forward would miss the season with a torn labrum. (Mike Stewart/AP)

Credit: AP

Hawks waive two-way forward

Good, bad, ugly: ‘Everyone really stepped up’ to defeat 76ers on Sunday

Weekend Reflections: Porzingis trade doesn’t look so good for Hawks now

Featured

A migrant farmworker harvests Vidalia onions at a farm in Collins, in 2011. A coalition of farmworkers, including one based in Georgia, filed suit last month in federal court arguing that cuts to H-2A wages will trigger a cut in the pay and standard of living of U.S. agricultural workers. (Bita Honarvar/AJC)

Credit: Bita Honarvar

Trump administration slashes Georgia migrant farmworker H-2A wages

The state’s agriculture industry relies on the H-2A farmworker visa program. A federal lawsuit is challenging the change.

Brian Kemp’s lame-duck dilemma: Swing big or play it safe?

The two-term Georgia governor enters his last legislative session next month.

Fate of Confederate souvenir store in limbo amid legal battle over estate

The future of Wildman’s Civil War Surplus Store has long been a topic of debate in Kennesaw, especially since proprietor Dent Myers’ death nearly four years ago.