“Trayce is an impressive young prospect.”: Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has high hopes for former Indiana basketball star Trayce Jackson-Davis

Former Indiana basketball star forward Trayce Jackson-Davis is less than a month away from getting his NBA career off and running.

Coming off a season where he averaged 20.9 points, 10.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.9 blocks per game while also being selected as consensus First-Team All-American and unanimous First-Team All-Big Ten selection, Jackson-Davis would be selected at No. 57 spot by the Golden State Warriors.

He would agree to four-year deal with the Golden State Warriors during this offseason, with two of those year’s being fully guaranteed. In two Vegas Summer League games, he averaged 16.0 points on 14-of-21 from the field and 8.5 rebounds a game for the Warriors.

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Yes, it was very frustrating for many Indiana basketball fans to see the all-time Hoosiers great continued to be passed over and over on when watching the 2023 NBA Draft, however, where he landed was arguably the best possible situation for him when he was selected by the Warriors.

The Golden State origination is high on the former Indiana basketball forward as a prospect, especially championship head coach Steve Kerr.

“Trayce is an impressive young prospect,” Steve Kerr said to NBCSportsBayArea writer Dalton Johnson Monday at Chase Center. “You don’t see that kind of college experience very often anymore. But you immediately recognize the experience level and the advantage that gives him.”

In today’s NBA, having a stretch forward is something that most teams need. Not only does it open up the offense in normal half court sets, it allows for more versatility during fast breaks. The ability to not only use ball screens for pick and roll opportunities but also pick and pop has increased every single season.

Though Jackson-Davis didn’t shown the ability to be productive in pick and pop situations during his Indiana basketball career, his ability as a passer and rim runner shined.

“What I like about Trayce is he plays the way we like to play — good passer, dribble handoff guy at the top of the key, good screener, gives us a lob threat that we don’t otherwise have, which is a really nice addition,” Kerr added. “And I think he’s just the kind of guy who feels the game well.

“He’s got a good feel for passing, cutting movement. And a lot of the stuff that we already run he runs really well. So Trayce is a really intriguing prospect and will be fun to watch him play.”

Even though he is a rookie, Jackson-Davis enters this season with the chance to crack the frontcourt rotation alongside the likes of Draymond Green and Kevon Looney.

While there is still more development that is needed from Jackson-Davis in the long term, him being a part of an organization that can continue to develop him is just perfect for his NBA career.

“I’m blessed to be in the position I am in,” said Trayce Jackson-Davis earlier this summer. “Having CP3 (Chris Paul), especially just going under wing and showing me the art of the pick-and-roll case he’s mastered that. Having Steph (Curry) and being able to locate guys on my passes and stuff of that nature and how he just spaces the floor will make my life a lot easier. I think it’s going to be huge…same with Klay (Thompson) and Draymond (Green) it’s just all going to be perfect for me, honestly.”

SEE ALSO: Indiana basketball sophomore center Kel’el Ware named one of the top NBA Draft prospects that returned to college

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