Tag: GG Jackson

Spurs’ Wembanyama, Hornets’ Miller named rookies of the month for third straight time

Victor Wembanyama and Brandon Miller for the third straight time have been named the Rookies of the Month for March.

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama and Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller were named the NBA Western and Eastern Conference rookies of the month, respectively, for the third straight time.

Wembanyama became the first Spurs rookie to win three months in a row since Tim Duncan after averaging 23.2 points, 11.7 rebounds, 3.8 blocks and 1.2 steals in 12 games. He led all rookies in scoring, rebounding and blocks in March.

Miller averaged 18.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 14 games, becoming the fifth player in franchise history to win three times. He was second among rookies in scoring and led all first-year players in 3-pointers (42).

Wembanyama registered five 30-point games, the most by a rookie in a calendar month since LeBron James in December 2003. He produced a career-high 40 points and 20 rebounds on March 29, becoming the first rookie since Shaquille O’Neal in 1993 to reach that mark.

Miller was the third-fastest Hornets rookie to surpass 1,000 career points after reaching that mark on March 15 (60 games). He later registered his third 30-point game of the season after recording 31 points with a career-high seven 3s on March 27.

Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George, Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren, Memphis Grizzlies forward GG Jackson II and Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson were also nominated for the award from the West. Toronto Raptors guard Gradey Dick, Miami Heat guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Hornets forward Vasilije Micić were also nominated in the East.

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Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins reveals next area of growth for GG Jackson

GG Jackson has had a productive rookie campaign with the Grizzlies, and his head coach revealed some of the next steps in his development.

GG Jackson has turned in a productive rookie campaign with the Memphis Grizzlies, and his head coach revealed on Saturday some of the next steps in his development.

Jackson, who is the youngest player in the NBA, started the season in the G League with the Memphis Hustle. He eventually entered the rotation in mid-January as the Grizzlies were battered by injuries, and he has become a key rotation player for Taylor Jenkins.

The 45th pick is averaging 15 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists on 36.6% shooting from 3-point range in 35 games since Jan. 12. He is fourth among the rookie class in scoring average (13.3) and 15th in rebounding (3.8) on the season.

Jenkins named one area of focus for Jackson this summer.

He and I have been talking about what his body is getting exposed to right now (with) the amount of minutes he is playing and having durability and endurance, so that is something he is definitely going to have to focus on in the offseason.

With the Grizzlies (24-50) eliminated from postseason contention, the team will continue to put Jackson in different situations to grow his overall game. The coaching staff wants to see him guard different players, such as guards and some of the bigs in the league.

On the other end of the floor, the Grizzlies want Jackson to learn their system further and make plays on and off the ball. They like how he has shot from beyond the arc and his ability to drive into the paint and finish strongly at the rim.

Jackson is one of seven first-year players with multiple 30-point games, including a career-high 35 points and five rebounds on March 20. He has scored in double figures in 10 consecutive games, his longest streak of the season.

The team is happy with his progress and willingness to learn.

“He is doing a good job of responding,” Jenkins said. “As I’ve openly told him: ‘You’re going to have your great moments, and you’re going to have your mistakes, and the fact that you’re just trying to be willing to learn and get better is going to pay dividends moving forward.'”

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Chris Paul says it was fulfilling to play against GG Jackson: ‘He is an unbelievable kid’

Chris Paul faced GG Jackson for the first time as the Warriors hosted the Grizzlies, and was proud to see him in the NBA.

Chris Paul faced rookie GG Jackson for the first time on Wednesday as the Golden State Warriors hosted the Memphis Grizzlies, and the future Hall of Famer called it a fulfilling experience.

Jackson played on Paul’s AAU team, Team CP3, in North Carolina two years ago alongside Rob Dillingham and Aden Holloway, among others. Paul and Jackson have had a strong friendship over that time and have kept in contact.

Paul missed the first two games against Jackson due to a wrist injury, but he responded on Wednesday with 12 points, 14 assists and two rebounds off the bench in the 137-116 victory. Beyond that, Paul was proud to share the court with Jackson.

