The Memphis Grizzlies have some of the most promising players in the league. They already have a well-known trio of Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr., but the team has some talented players waiting for their opportunities to shine.
While Memphis had a disastrous 2023/24 season due to multiple injuries, some players stood out and had a chance to shine. One of those players was then-rookie GG Jackson II. He showed why he was a top prospect in high school and why he is the steal of the 2023 NBA Draft, an assessment JJJ agrees with.
“Amazing work ethic, he touched the G-League and whenever you do that, you gotta have a strong mind… When you come back, you’re in attack mode, and you don’t want to go back,” Jaren said about GG on The Old Man and the Three Podcast. “When he got his wind, he’s been able to do everything he knows what to do. I think the sky’s the limit for him; I think he’s gonna be one of the best wings in our game. He’s got everything.”
GG has the talent to become a star player
When GG attended Ridge View High School in South Carolina, he was rated as a five-star recruit and the consensus best prospect in collegiate basketball. He was supposed to play for the University of North Carolina but de-committed and stayed home in South Carolina.
Weirdly, GG was not given a fair shake by teams in the 2023 Draft, as he was selected in the second round with the 45th overall pick. This was bizarre, but the Grizzlies are glad they got to scoop him up because he has limitless potential. In his rookie season, Jackson averaged 14.6 points a game and 4.1 rebounds.
Jackson stands at 6’9”, is an elite athlete, and can be an offensive powerhouse. He has everything you would want in a modern wing player, especially if he can reach his defensive upside. The combination of shooting, size, and defense can make him one of the best wing players in the league, a sentiment that Jaren wants to put forward.
On track to be the starting small forward
While GG is not the nailed-on starter for the Grizzlies, he has the pathway to become a regular starter for Memphis. Point guard, shooting guard, and power forward are the only confirmed starting roles because of Morant, Bane, and JJJ, but the other two are up for grabs.
Expect Coach Taylor Jenkins to trust the youth, with GG and Zach Edey becoming the favorites to become the long-term starters. It would be interesting to see how he adjusts the team, especially with the 20-year-old from South Carolina showing unreal potential as a scorer.
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