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UNC Basketball: Justin Jackson named USA Today second team All-American

By Blake Cockrum

Feb 22, 2017; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Justin Jackson (44) and forward Isaiah Hicks (4) react in the second half. The Tar Heels defeated the Cardinals 74-63 at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 22, 2017; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Justin Jackson (44) and forward Isaiah Hicks (4) react in the second half. The Tar Heels defeated the Cardinals 74-63 at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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North Carolina’s Justin Jackson named USA Today second team All-American

North Carolina junior forward Justin Jackson worked tirelessly in the offseason to improve his jump shot and extend his range beyond the three-point line.

Apparently, his hard work paid off.

On Monday, just a day after being named ACC Player of the Year, Jackson was selected as a second team All-American by USA Today.

Jackson has played better in all facets of his game this season, namely his ability to shoot from long distance.

Feb 25, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Justin Jackson (44) dribbles the ball against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the second half at the Petersen Events Center. The Tar Heels won 85-67. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Justin Jackson (44) dribbles the ball against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the second half at the Petersen Events Center. The Tar Heels won 85-67. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

In his previous two seasons at North Carolina, Jackson shot just 29 percent from three-point range.

He scored 10.7 and 12.2 points per game in his freshman and sophomore seasons, respectively, and very similar rebound (3.7, 3.9) and assist (2.3, 2.8) numbers in both seasons.

This season, Jackson is averaging 18.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game.

He’s shooting 45.2 percent from the floor and 38.5 percent from three point-range.

Joining Jackson on the USA Today All-American second team is Kansas guard Josh Jackson, Duke sophomore Luke Kennard, Kentucky standout Malik Monk and Gonzaga junior Nigel Williams-Goss.

Below is a list of all three teams released on Monday by USA Today, headlined by the first team of Lonzo Ball, Dillon Brooks, Josh Hart, Frank Mason III and Caleb Swanigan.

FIRST TEAM

Lonzo Ball, Fr., G, UCLA

Dillon Brooks, Jr., F, Oregon

Josh Hart, Sr., G, Villanova

Frank Mason III, Sr., G, Kansas

Caleb Swanigan, So., F, Purdue

SECOND TEAM

Josh Jackson, Fr., G, Kansas

Justin Jackson, Jr., F, North Carolina

Luke Kennard, So., G, Duke

Malik Monk, Fr., G, Kentucky

Nigel Williams-Goss, Jr., G, Gonzaga

THIRD TEAM

De’Aaron Fox, Fr., G, Kentucky

Ethan Happ, So., F, Wisconsin

Lauri Markkanen, Fr., F, Arizona

Monte Morris, Sr., G, Iowa State

Johnathan Motley, Jr., F, Baylor

UNC is now preparing for the upcoming ACC Tournament in Brooklyn, which begins on Tuesday.

Related Story: Good, Bad, Ugly of UNC this year

The Tar Heels are a one seed and have a double bye. They will play their first game on Thursday against either Miami or Syracuse.

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