The most fulfilling thing about tonight was GG Jackson. … GG is an unbelievable kid. We played at Memphis twice this year, and I was hurt both of those games, so going into the game, it was crazy. Sometimes, he still calls me coach. He hit a 3 in my face earlier in the game and I was pissed. Our AAU program is really like a family, so to be out there on the court playing against him is something I’ll never get used to. It is kind of a surreal moment.

Jackson responded with his best game as a professional, producing a career-high 35 points, five rebounds and three assists. He went 11-of-19 from the field, including 7-of-14 from 3-point range, in 35 minutes in his sixth start of the season.

He is the seventh rookie with multiple 30-point games this season, and he became the youngest player in history to hit seven 3-pointers in a game (19 years, 94 days).

One of those 3s came on Paul, which the veteran didn’t appreciate.

“I know I won’t hear the end of that,” Paul said. “What did he have? 35? That was a career high? Man, that is some (expletive). Him, along with all of the other guys who came through our program, is probably the most fulfilling, knowing that he’ll have a long career in this league.”

Jackson is averaging 13.4 points and 3.7 rebounds on 37.3% shooting from 3-point range in 36 games this season. He is fourth among rookies in scoring average and became the youngest player to record 25 points off the bench on Feb. 8.

The Grizzlies have been impressed with Jackson since the 45th pick entered the rotation in January. They rewarded him with a four-year contract and believe he has a bright future ahead.

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Grizzlies’ Taylor Jenkins on GG Jackson: ‘I think he has made some significant strides’

GG Jackson was thrust into the spotlight with the Grizzlies and coach Taylor Jenkins believes he has capitalized on his recent opportunity.

GG Jackson was thrust into the spotlight with the Memphis Grizzlies and coach Taylor Jenkins believes the rookie has capitalized on his recent opportunity.

Jackson spent the majority of the season in the G League with the Memphis Hustle. He returned to the Grizzlies in mid-January and has been a key player for the team since, mostly as a reserve.

He is providing a spark with his energy and scoring ability. The 45th pick is averaging 13.7 points and four rebounds on 38.5% shooting from 3-point range in 23 games since joining the rotation on Jan. 13. He has produced five 20-point games in that span, including a career-high-tying 27 points on Feb. 15.

Jenkins explained Monday what he has seen with Jackson.

Just constant growth. He is super coachable. (His) first year in the league. (He) obviously spent the first half of the season with the Hustle and was learning a lot just about the lifestyle of being in the NBA and learning at the G League level but then thrust into the lineup. He has kind of run with the opportunity ever since. I think he has got great potential on both sides of the floor. He has got an ultimate care factor.

The organization rewarded Jackson by upgrading him to a standard contract worth $8.5 million over four years. He has proved a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing season for the Grizzlies amid injuries to several key players.

Jackson has sought to form a strong connection with his teammates and looks to be getting more comfortable each game. He has impressed in his expanded role and appears to be a player the team can keep long term in the backcourt.

Of course, there are areas of his game the team hopes will improve. Jenkins is challenging him on the defensive end to better understand certain matchups and rotations and is encouraged by his progress to this point.

“We have certain things that we really prioritize defensively that we want to showcase in his development,” Jenkins said. “I think he is doing a great job making mistakes but then immediately trying to correct it the next possession and the next game. It is all just part of his overall development in Year 1 and I think he has made some significant strides.”

Note: Sharif Phillips-Keaton of Nets Wire contributed to this story

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Rookie Wire Power Rankings: Victor Wembanyama remains No. 1 post-All-Star break

Rookie Wire took a look at the top first-year players over the last two weeks of the 2023-24 season.

The NBA enters the last two months of the regular-season schedule with teams positioning themselves for the playoffs entering .

The rookie class continues to impress nightly with players contributing at a high level on playoff contenders and other teams in the hunt. The group has been one of the most memorable in recent memory, headlined by Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren.

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They have established themselves as the top rookies and are the front-runners for Rookie of the Year as a result. The two 7-footers have dazzled seemingly every time they step onto the court and have had some strong performances.

To make sense of it all, we looked at the best recent performances of these first-year players and ranked them in the Rookie Wire Power Rankings. The rankings are not for Rookie of the Year purposes but to illustrate the best players week to week.

