Tag: GG Jackson

Rookie Wire Power Rankings: Hornets’ Brandon Miller rises up past Chet Holmgren

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

Over half of the NBA season is in the books as teams and players around the league look ahead to the trade deadline and All-Star break in the next two weeks.

The trade chatter figures to ramp up considerably before the deadline on Feb. 8, with several teams expected to be active. The impending rumors and other speculation should once again create plenty of storylines to watch over the next several days.

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The league announced the All-Star starters for each conference last week and will unveil the reserve players on Thursday. Though there likely won’t be a rookie announced as an All-Star, the class will be well-represented during the NBA Rising Stars game on Feb. 16.

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.

Rookie Wire Power Rankings: Wemby retakes No. 1 amid minutes restriction

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

The schedule has reached the midway point of the 2023-24 season, as most teams around the NBA have played in at least half of their games to this point.

The halfway mark of the season serves as a milestone of sorts for the rookie class. Players who have appeared in most of their games have likely already surpassed their previous career high for games in a season, given that college teams typically play fewer than 40 games a year.

As cliche as it may be, the group could soon begin to hit the infamous rookie wall with the rigors of the schedule and other obstacles factoring into play. In other words: The second half will serve as a litmus test to see who is prepared for the stretch run.

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 coach Taylor Jenkins: GG Jackson will have more opportunities to play

Playing short-handed, GG Jackson II stepped up with a career performance to help lead the Grizzlies to a win over the Warriors.

Rookie GG Jackson II stepped up with a career performance to help lead the Memphis Grizzlies to a win over the Golden State Warriors on Monday despite playing short-handed.

Jackson produced 23 points, six rebounds, two steals, two blocked shots and one assist in the 116-107 victory at FedExForum. He went 6-of-9 from the field, including 5-of-8 from 3-point range, in 29 minutes of work off the bench.

The Grizzlies had 10 players available and were without Ja Morant, Desmond Bane and Marcus Smart. Jackson had eight points in the fourth quarter as the Grizzlies outscored the Warriors by 10 points in the period to claim their fifth win in eight games.

“With multiple guys being out, I’ve had to step up, as well,” Jackson said. “When you step up and play the amount of minutes that (I) played, the ball is naturally going to find you on the court. You gotta remember those reps. Your body has to create a carbon copy every time you shoot the ball and dribble, just trying to lean on the things you learned.”

Jackson, who is signed to a two-way contract, logged his eighth appearance with the Grizzlies. He has spent the majority of the season in the G League with the Memphis Hustle, but he recently returned with a growing injury report.

The 45th pick became the second-youngest player in history to record back-to-back 20-point games after scoring 20 points on Saturday (19 years, 29 days). LeBron James is the only other player to accomplish the feat at a younger age.

Following the performance, Jackson was interviewed by “Inside the NBA” on TNT. He had the opportunity to speak with Shaquille O’Neal and had an incredible reaction to hearing the Hall of Famer talk to him.

The opportunity for Jackson to play was earned in the G League.

Jackson is averaging 20 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.3 blocks on 43.1% shooting from the field in 22 games with the Hustle. He has scored in double figures 21 times, including five games with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds.

“Playing with the G League, you gotta take every game seriously,” Jackson told Ernie Johnson on TNT. “I try to play every game like it is an NBA game because that is the ultimate goal: To want to stay on this floor. I’ve been staying down, putting the work in, listening to everything the coaches are telling him to do and just trying to be as coachable as possible.”

The injury situation should enable Jackson to remain with the Grizzlies for the foreseeable future. Morant (shoulder) and Steven Adams (knee) are out for the season, while Jake LaRavia (ankle) is expected to miss at least three weeks. Bane (ankle) and Smart (finger) will miss six weeks.

He had totaled 12 points prior to his recent two-game stretch but now has the opportunity to log extended minutes. The team has been encouraged by his development in the G League and is eager to see what he can do with a larger role in the rotation.

“He is going to get some more (opportunities) moving forward, for sure,” Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said. “It is the product of him getting a feel of where his comfort is, where his athleticism can be displayed, the reads in a game offensively, defensively where he can make his mark. The biggest thing is him establishing a feel from jumping from college to the NBA, playing a lot in the G League and now two games in a row in the NBA.”

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The Grizzlies’ GG Jackson couldn’t believe he got to talk to Shaquille O’Neal after breakout game

Surprise!

Memphis Grizzlies rookie forward/center GG Jackson broke out in a big way with 23 points against the Golden State Warriors on Monday night.

His dominant breakthrough game helped Memphis get a 116-107 home victory, and it also helped him meet one of the greatest basketball players of all time.

The Inside the NBA crew talked with Jackson after his huge night, which included the Grizzlies rookie geeking out once he realized he was talking to Shaquille O’Neal.

