I know, I know, the normal caveats apply but I really shouldn't have to say that. Anyone who takes a game like this and attempts to extrapolate anything about a player's freshman season or whole career is asking to be wrong more times than not. After all James Michael McAdoo was once MVP on this game which included him hitting three pointers.
Anyway, the impressive thing about Jackson in this game was how closely he resembled what the scouting reports said about him. The word on Jackson is efficiency and going 11-14 for 23 points is the very definition of that. The key to Jackson's high field goal percentage is he took and made easy shots. Almost all of his shots were at the rim because he put himself in a position for a putback or to receive a pass for an easy look. He did hit one 12-foot jumper on the baseline and also nailed a three. Outside of those shots it was a matter of being in the right place at the right time and then converting those chances. Of course on the heels of the great missed layups epidemic this past season, anyone connected to the program making shots withing three feet of the rim is a welcome sight.
Despite Jackson's best efforts, his and Theo Pinson's East team fell to Joel Berry's West team 105-102. Unofficially Joel Berry ended up with seven points and four assists. Theo Pinson had three points which included one fairly authoritative dunk in transition. Pinson also had three assists.
Jackson was named co-MVP alongside Duke commit Jahlil Okafor. Jackson also received the John Daly Sportsmanship Award.
McDonald's AA game MVPs Justin Jackson & Jahlil Okafor pic.twitter.com/f8FfvX5Pa8
— Evan Daniels (@EvanDaniels) April 3, 2014