GG Jackson II trolled Doc Rivers after the Grizzlies somehow upset the confounding Bucks

The youngest player in the NBA is also one of the funniest.

Despite injuries to key players such as Ja Morant, a young Memphis Grizzlies roster was able to defeat the contending Milwaukee Bucks.

The Grizzlies were led by Ziaire Williams and GG Jackson II, who both scored 27 points during the narrow victory. Jackson was 10-of-17 from the field and 6-of-10 on 3-pointers in the contest.

After the game, Jackson was given the walk-off interview to discuss the thrilling win for Memphis. He immediately gave credit to Milwaukee head coach Doc Rivers and the Bucks, who had a healthy roster and held the lead with less than three minutes remaining in the game.

The 19-year-old, who is the youngest player in the NBA, hit a clutch 3-pointer to give Memphis a lead in the fourth quarter. He has been one of the best scorers off the bench in the league over the past month.

He and LeBron James are the youngest NBA players to ever record more than 25 points and more than five 3-pointers in a single game.

Jackson, who told Giannis Antetokounmpo he is still working on his core strength, impressed the Milwaukee superstar during this matchup.

RELATED: Doc Rivers is a ghost who just won’t stop haunting NBA teams

Despite a few positive moments, meanwhile, the Bucks are just 3-7 (.300) since Rivers took over for Adrian Griffin as head coach. Milwaukee has not seen the success needed under its new leadership.

Rivers, who called out his players after the loss to Memphis, put himself in a tough situation by taking this gig.

Due to a strange rule, however, Rivers will coach the Eastern Conference in the NBA All-Star Game.

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Amen Thompson electric, but Rockets continue road misery in Memphis

Rookie guard Amen Thompson (19 points, 12 rebounds, 53% FG) was outstanding, but Houston’s road misery continued versus lowly Memphis.

In their final game before the NBA’s 2024 All-Star break, the Rockets (24-30) continued their road misery with Wednesday’s 121-113 loss (box score) to the Grizzlies (19-36). Houston is 5-21 away from home this season, with the latest humiliation coming versus a lowly Memphis squad that had lost nine straight games going in.

Houston enters the break 12th in the Western Conference standings, 3 games behind Golden State in 10th, what would be the final berth of the 2024 play-in tournament.

Both teams were short-handed on Wednesday, with Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Marcus Smart and Brandon Clarke among the rotation players absent for Memphis. Those unavailable for the Rockets included Fred VanVleet, Tari Eason and Cam Whitmore.

Starting for VanVleet, rookie guard Amen Thompson was a bright spot for the Rockets, finishing with 19 points and 12 rebounds while shooting 9-of-17 from the field (52.9%). But backcourt mate Jalen Green was a disaster, finishing with just 4 points and 3 assists in 23 minutes while shooting 2-of-7 overall (28.6%), 0-of-4 from 3-point range, and not earning a single fourth-quarter minute.

Granted, Green was far from alone in his shooting struggles. Starting forwards Dillon Brooks and Jabari Smith Jr. combined to shoot just 8-of-30 overall (26.7%) and 2-of-16 on 3-pointers (12.5%).

Alperen Sengun tallied 19 points (50% FG), 6 assists and 5 rebounds. Aaron Holiday added 19 points off the bench while making 5-of-8 from 3-point range (62.5%). Houston connected on 11-of-36 from beyond the 3-point arc as a team (30.6%), and without Holiday, that dipped to a woeful 6-of-28 from distance (21.4%).

Memphis raced to a 23-point lead midway through the first half before a furious Houston rally in the middle portions of the game gave the Rockets a two-point lead early in the fourth. But Houston couldn’t sustain that momentum, and in a familiar theme from recent weeks, the frantic rally wasn’t enough to get over the final hump.

Rookie forward GG Jackson led the Grizzlies with 20 points and 9 rebounds in only 24 minutes off the bench, making 8-of-15 shots (53.3%) and 3-of-5 from 3-point range (60%). Jaren Jackson Jr. added 18 points in 27 minutes on 3-of-6 shooting from 3-point range (50%), including a pair of big triples in the fourth to stem the tide.

