Grizzlies: GG Jackson believed to have 'similar trajectory' as former 10x All-Star

The Memphis Grizzlies may have opted to forgo keeping their 25 overall selection in last June's draft, but it seems as though they still wound up nabbing first-round value from a talent perspective with the likes of GG Jackson.

Despite dropping to the second round and being drafted 45 overall, through 35 games played with the franchise the rookie is proving exactly why he was deemed a consensus five-star recruit coming out of high school back in 2022.

From his innate scoring prowess to his continuously improving defensive efforts, Jackson has established himself as a legitimate long-term staple within coach Taylor Jenkins' rotation, with some going as far as to argue him to be the best prospect the Grizzlies have had since taking Ja Morant second overall during the 2019 NBA Draft.

On top of his talents, what makes him all the more impressive is his specific build, as he measures in at 6-foot-9 with a wingspan of 7-feet.

Though he showcases the style of play more suited for the three-spot, with his height and length there's a case to be made that, in time, he could pack on the size needed to slot in as a trusty option at the four and, recently, Locked on Grizzlies host Joe Mullinax went as far as to compare the 19-year-old's potential path to that of retired 10-time All-Star, Carmelo Anthony.

Grizzlies rookie GG Jackson could follow path of Carmelo Anthony

"Carmelo Anthony started as a three and then he kind of transitioned. He was always that combo-forward type that could play the four [but] as his career went on he almost exclusively became a four... I think that GG Jackson could be on a similar trajectory."

- Joe Mullinax

Mullinax would continue on to note that, as Jackson's career continues to move along, he'll start to get into the groove of an actual NBA strength and conditioning program, which could lead to him put on "20 or 30 good pounds" and, in turn, sculpt his frame to make an ideal modern day power forward, a la Anthony, who first took on such duties during his time with the New York Knicks.

The youngest player in the entire association, Jackson finds himself posting impressive averages of 12.8 points and 3.7 rebounds while shooting 36.3 percent from distance.

Currently, he is amid a sensational five-game stretch, four of which played in a starting role, where he's posting a whopping 23.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists on 48.1 percent shooting from the floor and 35.6 percent shooting from deep.

Considering how impressive his on-court production has been at just 19 years old and weighing in at just 210 pounds, imagine just how menacing the Grizzlies forward could become with more experience and muscle mass on his side.

As Brevin Knight recently said regarding Jackson's upside, "the ceiling is glass."