GG Jackson has arguably been the most polarizing player on the Memphis Grizzlies since the beginning of 2024. He began getting consistent playing time following long-term injuries to Ja Morant, Marcus Smart, and Desmond Bane at that time and took advantage of it by averaging 14.6 points and making the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.
He carried that momentum into the Grizzlies' 2024 summer league team by leading them to the championship game, which helped him gain All-Summer League First Team honors last summer. Unfortunately, a broken foot injury he suffered in an open run prevented him from returning to the basketball court until January 2025.
What followed was a young player struggling to find his footing on a team that was in the top three of the Western Conference standings after being used virtually as a star on a team that had a lost season during his rookie year. These struggles led to internal frustrations within him, prompting many to wonder if the Grizzlies would give up on him this summer.
However, GG Jackson willingly wanted to play in the summer league again, and is showing why the Grizzlies should continue developing the 20-year-old former South Carolina Gamecock.
He is the youngest on the summer league roster by 15 months
GG Jackson made an entrance at the end of the Grizzlies' rookie introduction press conference when general manager Zach Kleiman said that he is the youngest in the room. Adding on to the Grizzlies' rookie draft picks of Cedric Coward, Javon Small, and Jahmai Mashack, GG Jackson is 15 months younger than the next closest player on their summer league roster.
Before last season, Grizzlies fans were having discussions about GG Jackson being the team's answer at the small forward position, with some even thinking he should've been the starter last season. The broken foot injury set him back from the opportunity that eventually became Jaylen Wells' during his All-Rookie First Team campaign.
The Grizzlies have lacked a wing scorer since trading Rudy Gay in 2013, and GG Jackson checks off that box. He is averaging 23.5 points on an efficient 57.5% shooting from the field, including 37.5% from three. That is the type of potential he showed in 2024 before his injury setback that eventually had him on the bench, not playing to end the 2024-25 season.
GG Jackson is proving that the team shouldn't give up hope on him as he continues to not only grow on the court, but off of it too with his mentality and approach to the game. GG Jackson has a skillset the Grizzlies haven't had in a long time in a league where it is needed for the team to become championship contenders. Continuing to develop a player of that talent level could ultimately determine if the Grizzlies can take the next step to greatness or not.