Sports

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 Gabriel Burns

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.

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