GG Jackson's rookie season gave the Memphis Grizzlies hope for his future outlook as he showed flashes of a player who could develop into a future star. He made the All-Rookie 2nd Team in only 48 games played last season after spending the majority of the first half of his rookie season with their G League affiliate the Memphis Hustle.
He broke records in that short span as he became the youngest player in NBA history to make seven threes in a game, the youngest to have a 40-point, 10-rebound game, and the youngest to score 25 points off the bench. He also joined Kevin Durant and LeBron James as the youngest players to score 20 points in back-to-back games
He ended his rookie season with 44 points and 12 rebounds in his final game before preparing for his second NBA season. During the summer GG made the All-Summer League first team after averaging 22 points and 8.5 rebounds and leading the Grizzlies to the Summer League championship game.
With all the momentum on his side to have an impact on a better team this season with Ja Morant returning to the lineup, GG Jackson suffered a broken foot injury one month before training camp. That injury sidelined him for the team's first 42 games of the season before he returned to play against the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 20th.
As expected, he has been rusty throughout the majority of the eight games he has played, but the team is 7-1 in those games. After not shooting better than 41.7% and scoring more than 15 points in any of his first seven games, GG broke out against the San Antonio Spurs last night.
The Heat were interested in GG Jackson as a part for a potential Jimmy Butler deal but the Grizzlies declined. pic.twitter.com/IOPrzPpF8U
— GG Muse (@GGMuse_) February 3, 2025
Without Desmond Bane, the Grizzlies needed someone else to step up alongside Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. and they received it with a 27-point performance from their young wing. His performance came on the day that rumors swirled that the Miami Heat wanted him in a trade for Jimmy Butler.
He proved why the Grizzlies likely view him as untouchable when it comes to trading him after flashing his potential as a three-level scoring threat from the win position. He possesses the ability to get any shot he wants from a position that is a premium in the NBA.
GG JACKSON HAS ARRIVED pic.twitter.com/OvEhLcobzG
— eric (@EricTweetsNBA) February 4, 2025
His age (20 years old) and contract (four-year, $8,511,167) make it likely the Grizzlies will see his potential through. Along with his 27 points last night, GG Jackson also provided three steals and four rebounds as the Grizzlies won their ninth of their last 10 games.