Justin Jackson is in the NBA’s most star-studded draft class.

Did you catch what Celtics GM Danny Ainge said about being stood up for a workout by a prospect after a cross-country flight to Sacramento? When asked what he did, Ainge said “Well, there is nothing to do out there so we got back on a plane and flew home.”

Based on the reception Justin Jackson and his three NBA draft classmates received in Sacramento, going to Kings games in the future may be the must-do thing in California’s capital city. JJ joins Kentucky bullet guard De’Aaron Fox, Duke’s Harry Giles and Kansas tough-guy guard Frank Mason in what all pundits are calling one of the best draft classes. Some are calling it the best.

Kings head coach Dave Joerger may be a relative unknown, but he has added four big-time names to his roster and hopefully they will all pan out. The quartet has similarities from their college experiences, especially this past season, when two of them faced each of the others and two almost did.

Fox was debated as the best point guard in the draft, although UCLA’s Lonzo Ball went to the Lakers. It is hard to believe Fox won’t be a jet-propelled star in the NBA with his quickness on the break and penetration. He certainly showed that in two games against the Tar Heels last season and one versus Kansas.

Jackson, of course, is considered a versatile pro prospect as either a big guard, small forward or, in some cases, a stretch four man. He will have to continue improving his outside shooting, especially from NBA range, but his defense is superb and his floater from the baseline will become as big a favorite out there as it did here.

Giles is the big question mark. After being tabbed a number one draft prospect two years ago before undergoing his second knee operation, Giles is a big name with a wait-and-see upside. He hasn’t played much basketball the last two years, missing his senior season in high school and playing sparingly at Duke, where he faced UNC three times and Kansas once.

KU’s Mason may be a second-round pick, but he will make the Kings based on his incredible will that took him from a mid-major prospect to national player of the year. He is being called “the steal of the draft” and has every bit a chance to star for the Kings as his three rookie teammates. Sacramento may be hopping pretty soon.

(Photo: GoHeels.com)

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