With just over a week left until the 2017 NBA Draft, the Chicago Bulls continue to do their homework on prospects.
The latest came on Monday when the team hosted prospects Justin Jackson and Jarrett Allen for workouts.
According to the Chicago Tribune’s K.C. Johnson, both players were in Chicago for workouts and are potential picks for the Bulls in the first round.
Chicago holds the 16th and 38th overall picks in the upcoming draft.
Jackson tested the draft waters in 2016 but decided to return to the University of North Carolina for his junior year. The decision paid off.
The wing improved his three-point shooting percentage and became a better overall scorer. He won the 2017 ACC Player of the Year award and helped lead UNC to its sixth national title.
Following the workout, Jackson spoke with Johnson via phone and had this to say:
“It was probably one of my best workouts as far as learning and competition. I loved it,” Jackson said. “It was intense. I feel I shot the ball really well.”
He followed that up by praising the Bulls organization and saying he’d love to play for Chicago.
“I’ve definitely seen that trend,” Jackson said. “I didn’t have a conversation with them about it. But I’d love to play for Chicago. The organization is built on greatness.”
The Bulls are looking for a guy who can score the basketball on the wing to take some of the pressure off of Jimmy Butler.
Jackson is a candidate to do so, being mocked at No. 16 to the Bulls in the latest DraftExpress mock draft.
As for Allen, the 6-foot-10 big man is an interesting prospect for the Bulls.
He could fill a big void in the paint and be paired alongside a player like Bobby Portis for the future. The 19-year-old shot 56 percent for the Texas Longhorns last season and can score in the low post. His 7-5 1/4 wingspan is very impressive for a center.
Allen is currently projected to go No. 17 overall in the draft.
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