MILWAUKEE, WI (WSAU) – The Milwaukee Bucks selected UConn standout guard Andre Jackson Jr. not long after ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the team was trading for the 36th overall pick.
Milwaukee gave up a 2030 second-round pick in the deal, which will not be finalized until after the draft.
Andre Jackson Jr., who played three seasons for the UConn Huskies, won a national championship with the team this past season. He started every game they played in during the NCAA Tournament as a co-captain, and started 31 of his 36 games throughout his career. The 6’6″ with a 6’10” wingspan player, who is 21 years old, averaged 6.0 PPG, 5.8 RPG, and 3.5 APG in his college career.
Andre Jackson Jr bringing defensive intensity to the Milwaukee #Bucks pic.twitter.com/7yd2p3SVtr
— Lily Zhao (@LilySZhao) June 23, 2023
Several teams reportedly “red-flagged” Jackson due to multiple meniscus injuries during his time in college but Jackson was still considered one of the best defensive players in the draft.
The Bucks also selected Kentucky freshman guard Chris Livingston 58th overall. The Athletic reported that Livingston’s agent told teams not to draft him after finding what he believed was the perfect fit in Milwaukee. Livingston started 26 career games at Kentucky and made the SEC All-Freshman Team while averaging 6.3 points and 4.2 rebounds per game.
Despite Milwaukee not having a first-round pick, both Jackson Jr and Livingston can contribute and compete for playing time right away for the Bucks.
