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The Collective Charlotte Hornets Bloggers 2018 Mock Draft

By Noah Purser

Luka Doncic #7 of Real Madrid in action during the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Play Offs Game 4 between Real Madrid v Panathinaikos Superfoods Athens at Wizink Center on April 27, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by COOLMedia/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Luka Doncic #7 of Real Madrid in action during the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Play Offs Game 4 between Real Madrid v Panathinaikos Superfoods Athens at Wizink Center on April 27, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by COOLMedia/NurPhoto via Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 03: Jaren Jackson Jr. #2 of the Michigan State Spartans is defended by Isaiah Livers #4 of the Michigan Wolverines during the semifinals of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 3, 2018 in New York City. The Michigan Wolverines defeated the Michigan State Spartans 75-64. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 03: Jaren Jackson Jr. #2 of the Michigan State Spartans is defended by Isaiah Livers #4 of the Michigan Wolverines during the semifinals of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 3, 2018 in New York City. The Michigan Wolverines defeated the Michigan State Spartans 75-64. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /

With the sixth pick in the NBA Draft, the Orlando Magic select Jaren Jackson Jr. from Michigan State University.

The Orlando Magic find themselves with a projected top-three pick and simply can’t pass on the 18-year-old. The third big man off the board is no slouch and will round-out the athletic frontcourt in Orlando.

Jackson Jr. is a 6’11” big man, capable of playing either power forward or center. He has the body and wingspan of a center, but the mobility and lateral quickness to play power forward. Averaging 3 blocks per game, playing and growing as a player alongside Aaron Gordon and Jonothan Isaac will make for a stifling future defense.

One of the youngest players in the class, Jackson Jr. will be a project that has the potential to produce great results. He fits great with the Magic’s plans, as they aren’t exactly looking to win right away.

Other Player(s) Receiving Votes: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (1 Vote) and Trae Young (1 Vote)