Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from blowout win over Minnesota
1. Jaren Jackson Jr.’s maturity is impressive
The maturity of Jaren Jackson Jr. is growing and it’s more impressive than originally thought. The freshman big man had one of the worst games of his young career on Saturday against No. 3 Purdue, scoring just two points and recording four fouls and a turnover. He was just 1-for-6 from the field.
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On Tuesday night, he proved his maturity. He finished with 27 points, six rebounds, three assists and three blocks. Not many young players can have their worst game and then turn around three days later to piece together their career-best. Jackson Jr.’s maturity allowed him to do that.
The mindset of not letting things spiral out of control isn’t an easy one to obtain for freshmen, but Jackson Jr. has the mental strength to put poor performances behind him. He scores two points one night with four fouls and then scores 27 then next with no fouls — that’s pretty rare.
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We all knew Jackson Jr. was a unicorn. He’s one of the most unique players at the collegiate level and there’s a reason scouts look at him as a potential top-five pick in the upcoming NBA draft. Besides being an incredible athlete who can shoot, block shots and run the floor, he’s mature beyond his years.