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Josh Jackson's off-court problems could give Sixers pause in NBA draft

The Kansas swingman has been in some trouble, but many say he's not a bad person.

Many NBA mock drafts have the Philadelphia 76ers taking Kansas forward Josh Jackson with the No. 3 pick.
Many NBA mock drafts have the Philadelphia 76ers taking Kansas forward Josh Jackson with the No. 3 pick.Read moreCharlie Riedel/AP

By now, several of Josh Jackson's highlight reels have gone viral.

Folks have seen the Kansas swingman seemingly come out of nowhere to block a shot. They've seen his athletic moves in transition leading up to thunderous dunks.

They know that Jackson would be an excellent addition for the 76ers, who worked him out Friday in Sacramento, Calif.

However, they don't know the type of person the 19-year-old  is off the court.

Based on published reports, it seems Jackson has a knack for getting himself into  tough situations. People who know him, however,  say that's far from the case.

Before his junior year of high school, Jackson moved from Detroit to California to attend Justin-Siena High School in Napa and play for Prolific Prep, a basketball academy. Instead of playing for his high school, he would leave the school after classes to train and compete with the academy.

"We had Josh for two years and we never had any instances involving violence for anything of reckless behavior. Zero," said Jeremy Russotti, the founder of Prolific Prep.

"I will say this. Josh is very loyal to his teammates. So as he rises up and plays at higher levels — college and professional — he's going to be around more situations where his loyalty might be tested."

His loyalty is part of the reason Jackson must attend anger management classes, write a letter of apology, and stop using alcohol or recreational drugs for a year. All of this is part of a diversion agreement because of a confrontation with Kansas women's basketball player McKenzie Calvert. Jackson pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor count of criminal property damage after his argument with Calvert on Dec. 9 outside a bar in Lawrence.

Jackson signed a "stipulation of facts" that said he followed Calvert out of the bar after she threw a drink on his Kansas teammate and Calvert's ex-boyfriend, Lagerald Vick. Calvert reportedly said she did so because Vick was with his new girlfriend. Jackson admitted to yelling at Calvert and calling her names before she got into her vehicle. Jackson also said he kicked her vehicle, "breaking the left rear taillight and denting the driver's door."

"Josh was a third party in that incident and certainly became the focal point of it," Kansas coach Bill Self said. "But he admitted what he did. He certainly tried to correct it and make it right, but obviously that wasn't being heard."

Jackson apologized in a statement and offered to pay for damages he caused after being arrested.

"But the bottom line is Josh made a poor decision at the heat of a moment," Self said. "He certainly paid the consequences for that. He's emotional."

This was just one of a few embarrassing moments for Jackson and the Jayhawks this season, his only one with Kansas.

There was an alleged sexual assault between 10 p.m. Dec. 17 and 5 a.m. Dec. 18 at McCarthy Hall, which houses the basketball team and other male students. The Kansas City Star reported that Jayhawks Frank Mason III, Mitch Lightfoot, Vick, Tucker Vang and Jackson were listed as witnesses in the police report. However, it was never made clear if the five players ever actually knew anything about the case.

"From what I have learned," Self told the Kansas City Star in January, "a witness can be many things, including a person who can potentially provide information, whether an eyewitness or not, or has been present before, during or after an alleged incident.

"All comments moving forward will come from the university or KU police department. If information is brought to us that warrant action at any time, the appropriate action will be taken."

The coach added that zero information was provided that would have warranted player discipline. However, Self suspended Jackson in the Big 12 tournament opener because of a Feb. 2 traffic accident that he told the coach about on March 6. Jackson was cited for three traffic violations for backing into an unattended car and leaving the scene.

This could have been chalked up as an immature action by a teenager because he's not seen as someone who stays in trouble to the people at Prolific Prep.

"For those two years, he won over the community so fast," Russotti said. "Our first football game he went to, he was the mascot. … Josh is just a guy, a team guy that loves kids. … Off the court, he's just a soft-spoken guy. He's not a follower. He's his own guy.

"On the court, of course, we know he's a completely different person."

Self said, "I think Josh will fit in with any team, because he's a guy that does the things that allow a team to be great. Everybody needs somebody that not only can score and rebound and produce, but also make the game easier for the other guys on the court."

Jackson does that because of his high basketball IQ and passing skills. He can also guard four positions on the court.

Self believes he would be a solid fit for the Sixers.

"Oh God," the coach said. "He's the best overall recruit that we ever signed and I ever been around when you combine athletic ability, talent, IQ, thoughts, maturity …

"He was just way above his years."

Bob Cooney’s pros and cons for Sixers drafting Josh Jackson

Pros: He may be ready to be a shut-down defender on the perimeter not long into his rookie season. Not only is he good at it, he loves playing at the defensive end. In time, he may be able to cover 1 through 4. Offensively, Jackson posted decent shooting numbers (55 percent from two-point range, 38 percent from three) with a strange form. He would ideally fit into the Sixers transition game as he is terrific at running the floor and is very good at getting to open spots without the ball.

Cons: Jackson's shooting form may be something the Sixers would see as needing a major overhaul as it has a myriad of mechanical problems. He shot just 57 percent from the foul line this past season, which raises more concerns about technique. If he's not on the move to the basket, scoring could be a problem with deficiencies in shooting off the dribble and out of pick and roll and isolation situations.