Selected 45th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft, GG Jackson II was a very intriguing prospect at the time of his selection. GG Jackson II was originally the #1 prospect of the 2023 recruiting class and previously committed to the University of North Carolina. He eventually decommitted from the Tar Heels and later reclassified to the 2022 class, featuring names such as Brandon Miller and Cason Wallace.
Jackson II committed to South Carolina, and while he showed flashes of his offensive potential, his time with the Gamecocks was inconsistent. Regardless, he declared for the 2023 NBA Draft, and the Grizzlies took a swing on his upside, despite concerns with offensive efficiency and maturity. With Marcus Sasser's draft rights being given to Detroit in the Tyus Jones trade and draft-and-stash prospect Tarik Biberovic playing overseas, Jackson II is the only 2023 draft selection on the current Grizzlies roster.
The start of GG Jackson II's career has produced mixed results
As a rookie, GG Jackson II appeared in 48 games and made 18 starts during an injury-riddled season for the Grizzlies. Jackson II averaged 14.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 25.7 minutes per game. Jackson II landed on the NBA All-Rookie Second Team and was viewed as a potential breakout candidate for the 2024-25 season.
Unfortunately, despite a productive Summer League campaign, GG Jackson II ended up needing surgery to repair a fractured fifth metatarsal (Jones fracture) in his right foot. Jackson II ended up missing all of training camp and the start of the season. He eventually made his return to action on MLK Day against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Despite an impressive 27-point game against the Spurs on February 3rd, Jackson II struggled to recover the same level he showed as a rookie and eventually had to spend time with the Memphis Hustle. It was a challenging season for him mentally, and a Jones fracture is a difficult injury to return from. While there is plenty of pressure on GG Jackson II to stand out this season, there are reasons for optimism.
This past Summer League reminded everyone of his potential
In this year's summer league, Jackson II showed a more well-rounded game on offense. Jackson II is at his best offensively when he's creating shots with the ball in his hands, but he showed plenty of flashes of growth as a passer and was more confident as a cutter. Defensively, Jackson II looked promising as an on-ball defender. It will be key for Tuomas Iisalo to keep him engaged defensively off-ball and to grab more defensive boards.
It is important to remember that GG Jackson II is still just 20 years old. The start of his NBA career has been a mixed bag, as he had a promising rookie season but a rough return from injury in his second year. While there should be strong competition between the young wing players in Memphis, GG Jackson II still has what it takes to be featured significantly in the rotation this upcoming season.