2022/23 Basketball Season
Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2022 9:46 amI assume that the team is now practicing. Any updates or comments on how things are progressing. I am curious about this team and its many new faces.
https://www.noceilingsnba.com/p/no-stone-unturned-the-guards
Jaeden Zackery, 6’2”, Third-Year Sophomore, Boston College
2021-2022 Stats: 10.4 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 2.7 APG, 2.0 TOV, 1.7 SPG, 0.2 BPG
2021-2022 Shooting Splits: 46.3/47.7/71.2
Signature Performance: vs. Syracuse (2/8/22). 18 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals. 7-15 FG, 3-9 3FG, 1-1 FT
Tough Test(s) (Games Against Quad-1 Competition):
-vs. Saint Louis. 12 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 turnovers, 3 steals. 5-11 FG, 1-3 3FG, 1-2 FT
-vs. Virginia Tech. 4 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 5 turnovers. 2-5 FG, 0-1 3FG, 0-1 FT
-vs. Wake Forest (1/24/22). 5 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 turnovers, 1 block. 2-7 FG, 1-4 3FG
-vs. North Carolina (1/26/22). 6 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 2 steals, 1 block. 3-11 FG, 0-3 3FG, 0-2 FT
-vs. Duke. 6 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 turnovers, 5 steals, 1 block. 3-8 FG, 0-2 3FG
-vs. Notre Dame. 18 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 turnover. 6-10 FG, 3-4 3FG, 3-3 FT
-vs. Wake Forest (3/9/22). 12 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 turnovers, 1 steal. 3-7 FG, 2-4 3FG, 4-6 FT
What’s Good
Jaeden Zackery was the RKO of college basketball last season— he came from out of nowhere. He spent his first college season at Chipola College, a JuCo in Marianna, Florida. There, he averaged 12.5 PPG, shot 42.0% from three, and was named a Third-Team NJCAA All-American. Zackery then transferred to Boston College. He was given a 2-star rating by VerbalCommits, and there weren’t immediate expectations for him given the depth of the Eagles at the guard positions. By the end of the season, Zackery was the best player on the team.
It starts with the shooting for Jaeden Zackery. He’s deadly off the catch and knocked down 48.4% of his threes in that setting last season, per Synergy. This ranked him in the 98th percentile for eligible players. Mechanically, his jumper looks the same every single time. His right foot is out slightly in front of his left, his feet are shoulder-width apart, and the ball follows a straight path up his body. He gets his shot off in a hurry when needed, too. Zackery’s shooting stretches out the defense and gives him a ready-make skill off the ball for when he is paired with a bigger initiator.
Zackery isn’t just a shooter, though. At 6’2” he’s not the tallest, but his 210-pound frame allows him to fight to his spots effectively. His handle is solid, and he finds smart angles when he needs to get the ball to a teammate. Zackery shifts gears effectively and is able to see multiple options when running a pick-and-roll set. His assist numbers would likely look prettier on a better shooting team, but Boston College finished 305th in Division I for three-point percentage last season. Keep in mind that this is a team who had Jaeden Zackery on it, who hit 47.7% of his threes…and they finished 305th. Not ideal! The player who took the most threes on their team (6.9 3PA/game) converted 25.6% of his attempts, which is a rare mix of volume and inefficiency. Anyway, back to Zackery. He mixes in misdirection and will do little things like rejecting a screen to keep the defense off balance. His dependable first step and ability to turn the corner allow him to function as a catch-and-go rim attacker. Though he’s not the most explosive leaper when he gets to the rim, his brawny physique allows him to absorb contact while his scoring craft allows him to convert. Zackery made 55.6% of his shots at the rim per Synergy, a great starting point for a guard his age.
His defensive impact is tremendous, too. Zackery’s physical profile and mental acuity form a beautiful marriage. He’s able to guard extremely tight on the ball because players can’t get through his chest, he slides his feet well, and he doesn’t get overzealous trying to nab steals. Zackery is quicker than his frame would indicate, making him a threat to get steals off the ball, too. He’ll act aggressively when it benefits him and his team to do so, but he doesn’t make silly mistakes trying to tally box score numbers. Despite not chasing stats, he still averaged 1.9 steals per game during ACC play because he consistently forces ball-handlers into uncomfortable situations.
What Needs Improvement
There isn’t a major fatal flaw in Zackery’s game, but there are a few areas where he could improve. First, he rarely attacks going left. Adding more optionality to how he drives would further open up his playmaking. I’d also like to see him add more to his offensive footwork. Right now, he’s a terror off the catch, but he doesn’t look to capitalize on his shooting off the bounce. Per Synergy, only 15 of his 109 three-point attempts came off the dribble. I’m not advocating that he force looks off the bounce, but setting up defenders with footwork and creating separation to get up clean looks could make him a more dynamic scoring threat. A more complete scoring portfolio would allow him to stand out and add to his offensive versatility. Developing his vertical athleticism would also enable him to be an even more efficient finisher while also making his defensive contests more impactful.
Conclusion
After a strong finish to his first season at Boston College, more eyes will be on Jaeden Zackery. Many of his teammates will be returning, too. Their progression will be heavily tied to the level of attention Zackery receives from NBA Draft fanatics. If the Eagles can’t knock down outside shots, his assist numbers will be worse for it, and he might continue to slide under the radar. Still, Zackery’s building blocks are appealing. He’s a fantastic outside shooter, he reads the floor well, and he provides great defense while never taking a play off. Further improving his craft as a perimeter scorer will be the best way for him to turn heads. An increased offensive load and a few upset wins could land him on the 2023 NBA Draft radar.
