UNC Basketball: This year’s Tar Heels compared to last year’s team

Justin Jackson: From sophomore slump to future jersey in the rafters

Justin Jackson’s favorite basketball player is George Gervin, better known as “Ice Man.”

Gervin played professional basketball from 1972-90. His nickname came from his laid-back approach to playing basketball.

In other words, Gervin was cool.

Jackson is cool, also; rather the new definition of cool. He had the reputation as a relentless scorer prior to his freshman season at UNC.

However, he shot 47% from the field and 30% from three-point range. Jackson averaged 10.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists as a freshman.

As a sophomore, Jackson struggled. Although he averaged 12.2 points per game, he shot 29% from three-point range. At the free throw line, Jackson went from 71% as a freshman to 66.7% from the foul line as a sophomore.

Some people started criticizing Jackson for lack of effort. Others labeled him as an overrated.

Enter the 2016-17 season.

Jackson played with a chip on his shoulder the entire season. Jackson averaged 18.2 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game this season.

Although his field goal percentage is at a low 44.7%, Jackson makes 38% of his three-pointers and 73% of his free throws. Both his three-point field goals and free throws are all-time highs during his college career.

Jackson finished the season as the 2017 ACC Player of the Year. He was a first-team All-ACC honoree. Likewise, Jackson is an Associated Press first-team All-American.

Last season, Jackson relied on shooting jump shots a great deal. This season, Jackson has shown that he has an all-around game. He takes people off the dribble and looks to create his own shot, rather than rely merely on coming off screens to get open.

Jackson has worked on his dribbling, and occasionally brings the ball up the court. He has shown a commitment to playing defense, in particular, rebounding and guarding an opposing team’s best perimeter player.

Jackson has grown a great deal during his three-year career at UNC. The interesting thing is that he has already achieved the milestone of having his jersey in the rafter.

He earned this accolade for being an All-American and ACC Player of the Year.

With one more year of eligibility, UNC may possibly be blessed his services for one more season. Until we know Jackson’s plans for the future, his eyes are set on redeeming the Tar Heels in this year’s final four. His play will be a factor in the outcomes this weekend.

Jackson could possibly shoot his way to a national championship. Now, that’s cool.