According to Sports Illustrated’s Sam Amick, the Boston Celtics have serious interest in drafting Boston College’s Reggie Jackson. (h/t Celtics Blog)

“Apparently the Celtics aren’t concerned about Jackson’s minor knee surgery in mid-May, as a source insists he won’t get past Boston,” wrote Amick.

The BC combo-guard impressed last season, earning First Team All-ACC honors while averaging 18.2 points, 4.5 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game. With a reported 7’0 wingspan, Jackson possesses the frame and athleticism NBA scouts covet. Combined with his efficient production, Jackson’s tools signify a player who could provide help off an NBA bench, perhaps immediately.

If the Celtics do draft Jackson, it could mean they were unhappy with Avery Bradley’s development. Drafting a combo-guard for the second straight year would seem redundant unless the Celtics expect little from Bradley in the future. Or perhaps they would be looking to emulate the Dallas Mavericks, who brought two midgets—err, Jason Terry and J.J. Barea—off the bench to change the game’s flow and provide a double dose of adrenaline.

I did not watch much of Jackson during his time in college, but here are some bullet points from his Draft Express profile:

• Not a pure point guard, but does have some point guard tools
• Huge wingspan (somewhere, Jay Bilas salivates)
• Highly improved three-point shot (jumped from 29% during sophomore season to 42% during junior season even while taking more attempts)
• “Lack of elite lateral quickness” limits defensive potential, but many of his defensive shortcomings are correctable

(Read the whole Draft Express profile here.)

With the 25th and 55th picks, the Celtics will struggle to find a rotation player. “Historically, the odds of a #25 draft pick breaking into a rotation is like 6%,” Danny Ainge said last week. Which means the odds of a 25th pick breaking into a Doc Rivers rotation is approximately 0.1%.

As such, the Celtics might serve themselves better by drafting for long-term potential. With his considerable physical tools and legitimate college production, Jackson provides significant upside. So do other players who could be available later in the first round, including Josh Selby and Jeremy Tyler.