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Grizzlies star issues 5-word message following Team USA win

By Mark Nilon

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - AUGUST 06: Jaren Jackson Jr. #13 of the 2023 USA Basketball Men’s National Team attends a practice session during the team's training camp at the Mendenhall Center at UNLV as the team gets ready for the FIBA Men’s Basketball World Cup on August 06, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - AUGUST 06: Jaren Jackson Jr. #13 of the 2023 USA Basketball Men’s National Team attends a practice session during the team's training camp at the Mendenhall Center at UNLV as the team gets ready for the FIBA Men’s Basketball World Cup on August 06, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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Throughout training camp and the preliminary stage of the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Memphis Grizzlies star Jaren Jackson Jr. has consistently shown himself to be one of, if not the top-dog on this year’s Team USA roster. Even amongst his peers, the big man was tabbed as being the club’s “most impressive” performer.

Now, as they make their way through the exhibition phase of the tournament it seems as though Triple-J is still shining blindingly bright and, just recently, served as a driving force in the USA’s exhilarating win over Spain on August 13.

Coming into the contest, Spain was ranked number one in the world according to FIBA metrics while the USA was stationed just behind them at number two.

Following the bout, Jackson was filmed walking through the tunnel toward the locker rooms, and, in passing, he offered up a calm and collected message on the progress he and his teammates are making as they make their way toward meaningful play, noting: “Every day it gets better.”

"“That was great,” Jackson said. “[We’re] putting it together slowly.”"

Jackson would finish the contest with an impressive stat line of 14 points, five rebounds, and three blocks while Team USA as a whole shot 67 percent from the field and 56 percent from deep.

On the opposite side of the court, Team Spain was seen being led by fellow Grizzlies big man Santi Aldama, who led the way for his club in points scored with 14.

With this win, Team USA improved to a perfect 3-0 record during its pre-World Cup phase.

Jackson, who is coming off a tremendous 2022-23 campaign where he claimed both the first All-Star nod and Defensive Player of the Year award of his career, will continue to be looked to as a leader for this hungry club as they make their way toward the official start of the festivities on August 25.

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