Free Agency Analysis: Justinian Jessup to The Hawks

With free agency underway, NBL Media’s Liam Santamaria is taking a look at each and every signing and breaking down what it all means ahead of #NBL21.

Signing Snapshot: Justinian Jessup to The Hawks

Signed by: The Hawks

The deal: Two year ‘Next Stars’ contract.

Age: 22

2019-20 team: Boise State University

2019-20 stats (per game): 16.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.4 steals, 42.6 FG%, 39.7 3P%, 95.9 FT%

Projected role: Sharp-shooting back-up wing.

Quote: “I’m excited about playing for Coach Goorjian and all the young guys on the team. LaMelo playing last year was huge for the league and brought a lot of exposure (for the NBL) and I know it’s going to be tough competition which I’m really looking forward to.” – Justinian Jessup

My take: This is a big ol’ win for the Hawks.

Jessup is a highly skilled, sweet-shooting lefty with four years of college ball under his belt. So, to add him as a Next Star… outside of their import quota… that’s an absolute W.

How’d they get it done? Well, with this year’s NBA Draft delayed until mid-October and uncertainty surrounding college hoops, the NBL is looking to take advantage by recruiting draft-eligible NCAA prospects as Next Stars. That includes recent grads; guys who have just completed their senior season and are a reasonable chance of being drafted later this year. It’s certainly a unique situation and the Hawks, with this signing, are the first team to pounce on the opportunity.

As far as the draft’s concerned, most analysts have Jessup going undrafted but there are some who consider him an outside chance of being picked up. Sam Vecenie from The Athletic, for example, published a mock last week that had him selected by the Pellies at the end of the second round, thanks to his elite shooting and potential as a draft-and-stash option.

At 6’7, Jessup has good size for a wing and, while not particularly athletic, he’s an engaged defender who works hard both on and off the ball. Down the other end, he’s an absolute marksman. He launched over six three-point attempts a game across his career at Boise State and knocked down 41 percent of those looks. He works hard off the ball to get open but he also has some nifty dribble moves he uses to create separation, including a crafty step-back. Looking at his entire skillset, I see shades of Detroit Pistons guard Luke Kennard in his game.

As for his role, I suspect Jessup will initially play as a sixth man for the Hawks, with Tyler Harvey, Justin Simon and Deng Adel starting ahead of him on the perimeter. He’ll be good though – a reliable, no-nonsense contributor at both ends of the floor – and his addition is the latest in a string of impressive signings by the Hawks’ new regime.