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Duke in the NBA: Frank Jackson’s intriguing preseason

By Zach De Jong

DURHAM, NC - FEBRUARY 28: Frank Jackson #15 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts after a play during their game against the Florida State Seminoles at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 28, 2017 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC - FEBRUARY 28: Frank Jackson #15 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts after a play during their game against the Florida State Seminoles at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 28, 2017 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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Frank Jackson was a toss-up as a one-and-done college basketball player, but his decision to head to the NBA seems to be the right one.

As a freshman at Duke, Frank Jackson was able to tally up 10.9 points, 1.7 assists, and 2.5 rebounds.

The six-foot-three-inches point guard from Alpine, Utah was selected in the 2017 Draft by the Charlotte Hornets with the 1st pick in the second round. The Hornets however, traded Jackson to the New Orleans Pelicans.

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Although Jackson missed his rookie season to a foot injury, he looks to bounce back in the 2018-2019 season.

Sadly, Jackson’s entire rookie year was missed due to a foot injury. In an article this September by Jim Eichenhofer, Jackson explained his missed rookie year:

"“Last season was rough because I couldn’t play, but at the same time I took so much out of it, seeing how the NBA works, honestly. Guys who are fresh in the league this year can’t know, but I do, because I have that vision. I know what practices look like. I know what training camp is going to look like, just from being there last year. I will really be able to tell (how important it was) at the end of this season, but right now I have an understanding of what’s coming. I’m not going in blind. It’s an advantage.”"

So far this preseason when Jackson has been given opportunities he has looked intriguing. Jackson has played well in three out of the five preseason games. He currently averages 16.4 minutes, 9.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, and shooting 44.9% from the floor in the 2018-2019 NBA preseason.

The Duke product also looked very strong during his time in the NBA Las Vegas Summer League before he had to exit the Pelicans first game because of an ankle sprain. In 13 minutes, Jackson tallied 13 points, six rebounds, one assist, and one steal. Jackson did not return for the remained of the Las Vegas Summer League as a precaution.

The New Orleans Pelicans only have one preseason game left against the Toronto Raptors before the regular season starts. The season opener is on Wednesday, October 17 at the Houston Rockets.

Jackson appears to be battling for the backup point guard job as Elfrid Payton and Jrue Holiday will be the assumed starters heading into the season.

With Jackson’s experience from essentially sitting out his first year in the NBA, he looks to take full advantage of the opportunities that lie ahead of him in his rookie season.

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