NBA Combine: Justin Jackson isn’t taking Kevin Durant’s advice

Mar 16, 2017; Greenville, SC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Justin Jackson (44) speaks the the media during a press conference during practice for the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2017; Greenville, SC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Justin Jackson (44) speaks the the media during a press conference during practice for the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Former UNC star Justin Jackson isn’t taking Kevin Durant’s advice regarding the 2017 NBA Scouting Combine

It was just a year ago that University of North Carolina forward Justin Jackson was going through the NBA Draft process.

He decided to come back to school and it paid off.

Jackson helped UNC win its sixth national championship and he improved his game significantly in the process. Most notably, Jackson worked on his shot from behind the arc as he improved his three-point percentage from .29 percent to 37 percent this past season.

Now Jackson could find himself as a lottery pick come June, projected to go 15th overall heading into the NBA Scouting Combine.

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For Jackson, it’s the second-straight season he’s gone through the process but this time he’s staying as he hired an agent.

The combine is designed to put players through drills, tests and scrimmages with the chance to improve their stock.

Golden State Warriors star Kevin Durant spoke out against the combine, saying that if you’re a top 10 pick or first round pick you’d be better off working out on your home and not attending the combine.

But Jackson wasn’t taking that advice via NBC Chicago:

"“That’s KD. He can say pretty much whatever he wants. I’m a guy trying to get to that league, so I’m going to do whatever they ask us to do, whatever we need to do. Does all this stuff translate? Maybe not, but at the end of the day, this is what they asked us to do, so that’s what we’re going to do.”"

Jackson participated in the first day of the combine and will be in Chicago until Sunday.

Only time will tell how much Jackson really improved his stock. The 2017 NBA Draft will take place on June 22, 2017 in Brooklyn, New York.