The waiting game
Draft process tests patience of prospects like Jackson and parents
Lloyd and Sharon Jackson are at peace with whatever happens in the next few weeks.
The two are watching as their son Justin — Houstonian and former star forward for national champion North Carolina — goes through the motions leading up to the 2017 NBA draft.
On Tuesday night, Justin was in New York on hand at the NBA draft lottery, where Boston was awarded the top pick in June’s NBA draft. The Los Angeles Lakers will have the second pick and Philadelphia the third.
Over the next few weeks, Justin will continue the process he and dozens of others go through leading up to the draft.
There’s the combines, the pro days.
The workouts and the interviews with teams.
The constant go, go, go for weeks leading up to one night.
One June 22, he will sit in Brooklyn at the Barclays Center waiting for his name to be called at the NBA draft.
His parents are also eager to see what will happen for their son.
“This is definitely an interesting process,” Lloyd said. “It’s different. It’s a waiting game.”
The Jacksons went through the recruiting process together while Justin was playing in local AAU and for HCYA.
Justin had offers from several big-time programs, including Virginia, Ohio State and Washington. He ultimately chose North Carolina, where he played three seasons.
Prepping for the draft is a lot different than the recruiting process.
Lloyd often talks to Justin as well as to his son’s agent.
He offers encouragement and waits for updates. And waits. And waits some more. The end result will be Justin being drafted in the first round — most experts have him sitting around the No. 15 spot.
Lloyd doesn’t worry much about it. He is beyond proud of his son. He has seen what most people don’t.
The practice, the preparation, the long days.
“I know the kind of work ethic he has,” Lloyd said. “I know what he has put in, and I know the person he is.”
Lloyd tells his son to remember he is auditioning for his first job.
“You have to trust the fact that you raised him to make good decisions
and to be a good person,” Lloyd said. “We are at peace with that. We can find comfort.”
Jackson, a 6-8 forward, will interview as well or better than any other prospect in the draft. He’s well-spoken, has a high basketball IQ and remains humble. He also has the skills on the court to contribute at the next level.
Like many parents, Lloyd and Sharon didn’t spend much time thinking about if he would play professionally.
“Sure, it was a dream, but we were worried about his education and him growing up healthy and happy,” Lloyd said. “We weren’t thinking about him playing in the NBA. We knew he was good at basketball.”
They are the stark opposite of LaVar Ball through this process. They’ve remained quiet and out of the spotlight, letting Justin’s interviews and play on the basketball court speak for him.
“He only needs one team to take a chance on him.” Lloyd said.
The Jacksons aren’t the only Houston-area family playing the waiting game.
De’Aaron Fox — a standout from Cypress Lakes who just completed his freshman year at Kentucky — is projected to be a top-five pick.
The two will join other NBA players from Houston like Kelly Oubre, Justise Winslow, Andrew Harrison, Jimmy Butler and DeAndre Jordan.
Jarrett Allen from Austin and Terrance Ferguson from Dallas also should be picked in the first round next month.
Texas might be a football state, but its basketball talent can’t be ignored.
“It’s great for the state,” Lloyd said. “You can’t sleep on basketball here.”
Texas will continue to be well-represented in the NBA thanks to this year’s draft class.
And more talent will keep coming.
For now, this year’s prospects will keep working toward their goal.
They’ll interview and run sprints, jump, go through workouts and hope for the best.
In the meantime, their families will wait.
“It will be here soon,” Lloyd said. “We are on the edge of our seats.”