Potential lottery pick Demetrius Jackson declares for NBA draft, to hire agent

By Dan FeldmanMar 30, 2016, 11:06 AM EDT
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Demetrius Jackson has been on NBA radars for years.

After three seasons at Notre Dame, he’s turning pro.

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I am blessed with the opportunity to say I will be declaring for the NBA Draft. It was an honor to represent such a great University and program. There have been many people who've helped me along this journey, and I'd like to thank my family, teammates, and coaches for shaping me to be the player and man I am today. The continuous support of the Notre Dame family has made these past three years unforgettable. a huge thank you to my foster family—you opened your home to me, gave me the best possible situation to be successful, and allowed me to open up and trust again. Words will never be enough to describe how you've helped me grow. And to all those who believed in me through the ups and downs, thank you. Not only do I have a place to call home with my foster family, but now another at Notre Dame. #NotDoneYet #574

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Notre Dame release:

Jackson is expected to sign with an agent and will not return to Notre Dame for his final year of eligibility in 2016-17.

Jackson projects to go in the middle of the first round.

He’s a quality athlete who uses his slashing and passing abilities to dictate an efficient offense. Good things tend to happen with the ball in his hands.

But Jackson will turn 22 before his first NBA season begins. How much did his physical advantage – which he put to good use, mind you – stem from being older than most of his competition? That won’t be the case in the pros. At the next level, Jackson’s size (6-foot-1) could become more of an issue, too.

The big question: Why did his outside shot regress after looking more promising his first two college seasons? If NBA teams believe he can score efficiently from beyond the 3-point arc, it’s much easier to get past concerns about his quickness through traffic translating to the next level. Otherwise, his stuck could fall a bit.