Going into his third season, GG Jackson II is at a pivotal point in his career. In his first season, he exceeded expectations in a larger role on a Grizzlies team that was plagued by injuries. His stellar play earned him a Second-Team All-Rookie selection. In his second season, he was expected to build off a promising rookie season. Unfortunately, he suffered a broken fifth metatarsal injury in his right foot that required surgery during the summer, missing the first three months of the season.
Last season wasn’t the season that Jackson II or Grizzlies fans expected out of him. Due to multiple injuries, inconsistent minutes, and a fluctuating role as a result of coaching changes, roster changes, and the emergence of other wings such as Jaylen Wells, Jackson II’s numbers dipped. He averaged 7.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.0 assists on below-average shooting splits, lower across the board from his rookie season.
Despite all of that, GG Jackson II is still one of the most talented players on the Grizzlies roster. He is a 6’9 forward who can score on all three levels. He is also the youngest player on the team at 20 years old, with all the potential in the world. Coach Tuomas Iisalo has even been quoted saying how he doesn’t want to look back in 20 years and see that he didn’t allow Jackson II to reach his full potential.
GG Jackson shined during the Grizzlies' summer league run
That belief continued to show in Jackson’s tenure in this year’s summer league. In the two games he played in the Salt Lake Summer League, Jackson II averaged 23.5 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. In the Las Vegas Summer League, Jackson II continued to put up good numbers, averaging 14.0 points and 5.3 rebounds per game in three games, bringing his entire 2025 summer league numbers to 18.7 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.
However, Jackson II’s overall solid play and base numbers over the past few weeks weren’t the biggest takeaway from summer league; it was how he got those numbers. GG Jackson II’s game seemed to take a step in the right direction on and off the court.
On the court, he didn't display the shot-chucking, over-dribbling, Jackson II of old. He displayed a player making assertive moves, in limited dribbles, using his athleticism to get to the rim. He also took strides in his playmaking ability. Jackson II repeatedly passed up good shots for great shots and created shots for his teammates off the dribble. Most importantly, he gave consistent effort on the defensive end of the floor. He blocked shots, got deflections, rebounds, and consistently slid his feet to stay in front of his assignment.
Off the floor, he seemed to have a more mature spirit about himself. Across the two weeks, he spoke in interviews like a player who is confident in himself, but who is also willing to learn from his past mistakes and improve his game. In a post-game interview, he was quoted as saying: “With our newly acquired coaching staff, there is a lot more explaining, which I’m all ears for. I’m like a sponge.”.
When he was asked what else he wants to show the coaching staff leading into training camp in an interview with Chris Dodson of Clutch Points, he answered, “To be more team-oriented, and not trying to make everything about me. Be more together on defense… and show I can have an impact on winning rather than just trying to chase stats."
Jackson II is realizing the importance of the time he’s in right now and what he needs to do to stay on the floor. The Grizzlies have a loaded wing rotation, especially after trading up to get Cedric Coward in the lottery of this year’s draft. If Jackson II continues this trend of improvement, he will find himself a solidified role in the playing rotation. Furthermore, if he takes a leap this season, with all of the potential he has, he can truly be the X-factor in the Grizzlies' success this season.