[The following scouting report is part of a series on potential 2023 draft prospects from Sports Business Classroom alumni.]

Trayce Jackson-Davis
Frame: 6’9″ 240 lbs
Position: Forward
Team: Indiana
2023 Draft Age: 23
Stats via www.sports-reference.com

Offense

Jackson-Davis excels as a scorer in the post, using power and finesse. He uses his size to back down players but can also go to multiple counters like spin moves or facing up his defender to attack. His ability to finish with his right hand has also improved this year.

On 322 attempts at the rim, Jackson-Davis converted 66.1 percent while being assisted on 54 percent of these shots this year, per www.barttorvik.com. His face-up game has grown, as he uses crossovers to get past big men and finish at the rim.

Jackson-Davis can run the break after grabbing a defensive rebound and finish or find his teammates leaking out. He has developed a solid floater with his left hand when he can’t get to the rim. He has a soft touch and gets it off with his long wingspan, even when contested. On 128 attempts Jackson-Davis made 38.3 percent of them while only being assisted on 38.8 percent of these shots.

Jackson-Davis also took a leap as a facilitator. He did a better job operating as a hub out the post, finding cutters for layups around the rim or open shooters on the perimeter. He improved as a passer out of the short roll and had an excellent two-man game with his frontcourt peers, frequently delivering passes right where only they could get it when operating in this area. 

Moving without the ball in his hands has always been a part of Jackson-Davis’ skill set offensively. He fills open areas on the floor with his larger frame, has solid timing on the offensive glass and a quick second jump that gives him an advantage. He also gets out in transition and uses his speed and athleticism to get easy baskets. Jackson-Davis had a career-high 24.8 assist percentage this past season, averaging four assists. 

The most significant hole in Jackson-Davis’ game is undoubtedly his jump shot. Throughout his four-year career at Indiana, Jackson-Davis attempted three field goals from the perimeter. His form on free throws doesn’t suggest much room for improvement, either. His shooting hand doesn’t extend at any point in his shot, while his left elbow pokes out noticeably. He hit 69.5 percent from the line and 67.6 percent on average throughout his collegiate career.

Defense

Jackson-Davis’ most significant strength is his rim protection, specifically his weak side rim protection. He has incredible timing in attempting to block shots and does so without fouling. He uses his size and athleticism to go straight up to contest shots, probing the vicinity of the rim when opposing players are near the paint. He does this in transition, tracking down layups to pin against the rim. His 9.0 block percentage and 2.9 blocks per game this past season stand out.

Jackson-Davis is a stout defensive rebounder whose timing and touch on the glass shine through. He can use his size to secure contested rebounds amongst other big men and forwards but can also tip balls to spots that only he can get to. His defensive rebounding allowed Indiana to get out in transition and played a factor in the team’s offense. He posted a 24.7 defensive rebound percentage and averaged 8.0 defensive rebounds per game this season. 

His versatility on-ball as a defender is another strength, with quick feet, great size, and disciplined hands to cause problems for perimeter players. Jackson-Davis can come to the ball screen and guard ball handlers or wings for entire possessions.

He needs to be more consistent as a post-defender (less of an issue against similar-sized forwards), struggling against true big men with a height advantage.

Looking Ahead

Jackson-Davis has clear strengths and glaring weaknesses that cloud his future in the NBA. He is versatile on both sides of the court, which could interest teams looking for a Swiss Army Knife-type player. But his inability to space the floor, questionable position at the next level, older age, and struggles guarding big men hurt his projection at the next level. 

Jackson-Davis projects to be a Brandon Clarke-like player with a unique and valuable skill set off the bench for a team. How much he can improve will determine if he’s an NBA-caliber player.