Jett Howard's draft projection is trending in the right direction. The Michigan Wolverines freshman forward, one of the country's most impressive wings as a lethal 3-point shooter, declared for the 2023 NBA draft on Thursday.
Listed at 6-foot-8, Jett is the son of former NBA player and current Michigan coach Juwan Howard. Throughout this NCAA season, Howard showcased his intriguing upside as a multi-level scorer. He's an intelligent player who plays the game with great poise and awareness.
Howard is smooth, gliding around the floor and giving defenders headaches with his ability to score from anywhere. When it comes to movement shooting prospects, Howard will have his name mentioned as one of the best.
Michigan Wolverines freshman Jett Howard's draft projection
Michigan Wolverines wing Jett Howard is expected to be a lottery pick for the 2023 NBA draft. At one point this year, Howard found himself in the conversation to be a top 10 pick, due to his impressive upside on offense.
Howard possesses a dangerous shooting ability. He can run off screens and get his shot off rapidly, presenting challenges for defenses given his height. But Howard also has the ability to be a dangerous threat off the ball as well. It can be as a cutter or as a catch-and-shoot weapon, but Howard has the tools to be a dangerous asset at the NBA level.
Jett was having a strong season until ankle injuries in the second half of the season saw his effectiveness slip. He's expected to be out for a month while he recovers from the ankle injuries, according to ESPN NBA draft analyst Jonathan Givony.
Howard averaged 14.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game this year. He shot 41.4% from the field, 36.8% from three-point range and 80.0% from the free-throw line.
His bloodlines could intrigue teams as well. Juwan Howard played 19 NBA seasons, including one season as an All-Star and two championships with the Miami Heat late in his career.
Jett Howard will be a popular name to monitor throughout the predraft process. He's a gifted scorer with great size who projects to be a dynamic offensive weapon for years to come. If teams are convinced that his defensive ability can develop, Howard could find himself climbing boards towards the top 10 of the NBA draft.
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