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Nuggets draft Justin Jackson with No. 43 pick, trade him to Magic

Rich Schultz / Getty Images Sport / Getty

With the 43rd pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, the Denver Nuggets selected Maryland forward Justin Jackson. They traded him to the Orlando Magic, along with a future second-round pick, in exchange for No. 41 pick Jarred Vanderbilt, a forward out of Kentucky.

A season-ending shoulder injury in December cut short Jackson's year at just 11 games. He entered his sophomore campaign with expectations of shooting up the draft board after a strong freshman year. His physical profile will be enough to get him a role in the NBA, regardless of his lost season. He hit 43.8 percent from beyond the arc on 3.2 attempts his freshman year and could become an effective 3-and-D player if he returns to top form.

Justin Jackson bio

Position: SF, PF
School: Maryland
College Experience: Sophomore
Height: 6-foot-7
Weight: 230 lbs
Wingspan: 7-foot-3
Max vertical: N/A

What the analysts are saying

  • "The 6-foot-7 combo forward emerged on the NBA radar with a strong freshman season at Maryland, averaging 10.5 points and six rebounds per game while shooting 44 percent from 3-point range, leading him to declare for the 2017 NBA Draft. After a strong showing at the NBA combine last May, he elected to return to school for his sophomore season." - Jonathon Givony, ESPN.

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