Necks turned and eyes widened with each step 6-foot-11 Jaren Jackson Jr. took down the hallway at Georgian Hills Middle School. Kids leaned out of their seats to confirm if what they thought they were seeing was actually real.
“Who is that?” one kid whispered from inside a classroom while dropping her pencil and staring at Jackson.
The Memphis Grizzlies forward visited three groups of kids on Wednesday at Georgian Hills to drop off backpacks and other supplies as part of the team's "Grizzlies goes back to school" initiative.
When that was done, it was time for Jackson to field questions from the students. Within some of those questions was trash talk about being able to guard the Grizzlies all-star. One kid in particular said he could guard Jackson and his teammate Ja Morant.
While being surrounded by students, Jackson contacted Morant on Facetime.
“Aye, I got some dudes who can’t guard me and they think they can guard you too,” Jackson told Morant. “I just want you to see.”
So Jackson called Morant.
“Man, stop it,” Morant calmly responded.
Jackson then turned the camera where the kids could see Morant’s face. The middle schoolers jumped around and let out screams of excitement.
“That stuff is priceless for (the kids),” Jackson said. “I don’t think I would’ve been able to comprehend it if people in the city I was in, the NBA team showed up and was doing anything at all. I bet it’s a whirlwind for them.”
The questions didn’t stop there. Jackson was asked everything from things about how he got involved in basketball to how much money he makes. To that last question, Jackson gave the kid an estimate by stating that he makes somewhere between zero and an infinity amount of dollars.
That comfortability for Jackson in these settings has been built over years of community events. He’s one of the most active Grizzlies players in the community, and a lot of his activity comes from engaging with kids.
The Grizzlies star said that interacting with kids allows him to have fun with his community work in order to make a difference. Jackson’s message on Wednesday was to continue listening to teachers, stay on top of studies and spread positivity.
“It’s how you mold minds,” Jackson said. “When you’re older, it’s harder to change people’s perspectives. … A lot of things people told me changed the way I think, and I would love for little things to change at least one person whenever I go.”
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Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com . Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Watch: Grizzlies' Jaren Jackson Jr. surprises students with Ja Morant Facetime call
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