Jackson’s reaction is just so wonderful and genuine, as he realizes he’s being interviewed by one of the most recognizable people in the history of the sport.

The Grizzlies have had a nightmarish season with injuries and Ja Morant’s suspension (and subsequent injury), but Jackson’s breakthrough is a silver lining for the future of the franchise.

This interview also should put a smile on all Grizzlies fans faces in the midst of a tough stretch of basketball.

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Grizzlies’ GG Jackson II shines in preseason run versus Hawks

GG Jackson II wants to prove himself this season with the Grizzlies, and the 45th pick did just that on Thursday.

GG Jackson II stated previously that he wants to prove himself this season with the Memphis Grizzlies, and the 45th pick did just that on Thursday versus the Atlanta Hawks.

With the Grizzlies resting their stars, Jackson produced a game-high 24 points, three rebounds, one assist and one blocked shot in the 103-102 loss. He recorded 10 points alone in the fourth quarter as the Grizzlies nearly overcame a 14-point second-half deficit.

His 24 points are the most scored by a rookie this preseason.

Jackson had the green light to shoot, going 9-of-23 from the field and 4-of-11 from 3-point range, but had the opportunity to play through mistakes to get an extended run. He even hit a clutch 3-pointer to put the Grizzlies up by one point with 59.7 seconds to play.

Jackson logged a preseason-high 25 minutes in the contest, his third appearance. The team has two games left before beginning the regular season on Oct. 25 and could look to get him more involved as it did against the Hawks.

Jackson signed a two-way contract with the Grizzlies and will spend the majority of the season in the G League. The opportunity to play with the Memphis Hustle should help him further develop his game, something he is looking forward to.

“I got a lot to prove, being the youngest on the team,” Jackson said on Oct. 2. “I’m really just looking forward to playing and taking on the challenge of development. It is going to be hard; it isn’t going to be easy. My trainer back in Dallas always told me, ‘The work is hard, but it is fair.’ If I just stick to that phrase, I feel like God will direct me down the right path.”

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Grizzlies sign 45th pick GG Jackson II to two-way contract

Jackson debuted with the Grizzlies in summer league, averaging 10.6 points and 4.8 rebounds in eight games.

Former South Carolina forward GG Jackson II, the 45th pick in the NBA draft, signed a two-way contract with the Memphis Grizzlies, the team announced.

Jackson was named to the SEC All-Freshman team last season after averaging 15.4 points and 5.9 rebounds. He was fifth in the country in scoring among first-year players and had the most 20-point games (11) by a Gamecocks freshman since the team joined the SEC in 1991.

The 6-foot-9 Jackson debuted with the Grizzlies in summer league, averaging 10.6 points and 4.8 rebounds in eight games between Salt Lake City and Las Vegas. He produced his best game on July 6 with 23 points, 10 rebounds and one block.

Jackson will split his time this season between the Grizzlies and the Memphis Hustle in the G League. He is eligible to spend no more than 50 games in the NBA and will earn a flat salary equal to 50% of the minimum salary applicable to a player with zero years of service.

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5 players remain unsigned from the 2023 NBA draft class

Of the 58 prospects selected in the NBA draft, five remain unsigned.

The bulk of the offseason transactions across the NBA have been completed as teams and players reached terms on contracts and extensions when free agency opened last month.

Of course, there are still some other moves to make as rosters are finalized ahead of training camp in early October. Teams can carry up to 21 players on rosters during the offseason, including three two-way contracts this year.

The 2023 NBA draft class is mostly signed as well. Of the 58 prospects drafted on June 22, five remain unsigned after the Los Angeles Clippers agreed to a pact with Jordan Miller, the 48th pick, on Monday. The five remaining unsigned players were selected in the second round.

Rookie Wire took a look at each player and their contract status.

Explaining why GG Jackson could fall out of the first round in the 2023 NBA Draft

Gregory “GG” Jackson II was considered the best collegiate prospect in the 2023 recruiting class.

Gregory “GG” Jackson II was considered the best collegiate prospect in the 2023 recruiting class. But his draft outlook doesn’t look great.

Jackson, who helped team Team USA to win a gold medal at the FIBA Americas Under-18 Championships in 2022, opted to reclassify and forego his senior year of high school, becoming the highest-rated recruit in program history for South Carolina.

He averaged 15.4 points and 5.9 rebounds per game, earning SEC All-Freshman honors, before declaring early entry for the 2023 NBA Draft. He is the youngest player eligible to hear his name called in this draft class.

By all accounts, an 18-year-old who performed at such a high level in the SEC would typically project as a potential lottery pick. But there are also valid reasons why Jackson may slide on the night of the draft.

Here is what one college coach told NBA reporter David Aldridge (via The Athletic):

“He’s got to have self-awareness as to what the next phase of his career is, because he did speed up the process. 
 mentally, was young, immature.”

