Isaiah Jackson (basketball)

Isaiah Ju'mar Jackson (born January 10, 2002) is an American professional basketball player for the Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats. He was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the 2021 NBA draft before being traded to the Pacers.

Isaiah Jackson

Jackson with the Indiana Pacers in 2022
No. 22 – Indiana Pacers
Position	Center/Power Forward
League	NBA
Personal information
Born	(2002-01-10) January 10, 2002 (age 23) Pontiac, Michigan, U.S.
Listed height	6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Listed weight	205 lb (93 kg)
Career information
High school	Lutheran Northwest (Rochester Hills, Michigan) Old Redford Academy (Detroit, Michigan) SPIRE Academy (Geneva, Ohio) Waterford Mott (Waterford, Michigan)
College	Kentucky (2020–2021)
NBA draft	2021: 1st round, 22nd overall pick
Drafted by	Los Angeles Lakers
Playing career	2021–present
Career history
2021-present	Indiana Pacers
2021-2023	→Fort Wayne Mad Ants
Career highlights
SEC All-Defensive Team (2021) SEC All-Freshman Team (2021)
Stats at NBA.com
Stats at Basketball Reference

High school career

As a freshman, Jackson played basketball for Lutheran Northwest High School in Rochester Hills, Michigan. He moved to Old Redford Academy in Detroit for his sophomore season.^[1] As a junior, Jackson competed for SPIRE Academy in Geneva, Ohio alongside LaMelo Ball and his Old Redford teammate Rocket Watts.^[2] He averaged 14.9 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. For his senior season, he transferred to Waterford Mott High School in Waterford, Michigan.^[3] Jackson averaged 19.1 points, 13 rebounds and 7.7 blocks per game as a senior.^[4] He was named to the Jordan Brand Classic roster.^[5]

Recruiting

Considered a five-star recruit by Rivals, Jackson committed to playing college basketball for Kentucky over offers from Alabama and Syracuse.^[6]

College recruiting information

Name	Hometown	School	Height	Weight	Commit date
Isaiah Jackson PF	Pontiac, MI	Waterford Mott (MI)	6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)	200 lb (91 kg)	Nov 16, 2019
	Recruit ratings: Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:    (89)
Overall recruit ranking:    Rivals: 28    247Sports: 34    ESPN: 34
Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, On3, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "Kentucky 2020 Basketball Commitments". Rivals. Retrieved May 9, 2021. "2020 Kentucky Wildcats Recruiting Class". ESPN. Retrieved May 9, 2021. "2020 Team Ranking". Rivals. Retrieved May 9, 2021.

College career

On December 1, 2020, Jackson recorded seven points, 12 rebounds and a career-high eight blocks in a 65–62 loss to seventh-ranked Kansas at the Champions Classic. He had the most single-game blocks by a Kentucky player since Willie Cauley-Stein in 2013.^[7] As a freshman, Jackson averaged 8.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and an SEC-high 2.6 blocks per game, earning SEC All-Defensive and All-Freshman Team honors.^[8] On March 17, 2021, he declared for the 2021 NBA draft while maintaining his college eligibility.^[9] He later signed with an agent, forgoing his remaining eligibility.^[10]

Professional career

Indiana Pacers (2021–present)

Jackson was selected with the 22nd pick of the 2021 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Lakers and then traded to the Indiana Pacers.^[11] On October 23, he made his NBA debut, scoring one point in two minutes of action during a 102–91 overtime win over the Miami Heat.^[12] On January 31, 2022, Jackson logged a career-high 26 points, alongside ten rebounds and two blocks, in a 122–116 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.^[13]

Jackson tore his Achilles tendon on November 1, 2024 against the New Orleans Pelicans, ending his season.^[14]

Career statistics

Legend

GP	Games played	GS	Games started	MPG	Minutes per game
FG%	Field goal percentage	3P%	3-point field goal percentage	FT%	Free throw percentage
RPG	Rebounds per game	APG	Assists per game	SPG	Steals per game
BPG	Blocks per game	PPG	Points per game	Bold	Career high

NBA

Regular season

Year	Team	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
2021–22	Indiana	36	15	15.0	.563	.313	.682	4.1	.3	.7	1.4	8.3
2022–23	Indiana	63	12	16.5	.563	.143	.651	4.5	.8	.5	1.5	7.2
2023–24	Indiana	59	3	13.1	.665	.000	.716	4.0	.8	.6	1.0	6.5
2024–25	Indiana	5	1	16.8	.609	—	.500	5.0	1.0	.6	1.6	7.0
Career		164	31	14.9	.595	.206	.671	4.3	.7	.6	1.3	7.1

Playoffs

Year	Team	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
2024	Indiana	15	0	10.2	.535	—	.611	3.2	.5	.2	.9	3.8
Career		15	0	10.2	.535	—	.611	3.2	.5	.2	.9	3.8

College

Year	Team	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
2020–21	Kentucky	25	18	20.8	.540	.000	.700	6.6	.7	.8	2.6	8.4