June 24, 2016
University of Notre Dame men’s basketball junior guard Demetrius Jackson has been selected by the Boston Celtics in the second round of the 2016 NBA Draft. He is the fifth Notre Dame player selected by the Celtics since the draft began in 1947 and first since Luke Harangody in 2010.
“I am really happy and thankful for the opportunity to continue to do what I love to do,” Jackson said late Thursday night after the announcement of his selection.
“It’s been my dream to play in the NBA and now I get to play. I’m going to have a great coach. I knew Coach (Brad Stevens) when he was at Butler. I am just really looking forward to just getting back to work.”
WATCH: Demetrius Jackson is selected in 2016 NBA Draft Pick by @Celtics
🍀@D_Jay11 is ND’s 3rd pick in 2yrs#NDinNBAhttps://t.co/Cv42JekNlI
— Notre Dame MBB (@NDmbb) June 24, 2016
Jackson was a second-team All-ACC selection by both the league coaches and media in 2015-16, while leading the Irish in scoring (15.8 ppg), assists (164, 4.7 pg) and steals (43, 1.2). He was named to the NCAA All-East Regional Tournament team, capping off his Notre Dame career with a 26-point performance against North Carolina in the regional final, while also pushing the Irish to the Elite Eight with two steals, one of which he then scored off of for the game winning points, in the final seconds of Notre Dame’s 61-56 victory over Wisconsin in the Sweet 16.
Jackson finished his Notre Dame career with 1,204 points (11.7 pg), 335 assists (3.3 pg) and 114 steals (1.1 pg). He averaged over 31 minutes played per game in his career, including 36.0 per game in 2014-15 and 31.5 per game in 2015-16. He finished 40th on the all-time scoring list at Notre Dame, 17th in assists, tied for 17th in steals and tied for 17th in free throw percentage (.782).
Notre Dame Draft Selections Under Mike Brey:
2016 Demetrius Jackson, 2nd round, 45th overall selection, Boston Celtics
2015 Jerian Grant, 1st, 19th, Washington Wizards (traded to Atlanta, then to the New York Knicks)
Pat Connaughton, 2nd, 41st, Brooklyn Nets (traded to Portland TrailBlazers)
2010 Luke Harangody, 2nd, 52nd, Boston Celtics
2002 Ryan Humphrey, 1st, 19th, Utah Jazz (traded to Orlando Magic)
2001 Troy Murphy, 1st, 14th, Golden State Warriors
Note: This release will be updated with more information on Friday, June 24th.
Great landing spot for DJ w/coach who really knows him.
Demetrius is at his best w/challenge like this!#NDinNBA pic.twitter.com/SSUyoxNd9q
— Mike Brey (@NDMikeBrey) June 24, 2016