Memphis Grizzlies: Jaren Jackson Jr Puts Offensive Repertoire on Display in Rising Stars Challenge

Jaren Jackson Jr represented the Memphis Grizzlies well on Friday as Team USA earned the win in the Rising Stars Challenge.

The Memphis Grizzlies‘ Jaren Jackson Jr. helped lead Team USA to victory in Friday’s Rising Stars Challenge during NBA All-Star Weekend.

This was the fifth year of the NBA doing a USA versus World format in the rookie-sophomore game. Prior to tip-off, Team USA was looking to end a two-year losing skid. They took care of business early on — earning a lead after the first quarter and never looking back — en route to a convincing 161-144 final score.

For fans of the Memphis Grizzlies, all eyes were on their star rookie, Jaren Jackson Jr. It was a slow first quarter for Grizz Nation as Jaren came off the bench and was the last player to check into the game for Team USA.

Even so, Jackson Jr. managed to see 15 minutes and 32 seconds of action in the Rising Stars Challenge. This is more playing time than two of his Rising Stars teammates (John Collins, Jarrett Allen) received, but overall it was even distribution of minutes for the USA’s frontcourt players. It was a high-quality front line rotation within their arsenal.

In his reserve role, Jaren Jackson Jr. produced 10 points (4/6 shooting), six rebounds, and one steal. Most importantly for the Memphis Grizzlies’ interests is that he logged zero fouls, which is a department that the Michigan State product has struggled with overcoming in his first year as a professional.

Being as it was an NBA All-Star game of sorts for the league’s brightest youngsters, not much defense was going to be played. 95% (at least) of the game was an offensive onslaught.

While most of the players were seemingly auditioning for a dunk contest, it was not all about slams for Jackson Jr. All four of the field goals made by Jaren highlighted different strong suits found within his skill set. This is tremendous, not just for a 19-year-old NBA rookie, but also because he is known first and foremost for his stifling defense.

“Triple-J” got on the board with a put-back dunk between two defenders. This put Team World on notice. The USA had this one in the bag.

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If NBA fans outside of Grizz Nation did not know much about Jaren Jackson Jr before Friday’s Rising Stars Challenge, things have definitely changed in that regard. Now they realize he is not your typical big man. He can put the ball on the floor and drive through traffic for the bucket.

In speaking of not being your typical big man, the Memphis Grizzlies’ rookie showed full confidence in pulling up from long-range for a deep triple on this particular play. Jaren was practicing this shot in shootaround on Friday, and it paid off when it truly counted on the big stage.

Jaren Jackson Jr. splashed home two three-point shots on the night. He is making defenders step out to guard him above the arc, but he owns excellent speed and control for his size, which enables him to slide past defenders of similar stature.

Overall, this is a small sample of the Grizzlies’ future. It should be the first of many trips to NBA All-Star Weekend for Jaren, and it is easy to see why Memphis chose to select him with the fourth overall pick of the 2018 NBA Draft. It may wind up being the best pick by this Front Office in franchise history.

Now, all eyes from Memphis, Tennessee are directed onto Mike Conley as he prepares to participate in NBA All-Star Saturday Night’s Taco Bell Skills Challenge. The festivities tip off at 8:00 PM Eastern Time and can be viewed on TNT.