A New Candidate for Jazz at Pick 9 Floated in Latest Draft Buzz

With less than two months until the NBA draft, a new name has emerged as a potential selection for the Utah Jazz at the No. 9 spot. According to ESPN 700 producer Leif Thulin, the player Utah should go with is South Carolina power forward G.G. Jackson.

Thulin provided the logic behind the selection on The Bill Riley Show.

“I would love to see them take GG Jackson but I doubt they would," Leif told Riley. “The reason I would go with Jackson is the Jazz are a smaller market and even with the CBA talking about trying to make the teams more even in terms of talent—like having two stars as opposed to three stars. I still have my doubts about the Jazz being able to build a team that way without it being organic to a degree.”

It would be a pick coming out of left field, considering that most mock drafts have Jackson available when Utah will be picking at No. 16. However, the case that Jackson has the highest ceiling of those prospects projected to be available has merit.

Jackson has the size, footwork, and versatility that franchises will be looking for on draft day. As a freshman, the blue-chip prospect averaged 15.2 ppg while hailing in 5.9 rebounds. He’ll only be 18 years old at the start of next season, which bodes well for a team that has time to be patient.

Also, keep in mind Jackson was the No. 1 high school prospect in the 2023 class before reclassifying in 2022. He’d be a projected top-five pick coming out with players his own age.

Leif isn’t the only pundit that considers Jackson a top-10 selection. Rafael Barlowe of NBA Big Board shared his thoughts on Twitter.

“GG Jackson moves up to No.5 on my latest mock”, Barlow tweeted. “The youngest player in the draft and #1 recruit 2023 before reclassifying and enrolling at S. Carolina a year early. I'm betting on the size, athleticism, shot making, ball handling and upside.”

GG Jackson moves up to No.5 on my latest mock

The youngest player in the draft and #1 recruit 2023 before reclassifying and enrolling at S. Carolina a year early.

I'm betting on the size, athleticism, shot making, ball handling and upside.

Read more:https://t.co/ogswwvl0Cm pic.twitter.com/UMrCthswjd
— Rafael Barlowe (@Barlowe500) May 9, 2023

Jackson will get his opportunity to move up other draft boards as teams get a closer look at prospects during the combine and pre-draft workouts. The Jazz will get a better idea of what players will be on its radar after the lottery on May 16.

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