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"Just healthy competition" - Andre Jackson Jr. on dust-up with Jabari Smith Jr.

Originally posted on FanNation Bucks Zone
By Jonas Panerio | Last updated 1/8/24

Milwaukee Bucks forward Andre Jackson Jr. may be in his first year in the NBA, but he’s quickly showing that he’s not someone to back down from a challenge. The 22-year-old recently had a heated exchange with Houston Rockets big man Jabari Smith Jr. during a game, which caught the attention of both fans and media alike.

Nothing but competition

The play happened early in the third as Jackson tried to get into a good rebounding position. Smith then came out of nowhere and hit the former UConn standout in the back, and the two had to be separated after the Houston Rockets called a timeout.

However, Andre thought nothing of the incident, chalking it up to the competitive juices flowing.

“Just healthy competition,” Jackson Jr. said.

“Me and Jabari have played a few times in the past so just some healthy competition here. Just try to stay away from that in the future.”

Bringing more activity to the game

With the Bucks trailing by as much as 21, the rookie started in Malik Beasley’s place in the second half. And while he didn’t produce much, tallying a point, two rebounds, and two steals in 12 minutes of action, Jackson raised the Bucks’ energy level and gave the team a spark.

“Just bringing the energy, you know what I mean,” the 6-foot-6 forward who was tasked with defending the Rockets’ skilled and talented big man Alperen Sengun, said. Sengun finished with 21 points on 7-of-21 shooting.

“Bringing energy, I’m going out there, talking on defense, communication, getting to a front and trying not to let him just catch it with me on his back, trying to keep him from spinning baseline. Know he likes to do that. Just try to kind of frustrate him and just get him to slow his play down.”

This article first appeared on FanNation Bucks Zone and was syndicated with permission.

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