Jaren Jackson Jr to Represent Memphis Grizzlies at NBA All-Star Weekend

Representing the Memphis Grizzlies, rookie Jaren Jackson Jr. has been selected to participate in the Rising Stars Challenge during NBA All-Star Weekend.

On Tuesday evening, the NBA announced the rosters for the annual Mtn Dew Ice Rising Stars Challenge, which takes place during NBA All-Star Weekend. This year, the Memphis Grizzlies will receive representation via rookie Jaren Jackson Jr.

In a month that has delivered just two wins out of 15 tries heading into Wednesday’s road meeting versus the Minnesota Timberwolves, this is the type of positive news this Grizzlies club is needing in the worst way.

Memphis cannot even hold onto a 25-point lead — the largest blown lead in franchise history — as they fumbled a golden opportunity on Monday againsts the Denver Nuggets.

At this point, where the Memphis Grizzlies are tied for the NBA’s seventh-worst record, there is not a lot to be positive about. However, Jaren Jackson Jr. is one of only a few bright spots in a downward season. His growth and development has ensured the franchise is in good hands.

While the Dallas Mavericks have instantly produced the (assumed) Rookie of the Year in Luka Doncic, Memphis is sitting pretty with a unicorn of their own. With comparisons to Kevin Garnett, Jermaine O’Neal, Anthony Davis, among others, Grizzlies fans can give some rare credit to the team’s Front Office for a successful Draft Night decision.

Jaren Jackson Jr. is a special talent. He combines extraordinary defensive awareness to an offensive skill set that is groomed well beyond his 19 years. He is perfectly a smooth outside jump shot that gives him an edge over the opposition, all while having a knack for gaining early post position on trips down the floor.

The keys now for “Triple-J” are health and continuous improvement. Fouling is a topic he is trying to overcome in the season’s second half. Plus, working with Kevin Garnett will help solve this plus add more tools to his repertoire. Leadership will be thrown into the mix, but it is less of a worry right now as the Memphis Grizzlies continue to ponder the final stages of Marc Gasol and Mike Conley in Tennessee.

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This Rising Stars Challenge selection for Jaren Jackson Jr. is perhaps one of many accomplishments and times of recognition for the Michigan State product. Plus, it allows the Grizzlies to have some skin in the game during NBA All-Star Weekend, assuming Gasol and/or Conley will not be named to an All-Star reserve position.

Halfway through Jaren’s first professional season, he is already representing the city of Memphis as well as the Grizzlies organization on the big stage, even if it is not within the actual NBA All-Star Game. This still highlights the fact that Jackson Jr. is one of the best young players in the NBA today.

According to the Memphis Grizzlies, Jaren Jackson Jr. is the 16th member of the franchise to earn this particular honor. Last season, swingman Dillon Brooks made his way onto the World roster after being drafted in the second round, an amazing accomplishment in his own right.

Now it is up to Jaren to showcase his game on the national level on February 15th in the Mtn Dew Ice Rising Stars Challenge. All eyes will be on him, and a productive outing could further boost his chances of landing on the NBA All-Rookie First Team by season’s end.

Following the annual NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, tip time is set for 8:00 PM Central Time on the 15th, and Grizzlies fans will not want to miss all the action.