Trayce Jackson-Davis selected No. 57 overall by Golden State Warriors in NBA Draft

The second member of the Indiana basketball program heard his name called during the 2023 NBA Draft. Trayce Jackson-Davis was selected No. 57 overall on Thursday night by the Golden State Warriors.

His former Indiana teammate, Jalen Hood-Schifino, was selected No. 17 overall in the first round.

Jackson-Davis came back to Indiana after a positive Covid test popped up during the 2022 NBA Draft Combine. That turned out to be a huge turning point in his now-professional career.

This season, he averaged 20.9 points, 10.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.9 blocks per game. He was a consensus First-Team All-American and unanimous First-Team All-Big Ten selection. He was also the Karl Malone Award winner for the top power forward in the country.

Jackson-Davis’ scoring average marked the highest for an Indiana basketball player since Eric Gordon (20.9 points per game in 2007-08). His rebounding average was the highest since Steve Downing (15.1 rebounds per game in 1972-73). Additionally, his blocks per game was the most since Dean Garrett (3.4 blocks per game in 1987-88).

Jackson-Davis is the lone Indiana player in program history to score 2,000+ points and grab 1,000+ rebounds. He is one of only five Big Ten players to accomplish that.

He finished his Indiana career as the program’s all-time leader in rebounds (1,143) and blocked shots (270) and was third in scoring (2,258) and double-doubles (50).

The biggest knock on Jackson-Davis throughout his career was his inability to make — or take — outside shots. He took just three 3s in four seasons, finishing 0-of-3 from three.

“I just listened to what coach Woodson said,” Jackson-Davis told reporters at the NBA Combine. “He never said that I couldn’t shoot, but when I’m close to the rim and I’m shooting 60 to 70 percent from the floor every game, there’s not really a reason for me to go outside and take shots … I thought the team would benefit with me more being inside. It’s not that I couldn’t shoot. It’s more that I didn’t shoot.”

Instead of taking jump shots as a senior, however, he continued to dominate in the post and show he can be a tremendous asset to any NBA team regardless of his shot.

“I think teams were able to see his playmaking and defense take a step, with his PnR (pick and roll) defense previously being a big knock on him he’s probably still inconsistent but above average at this point and every team loves having the ability to play through big’s, especially since most PG’s in the NBA are more combo guards than true PG’s,” an anonymous NBA Scout told HoosierIllustrated.com. “Coaches increasingly appreciate and know how to use versatility at each position, so this gives you someone else on the floor that can make plays for others.

“His rebounding, rim running/rolling and ability to finish at the rim as well as his ability to be a multi-threat playmaker in short rolls and in DHO (dribble hand offs). He may be equally good in all of those areas and I see him being able to translate each of those skills to the next level.”

During the course of the past two years, Jackson-Davis proved to be one of the most improved players in the country.

In his four years at Indiana, Jackson-Davis averaged 17.9 points and 9.1 rebounds in 126 career games.