- IndianaMichiganOhio
Waterford Mott’s Isaiah Jackson leads players from SC! three-state footprint taken in NBA Draft
Through the first round of the 2021 NBA Draft, only one player from the STATE CHAMPS! three-state footprint — Ohio, Michigan and Indiana — was selected, while two more followed in the second round.
The first player drafted from the footprint — Kentucky forward Isaiah Jackson — is a bit unique, in that he played for high schools in both Michigan and Ohio. After playing one year each at Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest and Old Redford in Michigan, the Pontiac native spent one season at SPIRE Academy in Geneva, Ohio, along with Rocket Watts and LaMelo Ball. He’d return to Michigan for his final season — one eventually cut short in the playoffs by the COVID-19 pandemic — at Waterford Mott.
After averaging 8.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game in his only season at Kentucky, earning All-SEC Defensive Team and Rookie Team honors, Jackson was drafted with the No. 22 pick in the first round, by the Los Angeles Lakers.
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Here are all the picks from the three-state footprint:
• Isaiah Jackson, F, Kentucky — Waterford (Mich.) Mott HS
DRAFTED — Round 1, pick No. 22 (Lakers) >> traded to Pacers
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• Miles McBride, G, West Virginia — Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller HS
DRAFTED — Round 2, pick No. 36 (Thunder)
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• Isaiah Livers, F, Michigan — Kalamazoo (Mich.) Central HS
DRAFTED — Round 2, pick No. 42 (Pistons)
