Notre Dame point guard Demetrius Jackson announced via Instagram Tuesday that he will forego his senior season with the Irish and declare for the NBA draft. The Irish basketball program confirmed this with a tweet of the announcement Tuesday evening.
The university confirmed that Jackson will sign with an agent as he looks ahead to a professional career, Despite this, many notable Notre Dame writers have stated that Jackson could return to the Irish program should he fail to sign with an agent before the draft later this year.
A message from All-ACC honoree, NCAA All-Region Team selection & captain Demetrius Jackson: pic.twitter.com/MfepBIPU7x
— Notre Dame MBB (@NDmbb) March 30, 2016
Jackson, a 6-1, 201 pound native of Mishawaka, IN, has been an integral part of the basketball program over the past three years. He helped Notre Dame to it’s first-ever ACC championship as well as consecutive Elite Eight appearances. Jackson has averaged 11.7 points over three years in an Irish uniform.
The guard finishes his career with Notre Dame after a 26-point showing in Notre Dame’s Elight Eight loss to North Carolina, 88-74. Jackson was 10-for-16 from the field with a 3-for-7 mark from beyond the arc in the loss.
Jackson was crucial to Notre Dame’s Elite Eight appearance, getting a last second tip-in against Stephen F. Austin followed by a critical steal in the closing moments of the Sweet 16 matchup against Wisconsin.
Demetrius Jackson averaged 15.8 points per game and shot 45-percent through the 2015-16 season for Notre Dame. He leaves earning All-ACC honors and a selection to the NCAA All-Region team.
Notre Dame Head Coach Mike Brey tweeted in support of Jackson’s decision Tuesday night.
“Great decision by DJ (and) I fully support it,” the tweet said. “He’s maxed out his college experience (and) is ready for challenge of NBA.”
BRIEF ANALYSIS
Demetrius Jackson is definitely an NBA-caliber talent, but there’s a feeling that he should stay with the program for his senior season. During Notre Dame’s ACC title run, he played behind Jerian Grant and Pat Connaughton, both in the NBA now with the Knicks and Trailblazers, respectively. This year, he was seen as one of two stars alongside senior Zach Auguste. But, in most cases, Auguste outshined the junior through much of the year.
Jackson could benefit from a final year under Brey, but he does leave with a trio of great games under his belt in the NCAA Tournament, as mentioned above. Despite his size, he has shown the ability to outmaneuver opponents larger than himself and put up some impressive shots.
He could – and will – aid an NBA team with points off the bench, but it’s unlikely he will be picked up in the first round.
Regardless, The Pit is honored to have covered Demetrius Jackson over the past two years and wish him success at the next level.
