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2018 NBA Draft Prospect Report Part 5: Jaren Jackson Jr.

By Ricky Scricca

EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 13: Jaren Jackson Jr. #2 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates his made basket during a game against the Michigan Wolverines at Breslin Center on January 13, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 13: Jaren Jackson Jr. #2 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates his made basket during a game against the Michigan Wolverines at Breslin Center on January 13, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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Jaren Jackson Jr., Michigan State Spartans, Zach Thomas, Bucknell Bison
DETROIT, MI – MARCH 16: Jaren Jackson Jr. #2 of the Michigan State Spartans blocks a shot by Zach Thomas #23 of the Bucknell Bison during the first half in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Little Caesars Arena on March 16, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Fouling or motor?

Fouling has been a major point of criticism for him all season long. He averages 5.9 fouls per 40 minutes and 8.6 per 100 possessions. Only 17 players in NBA history have fouled at that rate playing more than 20 minutes per game and none would be considered elite defenders.

But no players in NBA history have even come close to his steal and block rates of 8.1 blocks and 1.6 steals per 100 possessions. If his fouls, blocks and steals can all be defined as “defensive plays,” then the rate at which he accumulates defensive plays is unprecedented.

More important than his sheer volume of fouls is the fact his volume of blocks and steals is even higher. This is a product of his motor, mobility and aggressive help instincts.

The point is he fouls a lot not necessarily because he is sloppy.  Rather it is because of the frequency with which he puts himself in position to make a play on the ball.

His ratio of steals and blocks to fouls, a relatively strong indicator for NBA defensive success, is better than Deandre Ayton’s and better than Duke Blue Devils big men Wendell Carter Jr. and Marvin Bagley’s. Along with 157 other prospects out of 189 total on my big board.

It is also important to note he will likely be the third-youngest player in this draft, behind only Missouri Tigers forward Jontay Porter and Ukrainian guard Issuf Sanon. He has plenty of time to improve that ratio even further and make easier to play at such a high level for longer stretches without getting into as much foul trouble.