NBA draft expert Jonathan Givony has more (via ESPN):

“He gives very little effort, looking very upright in his stance, not covering ground well, struggling to get over screens and looking lethargic with his reaction time, providing next to nothing as a rim-protector due to his poor 6-11 wingspan 
 South Carolina’s coaching staff hasn’t been able to coax much effort or physicality out of him, with his body language looking very concerning at times.”

South Carolina was outscored by a whopping 18.4 points per 100 possessions when Jackson was on the court, per CBB Analytics, but outscored opponents by 8.7 points per 100 when he was not. That swing (27.2) was the largest of any Division I men’s college basketball player to log at least 500 minutes last season.

Unfortunately, there were major concerns for Jackson on both offense and defense.

Jackson is a decent shooter for his size but offers very little efficiency. He averaged 0.70 points per offensive chance, per Stats Perform, which was the worst among all NBA prospects included in the latest aggregate mock draft provided by HoopsHype.

He can create his own shot but he shot just 31-for-119 (26.1 percent) on his jumpers off the dribble, per StatsPerform, also the worst among high-volume top prospects.

His defense wasn’t great, either. Opponents were 16-for-26 (61.5 percent) when defended by Jackson in the paint, per Stats Perform, and 18-for-28 (64.2 percent) when he was credited as the nearest defender in the restricted area. Both were near the worst among top prospects.

The pre-draft process also wasn’t kind to Jackson. Adam Finkelstein wrote about what he saw during Jackson’s Pro Day (via 247 Sports):

“GG Jackson’s workout led to some questions. Jackson looked noticeably winded less than 10 minutes in and, while the progression of his face-up skill-set was evident, the overall pace of the workout ended up being slower than most others. Given some of the questions that emerged at South Carolina this year with regard to his efficiency, body language, and overall maturity, this showing didn’t do anything to reassure NBA decision-makers.”

According to NBA Big Board director of scouting Raphael Barlowe, however, Jackson was dealing with bronchitis during the workout.

That was an unfortunate time for his illness, which provides helpful context to his performance, and the reality is that Jackson still has a ton of upside.

But the numbers don’t paint a positive picture of his outlook on draft night. Put it all together with the catch-all metric box plus-minus and Jackson (-0.5) had the lowest mark among all top prospects.

In fact, per Bart Torvik, there are only five players on record since 2008 to hear their name called on draft night after posting a negative box-plus minus during their collegiate careers. Only one was selected in the first round and only two were selected in the top 40.

We projected Jackson at No. 36 overall in our latest NBA mock draft.

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2023 NBA Mock Draft 5.0: 58 projections after the early entry withdrawal deadline

Rookie Wire took a look at where the next draft class stands following the early entry withdrawal deadline.

The NBA pre-draft process crossed another important checkpoint on the schedule with the early entry withdrawal deadline coming and going this week.

Prospects had the opportunity to test the waters and meet with teams to gain feedback on their potential draft stock. To maintain their remaining college eligibility, they had to withdraw from consideration by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Wednesday.

The deadline saw several potential second-round picks withdraw from the draft and return to school. With name, image and likeness playing a prevalent role in college basketball, players were likely swayed to stay one more year to work on their games and capitalize financially.

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The 2024 draft is also projected to be weaker than in past years, which also may have played a role in some players opting against turning pro. They likely believe they will have a greater chance of being a first-round pick next year.

With several players off the board, teams can prioritize workouts and interviews with those individuals remaining in the draft. As a result, players’ stock will continue to fluctuate with less than three weeks to go until the draft.

Rookie Wire took a look at where the draft stands following the early entry withdrawal deadline. Team needs were taken into consideration for these picks.

2023 NBA Mock Draft 3.0: Projections for every pick post-March Madness

Rookie Wire took a look at where the next draft class stands following the NCAA Tournament.

The NBA pre-draft process is in full swing as prospects around the world prepare to transition to the next level.

Teams around the league will begin hosting private workouts in the coming weeks as they finalize their draft boards. There will be various pro days on the radar and, of course, the draft combine and G League Elite Camp next month in Chicago, Illinois.

Underclassmen have until April 23 to declare for the draft. Several notable players have already decided to return to school, including Kyle Filipowski, Harrison Ingram, Baylor Scheierman and Kel’el Ware. Others are still mulling over their decisions.

Related: Key dates for NBA draft, combine, lottery and deadlines

With players still in the process of making decisions, some prospects were excluded from this mock draft because they are projected to return to school next season. However, most players projected to be drafted have already announced their decisions.

Rookie Wire took a look at where the draft stands following the NCAA Tournament. It is important to note that team needs were not necessarily taken into account with each pick. The projections are rather a look at where each individual player stands at this point of the process.

Note: The order of the draft was pulled from Tankathon as of April 14. The draft will have only 58 picks this year because the Bulls and 76ers were stripped of their second-round picks by the NBA due to tampering violations.