North Carolina junior forward Justin Jackson declared for the NBA draft on Thursday and plans to sign with an agent.
THANK YOU pic.twitter.com/I2qlOg4s3W
— Justin Jackson (@JJacks_44) April 13, 2017Advertisement
Jackson helped lead the Tar Heels to the national title while likely improving his draft stock in the process. The 6-foot-8 Jackson, who was named the ACC Player of the Year, averaged a team-leading 18.3 points and 4.7 rebounds while setting the school's single-season record for 3-pointers with 105.
"My family and I discussed my decision with Coach (Roy) Williams and we agree that declaring for the NBA draft is best for my career," Jackson said in a statement.
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"I wouldn't trade anything (from) the last three years as a Tar Heel, especially getting the chance to win a national championship, which was unbelievable. I feel I made a good decision last year to come back for my junior year. That has put me in a much better position as a basketball player and a person. I'm proud to know I will always be a Tar Heel."
Jackson scored 16 points as North Carolina posted a 71-65 victory over Gonzaga in the national championship game.
"We're excited for Justin and proud of the way he conducted himself each day in leading our team to a national championship," Williams said. "Justin explored his draft options after his sophomore season but understood it was in his best interest to play another season of college basketball, and what a year it was for him and our team.
"He did what our coaches and the NBA people advised him to do -- get stronger and work on making more shots. He responded by investing a tremendous amount of his time in the offseason and came back to school a bigger, better and more confident player."
