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UNC Basketball: Justin Jackson works out for Portland Trailblazers

By Blake Cockrum

Apr 3, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Justin Jackson (44) arrives for the game against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the championship game of the 2017 NCAA Men's Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Justin Jackson (44) arrives for the game against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the championship game of the 2017 NCAA Men's Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Justin Jackson works out for Portland Trailblazers, wrapping up busy schedule prior to Thursday night’s NBA Draft

After working out with the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday, Justin Jackson traveled nearly 3,000 miles to visit the Portland Trailblazers the following day.

It was the last of his 11 pre-draft workouts, which also included trips to Indiana and Milwaukee in the past week. And according to Jackson, the hectic schedule might be starting to affect his performance.

The former Tar Heel and 2017 ACC Player of the Year had this to say of his workout on Monday compared to others he’s had leading up to Thursday night’s NBA Draft.

“This might be honestly kind of on the lower part of how I did,” Jackson told reporters after the workout. “I think that’s kind of just fatigue kicking in and things like that.”

It wasn’t like Jackson was bad on Monday, going 16-of-25 from beyond the arc, but he didn’t display the level of efficiency that he expects to when he steps onto the court. That speaks to the confidence of a player who shot just 29 percent in his first two seasons at North Carolina before drastically improving his three-point shooting to 37 percent as a junior.

Jackson was joined in Portland by Oregon’s Jordan Bell, California sophomore Ivan Rabb, Kansas State forward Wesley Iwundu, New Orleans wing Erik Thomas and international big man Isaiah Hartenstein.

Apparently, the Trailblazers’ front office was especially interested in their final grouping before the draft, given that Blazers owner Paul Allen and vice chairman Bert Kolde were both courtside to watch the practice.

There’s no doubt that NBA owners and general managers are interested in Jackson’s ability and impressed by his improvement on both the offensive and defensive ends of the court. And while there’s no telling where he’ll be headed after Thursday night, it stands to reason that the Trailblazers are considering spending the 15th overall pick to acquire the 6-foot-8, 210-pound wing.

Related Story: Danny Green on the trading block?

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