Nothing humbles a lifelong basketball prodigy quite like finally reaching the NBA only to find out that combination of athleticism and skills that helped you dominate in high school and college isn’t nearly as effective anymore.

In his first year as a professional, after leaving Kansas, Josh Jackson improved greatly over the course of the lengthy regular season, garnering a spot on the NBA’s All-Rookie second team.

Still, Phoenix’s No. 4 overall pick in the 2017 draft said recently his summer plans involve spending “a lot” of hours at the gym, because he wants to get stronger, add some muscle weight and work on improving his ball-handling.

“I think this year I had a lot of

turnovers where I was just dribbling

and lost the ball,” Jackson shared in

a video interview for the Suns’

website. “A lot of times where I just

took a look at myself and the other

guys on the court, and I’m like, ‘Wow.

These guys are a lot stronger than me.

This needs to change.'”

While his mistakes, especially those that resulted from being overpowered, might stick out in his mind, high turnover rates are common for high profile rookies, because they typically play for bad teams and are asked to carry much of the offense at a young age (Jackson turned 21 in February).

Jackson turned the ball over 1.9 times a game, which ranked seventh-highest among first-year players. But the six rookies with worse averages — Ben Simmons (3.4), Dennis Smith Jr. (2.8), Donovan Mitchell (2.7), Lonzo Ball (2.6), De’Aaron Fox (2.4) and Milos Teodosic (2.2) — carried greater ball-handling responsibilities for their teams.

A 6-foot-8 forward who got off to a slow start as a pro, averaging 8.8 points in November and 8.7 in December, Jackson finished his rookie campaign starting 35 of 77 games for the Suns. His 13.1 points per game ranked 7th among rookies, and Jackson was among the best first-year players in steals (1.0 per game, 5th), shooting (41.7% FGs, 6th) and rebounding (4.6, 9th).

JJ among the rooks!

Looking back at his first go-round, Jackson understands why strength and conditioning workouts will have to become a staple of his off-season.

“Before that all-star break

(mid-February) I think I was probably

the most tired I’ve ever been in my

life. I was literally gasping for air.

But I made it through. I made it

through,” Jackson repeated. “I’m happy

I’ve got one NBA season under my belt

and I see what it’s like now. It’s a

long stretch. You’ve gotta take care

of your body and you’ve always gotta

be prepared and ready to play.”

Perhaps his most memorable initiation to the reality of the NBA came at the end of one of his best individual showings. Jackson capped a 27-point night (13-for-24 shooting) at Houston late in the season by knocking down a 17-foot, go-ahead jumper with less than two seconds left.

Jackson thought he won the game for Phoenix, and that belief “lasted maybe about 15 seconds,” because the Rockets’ Gerald Green made a 3-pointer on the other end.

Off the court, Jackson had to get the hang of the NBA’s rigors, as well.

“I knew about the 82 games. I knew it

was gonna be hard. What I didn’t know

was about the travel schedule. I

didn’t really put that into

perspective,” he admitted.

Playing in Phoenix or some other city, getting on a plane afterward and playing in another city the next night took some getting used to, as did so much flying for someone who is afraid of heights.

“Sometimes after a game I just want to

go home, lay down and go to sleep, but

you can’t,” Jackson said, adding he’s

trying to find ways to fall asleep on

planes. “I still haven’t figured it

out yet.”

Even though the Suns went 21-61 (worst in the NBA) during his rookie year, Jackson is optimistic about the franchise’s future. The team is likely to build around him, Devin Booker and the upcoming No. 1 pick in the draft — possibly Deandre Ayton or Luka Doncic.

“I honestly can’t believe my rookie

season has come to an end this quick,

but I had a lot of fun this year,”

Jackson said. “Obviously we had kind

of a tough season, but I enjoyed all

the guys this year, the coaching

staff, and I’m excited for next year,

getting to work with these guys this

summer and see what we can bring to

the table next year.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okhgNRkIz-c

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