Pacers Report Cards: Grading every Pacers player at season's end
By Mueez Azfar
Isaiah Jackson
Stats: 59 Games, 13.1 MPG, 6.5 PPG, 4 RPG, 0.8 APG, 0.6 SPG, 1.0 BPG, 0.7 TOV, 2.3 FPG 66.5/0/71.6 Splits on 68.9% TS
2022-23 Stats: 63 Games, 16.5 MPG, 7.2 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 0.8 APG, 0.5 SPG, 1.5 BPG, 0.8 TOV, 2.4 FPG 56.3/14.3/65.1 Splits on 59.5% TS
When we last checked up on Isaiah Jackson, he was making the most of his time on the floor. Despite a career-low in minutes, he was making them count, averaging close to seven points and four rebounds on 65% from the field.
Half a season later, and that has remained mostly the same. Jackson has not been able to get big minutes this season, due to being foul-prone and some boneheaded moments, but he has made every minute on the floor count.
This can be seen in his per-36 stats, as he averages 17.9 points and 11 rebounds along with 2.8 blocks per 36 minutes. However, we also see his fatal flaw here, as he also averages 6.4 fouls. Because of this, Jackson cannot be trusted to play big minutes just yet, however, he is young and has plenty of time to change that.
As it stands, Indiana is a much improved defensive team with Jackson on the floor, and he has provided plenty of big highlights to his name, including an impressive block on Victor Wembanyama early in the season.
Isaiah Jackson is a unique case as a player, as he is a youngster with plenty of upside and skill to provide, but his own discipline issues do not allow him to get consistent playing time. Similar to Danny Fortson back in the 2000s Sonics days, if Isaiah Jackson can get his act together and foul less, he will be a starting-caliber center in this league in no time.
For now, Jackson will get a good grade. He made every one of the 771 minutes he got and left everything on the floor, even coming through as a starter when the team needed it. He is also a player Indiana should look to keep going forward and if it is between him or Jalen Smith, I would recommend keeping Jackson.