Keeping It Heel
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UNC Basketball: Justin Jackson’s case for ACC Player of the Year

By Alec Lasley

Feb 22, 2017; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Nate Britt (0) during introductions at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 22, 2017; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Nate Britt (0) during introductions at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 18, 2017; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Justin Jackson (44) dribbles up the floor during the second half against the Virginia Cavaliers at Dean E. Smith Center. The Tar Heels won 65-41. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports-
Feb 18, 2017; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Justin Jackson (44) dribbles up the floor during the second half against the Virginia Cavaliers at Dean E. Smith Center. The Tar Heels won 65-41. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports- /

No. 1: Justin Jackson (North Carolina)

After declaring for the NBA Draft last May, Jackson got a lot of feedback before coming back to school for his junior year.

One of the main topics of conversation; his three point shot and his overall inconsistent play.

What has he done this year? Become a go-to scorer, a major deep threat shooter, and what I think is the ACC Player of the Year.

Justin Jackson is currently seventh in the ACC in scoring (18.4) and eight in the ACC in three point percentage (Min. 150 attempts), at 39.3 percent. Also, he sits at second in three point field goals made per game at 2.7.

Though Jackson has relied more heavily on his three point game this year, he still is one of the craftiest offensive players in the whole country. Standing at 6-foot-8, his floater is the most lethal floater in all of college basketball, and may be the best we’ve seen in recent years.

Not only can he create his own shot with his vastly improved stepback, he is also one of the most intelligent players when it comes to using screens. He has mastered the curl which allows him to either pull up in the mid range, or get to the rim to utilize his floater.

Jackson has scored in double figures in all but one ACC game, at Virginia. In ACC play, he has averaged 19.3 points, including 10 games of 20+ points.

Jackson is averaging 18.4 points , 4.8 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game, and has given the Tar Heels a second straight ACC regular season championship, if that doesn’t equal ACC Player of the Year, I’m not sure what does.

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