Here’s our look at Wednesday’s highlights and postgame interviews, along with reaction by media members and fans. After the All-Star break, the Rockets return to action on Feb. 22 in New Orleans. Tipoff versus the Pelicans is at 7 p.m. Central.

Rookie Wire Power Rankings: Victor Wembanyama maintains No. 1 spot after historic performance

Rookie Wire took a look at the top first-year players over the last two weeks of the 2023-24 season.

The regular season is past the trade deadline and approaching NBA All-Star Weekend, with the top players in the game set to compete in various events in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The crop of rookies continues to perform well this season, resulting in some remarkable performances of late. Led by Victor Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren, Brandon Miller, Scoot Henderson and others, they have captured national attention and have been fascinating at times.

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The class will be represented in the Rising Stars game, as 11 first-year players will participate in the revamped exhibition. Including 10 sophomores, and seven players from the G League, the game will feature the top up-and-coming players.

To make sense of it all, we looked at the best recent performances of these first-year players and ranked them in the Rookie Wire Power Rankings. The rankings are not for Rookie of the Year purposes but to illustrate the best players week to week.

Grizzlies rookie GG Jackson benched on Monday after violating team rule

Grizzlies rookie GG Jackson was held out of action on Monday against the Pelicans after violating a team rule.

Memphis Grizzlies rookie GG Jackson is inactive on Monday against the New Orleans Pelicans after violating a team rule, according to Damichael Cole of The Commercial Appeal.

Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins didn’t elaborate on the violation prior to the contest and only added that the 19-year-old would be available to play on Wednesday against the Houston Rockets. Jackson had played in the last 17 games after spending most of the season in the G League.

Jackson is averaging 10.1 points and 3.4 rebounds on 37.9% shooting from 3-point range in 21 appearances. He is eighth among first-year players in scoring and 10th in 3-point percentage.

Jackson signed a two-way contract with the Grizzlies after becoming the 45th pick in the 2023 NBA draft. The team rewarded him a standard contract on Friday after a productive run of late, reportedly worth $8.5 million over four years.

He emerged as one of the top players in the G League with the Memphis Hustle before joining the Grizzlies’ rotation on Jan. 12, averaging 20 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.3 blocks in 22 appearances.

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Grizzlies’ GG Jackson rewarded with standard contract after historic performance

Grizzlies rookie GG Jackson produced a historic performance and then rewarded with a new contract after a strong run of late.

Memphis Grizzlies rookie GG Jackson turned in a historic performance on Thursday and was then rewarded with a new contract after a strong run with the team.

Jackson, who is signed to a two-way contract, produced a career-high 27 points, nine rebounds, one assist and one steal in a 118-110 loss to the Chicago Bulls. He went 9-of-18 from the field, including 4-of-9 from 3-point range, in 32 minutes off the bench.

The 45th pick surpassed Kobe Bryant to become the youngest player in history to record at least 25 points off the bench (19 years, 53 days). He is one of 10 rookies this season with at least 25 points and five rebounds in a game.

He was appreciative of the chance to make history.

I feel like it will be stamped in Grizzlies history for a long time to come. I’ve said this before, but it isn’t me; it is all glory to God. The opportunity that has been put at hand, obviously, is unfortunate with injuries and things but you’ve got to go out there and take advantage.

Jackson has spent the majority of the season in the G League with the Memphis Hustle. However, the team recalled him last month from the Hustle amid a lengthy injury report, and the former South Carolina standout has contributed at a high level.

He is averaging 12.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists on 38.7% shooting from 3-point range in 15 games since entering the rotation on Jan. 12. He has scored in double figures 10 times in that span, including three 20-point performances.

After a productive run, the organization rewarded Jackson by signing him to a four-year contract on Friday. The contract is reportedly worth $8.5 million, with the first three years guaranteed, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

He seemingly reacted to the news early on Friday.

Jackson has impressed throughout the year since joining the Grizzlies. The team has been impressed by his development and will have him around for the foreseeable future after signing him into a long-term contract.

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