NBA Draft: Memphis Grizzlies Go All-In with Jaren Jackson Jr.

NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 21: Jaren Jackson Jr. reacts after being drafted fourth overall by the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2018 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 21, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

The Memphis Grizzlies received their opportunity on the clock in the first round of the 2018 NBA Draft. Did they make the right choice?

The pick is in! The dust has settled. It looks as if the Memphis Grizzlies will retain their No. 4 overall selection of the NBA Draft despite plenty of trade rumors.

Memphis dug deep into their bag to keep Grizz Nation on its feet. There were a handful of candidates that could have landed in the 901. Ultimately, the Grizzlies selected 6’11,” 235-pound power forward/center out of Michigan State University, Jaren Jackson, Jr.

Earlier in the week, news was leaked that Jackson Jr. had refused to give his medical information to the Memphis Grizzlies. Additionally, he preferred to not be chosen by the Tennessee-based team. Just minutes before the NBA Commissioner, Adam Silver, announced the No. 4 pick, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported some positive news.

Sources: Jaren Jackson Jr., has grown comfortable with the prospect of Memphis drafting him with fourth pick, and provided Grizz officials the requisite personal information they requested. Coach JB Bickerstaff played a big role in selling a vision for Jackson's future there.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 21, 2018

With thanks to ESPN, these freshman highlights of Triple-J are very promising. He has all the skills to become a difference-maker for the Grizzlies franchise.

Though Jaren Jackson Jr. is more of a raw talent than other prospects Memphis was considering with the fourth pick, he could play right away. Being a stifling defender in the frontcourt, there is potential of JJJ starting alongside center Marc Gasol.

On the negative side, Jackson Jr. must improve his defense from a fouling perspective. One reason he played just 21 minutes per contest is his 3.2-foul-per-game average. This is an area that will be huge in having Gasol as a mentor. Big Spain was the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year in the 2012-13 season.

If there are any doubters among the Memphis Grizzlies’ fan base of this selection, just know that he has perhaps the highest ceiling of any player in this year’s NBA Draft. He is also the best frontcourt defensive talent within this rookie class. Time will tell if he lives up to the hype, but there should not be any disappointment associated with this pick. Flashy names like Marvin Bagley III or Luka Doncic did not present themselves to Memphis, but they still came away with value in the first round.

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In one season playing within the collegiate ranks, Jackson Jr. averaged 10.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 3.0 blocks in 21.8 minutes per game. Offensively, Triple-J shot a superb 51.3% from the field, including a 39.6% accuracy from three-point land. Though he is truly a frontcourt counterpiece, he attempted 96 treys in the 2017-18 season. Jaren’s per-40 statistics are highly impressive, too, where he nearly achieved a triple-double average.

Jaren Jackson Jr. is from the same hometown as the Memphis Grizzlies’ starting point guard, Mike Conley. Both guys are Indianapolis, Indiana born and raised. This is also the second Michigan State Spartan the Grizz have on their roster, the other being backup center Deyonta Davis. What better way to begin a career than to have close connections amongst new teammates?

Go Grizz!