Memphis Grizzlies Draft Prospects: Demetrius Jackson

With young prospects Xavier Munford and Andrew Harrison, should the Memphis Grizzlies look at Demetrius Jackson, a point guard with a higher ceiling?

The Memphis Grizzlies have a wide array of options with this year’s 17th overall pick. They can look at a 3-and-D wing, a backup point guard, a player they can use to later replace Marc Gasol or package it with a player to trade up or down in the draft.

While the Grizzlies never gave drafted point guards Greivis Vasquez and Tony Wroten enough time, they could opt to go with a player that can back up Mike Conley (assuming he returns) and later start. Why not they look at Notre Dame’s Demetrius Jackson?

Demetrius Jackson is a 6’1″ guard who played three seasons at Notre Dame. Mock drafts have him between the late lottery to the early second round. His height may scare teams from drafting him higher; however, he makes up for it with his dynamite shooting and explosiveness.

Over the course of his college career, he never averaged more than 16 points but is a 38 percent three-point shooter.

From the video, Demetrius Jackson demonstrates something the Grizzlies have lacked at the point guard for a long time: explosiveness. The Grizzlies have not had a point guard that can drive down the lane and throw it down on the opposing team’s big man.

In addition, drafting Demetrius Jackson would bring a Mario Chalmers-like bunch.

In his sophomore year, he typically played off the ball for Jerian Grant. For the Grizzlies, he can operate both on and off the ball with ball-handlers Lance Stephenson and Mike Conley, if they both come back.

In doing so, he can re-capture the three-point shooting touch from his freshman and sophomore seasons, both north of 40 percent.

With athletic big men Brandan Wright, JaMychal Green and Jarrell Martin, Jackson allows the Grizzlies to suit their big men’s style by playing at a more up-tempo pace (Lob City Bench Squad?). With a faster pace, it gets Jackson operating in the open court which suits him perfectly.

Best-case scenario: Jackson serves as Conley’s apprentice the next few years, similar to Chris Paul and Eric Bledsoe in Los Angeles, taking over once Conley’s age begins to show.

If he reaches or exceeds his ceiling, he plays similarly to Kyle Lowry or Bledsoe, bulldog point guards with explosiveness and a smooth shooting touch. He may not be an All-Star like Lowry; however, he can serve as a strong starting point like how Conley has for the Grizzlies this past half-decade.

Worst-Case Scenario: Demetrius Jackson’s height and lack of true point guard instincts hurt him out of the gate, causing him to struggle finding his niche in the league. He has a career similar to Nate Robinson, serving as a dynamite punch off the bench for any kind of team.

Most-likely Scenario: Demetrius Jackson serves that Nate Robinson role in his first few seasons then receives a starting job either in Memphis or somewhere else, similar to Eric Bledsoe and Reggie Jackson.

His athleticism and explosiveness changes the pace for a team looking for a new identity or a different look off the bench, both applicable for the Memphis Grizzlies.

With the 3-point game becoming more necessary for team success, he has no trouble adjusting to the NBA 3-point line and carves out a nice career in this league.