Grizzlies: GG Jackson sounds off following All-Rookie Second Team selection

Monday afternoon, the NBA announced their All-Rookie selections for the 2023-24 season, and, excitingly enough, Memphis Grizzlies forward GG Jackson found himself making the cut for team number two.

With this, the 19-year-old has become the 11 member of the franchise to be bestowed such honors since migrating to Grind City back in 2001 and the first second-round selection to do so since Marc Gasol did it back in 2008-09.

When looking back on his first-year campaign with the Grizzlies, there are many reasons to say that his Second-Team nod is both well-deserved and truly special, and no one seems to understand this more than Jackson himself who, following the news of his selection, headed to Instagram Live where he shared his thoughts and emotions to his faithful followers.

Grizzlies forward GG Jackson shares emotions on All-Rookie selection

"They said he needed one more year in college. They said I was selfish and that I couldn't play with teammates. They let me fall to 45. I ain't gonna get up here and destroy my image one more time, I just came to say it don't matter where you start, and y'all have heard this saying before, it's about how you finish."

- GG Jackson

Despite being a five-star recruit coming out of high school and being deemed the consensus best collegiate prospect for the 2023 recruiting class, Jackson entered the NBA as a second-round selection and kicked off his career with the Grizzlies on a two-way contract, splitting his time between the varsity team and in the G League.

After a few months, however, Memphis became aware of the talents and high-end skill set the forward was able to display at the next level, and, by early February, managed to earn himself a full-scale, multi-year deal with the franchise.

From the time he came across ample playing time on a regular basis (January 13 and onward), Jackson was posting impressive per-game averages of 16.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists while shooting 35.8 percent from the field.

Despite seeing just six games of action throughout the first 38 outings of the season, the forward would still manage to finish fourth among rookies in points per game and, perhaps even more impressive, seventh among his first-year peers in total points (699).

From his history-setting scoring feats to his natural athleticism and youthfulness (was the youngest player in the league this season), Jackson's future seems to be blindingly bright, and the hope moving forward is that the Grizzlies youngster is only scratching the surface of his full potential as a pro baller.