Tag: Jaren Jackson Jr.

LOOK: Jaren Jackson Jr. calls for Michigan State basketball to build Cassius Winston statue

LOOK: Jaren Jackson Jr. calls for Michigan State basketball to build Cassius Winston statue

You could make a strong case that Jaren Jackson Jr. is the best Michigan State basketball player currently playing pro basketball right now, but on Friday, he called for the Spartans to build a statue for another MSU legend.

The College Basketball Report social media account posted highlights from Cassius Winston’s senior season Friday morning, to which JJJ simply said: ‘Statue asap.’

Fans, would you like to see MSU build a Cassius Winston statue? I’d say yes, if it came with plans to build a Mateen Cleaves one as well. It’s only fair.

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Michigan State basketball great Jaren Jackson Jr. named to US Basketball Olympic National Team player pool

Jaren Jackson Jr. named to US Basketball Olympic National Team player pool

This past summer, Jaren Jackson Jr. had a bit of a breakout moment on the United States National Select Basketball team, when he became arguably the star of that group on both ends of the floor. On Tuesday, USA Basketball revealed the 41-player pool they will be using to select the 12-person Olympic team, and Jaren Jackson Jr., unsurprisingly, was on that list.

The group was compiled by NCAA and NBA legend Grant Hill.

You can see all 41 members of the player pool below:

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Andrew Brewster on Twitter @IAmBrewster.

In Memphis return, Dillon Brooks cooks Grizzlies as Rockets win fifth straight

In his first return to Memphis as a visitor, Dillon Brooks (team-high 26 points) hit a dagger 3-pointer in the final minute and led Houston (13-9) to a fifth straight win.

In his first return to Memphis since playing six seasons for the Grizzlies, Dillon Brooks scored a team-high 26 points for the Rockets — including 24 in the second half — as Houston stormed back from an early 17-point deficit to win Friday’s game, 103-96 (box score).

Brooks hit 10-of-20 shots from the field (50.0%) and 3-of-9 from 3-point range (33.3%), including a dagger in the game’s final minute. With the win, Houston (13-9) has now won five straight, overall.

That was enough to withstand a spirited effort by the Grizzlies (6-18), who were led by 28 points and 13 rebounds from Desmond Bane. Jaren Jackson Jr. added 22 points and 4 blocked shots.

Beyond Brooks, other Houston players who scored in double figures versus the Grizzlies included:

  • Fred VanVleet: 16 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds, 4 steals; 5-of-12 shooting (41.7%), 2-of-4 on 3-pointers (50.0%)
  • Alperen Sengun: 15 points, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks, 2 steals; 4-of-12 shooting (33.3%), 7-of-7 on free throws
  • Jalen Green: 14 points, 4 assists, 4 rebounds; 4-of-12 shooting (33.3%), 3-of-7 on 3-pointers (42.9%)
  • Jeff Green: 12 points, 4 rebounds in 19 minutes; 3-of-9 shooting (33.3%), 6-of-7 on free throws (85.7%)
  • Tari Eason: 11 points, 8 rebounds 2 steals in 23 minutes; 4-of-8 shooting (50.0%), 1-of-1 on 3-pointers

The Rockets were without a pair of reserves in Amen Thompson and Jae’Sean Tate, with each sitting out due to an illness.

Here’s our look at highlights and postgame interviews after Friday’s game, along with reaction by media members and fans. Next up for the Rockets, as a three-game road trip continues, is Sunday’s tough matchup at Milwaukee (17-7). Tipoff is at 6:00 p.m. Central.

As 2023-24 season passes quarter pole, surging Rockets see clear progress

“They are playing through the right guys and playing winning basketball,” Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. tells @BigSargeSportz of the Rockets.

With over a quarter of the 2023-24 NBA season complete, the Houston Rockets find themselves in an excellent situation.

They are 12-9. Extrapolated over a full 82-game schedule, that is 47 games, which typically translates to a playoff berth or at least a play-in tournament spot.

At the same point last season, they were 5-16 and on their way to a third straight finish either last or tied for last in the Western Conference.

Last season, those lonely wins often come after an extended losing streak. But under new head coach Ime Udoka, Houston has learned to overcome adversity after dropping consecutive games.

During the first 20 games of a tumultuous 2022-23 season, when many of the younger players were still learning to navigate an NBA schedule under then-coach Stephen Silas, Houston’s longest winning streak was two games. With Udoka, they won a season-best six straight in November and are on a four-game streak.

“I like where we are at,” Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. said earlier this week. “I know that there is a lot that we can improve on, and that is what I am excited about most. I feel like we are not as near as what we can be. We are still figuring each other out, I am just happy that we can sit right here with a winning record and still learning each other. So, I am happy about that.”

What has kept the Rockets in a lot of games this season is their improved defense. Entering Wednesday, Houston ranked first in points per game allowed (105.6) while giving up the lowest 3-point percentage (31.7%) and second-lowest field goal percentage (43.7%) among all 30 NBA teams.

“We are feisty,” veteran forward Jeff Green said. “We are going to continue to play hard and continue to play as a team. There are no selfish guys on this team, and we all want to win.”

Other teams are noticing the new-look Rockets, who supplemented their young core with veterans Green, Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks. Their offseason transformation has stopped the chatter around the NBA that the Rockets are easy to defeat.

“They are playing hard, and they have a good bench unit,” Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. told Rockets Wire during Wednesday’s team shootaround. “They play good defense, and they play faster. I think a lot of the guys who need to get shots are getting them. They are playing through the right guys and playing winning basketball.”

One major issue that has plagued Houston is its road inefficiency. It is 1-8 on the road, though the one win was an impressive one: last Friday versus defending NBA champion Denver. Once the Rockets can transfer their home magic (11-1) to the road, Houston could find a formula for playoff contention.

Although he has struggled at times, third-year guard Jalen Green has seen improvement in himself and his other young teammates, who have elevated their games in the opening weeks.

“I think we’re in a good spot,” Green told reporters this week. “Obviously, we could be better. There is always room for improvement. There are little things we can get better at. Overall, I think everybody is getting better and getting to know each other, which helps each other know what to do day in and day out.”

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Rockets 117, Grizzlies 104: Tari Eason’s career night extends winning streaks

With a career-high 25 points and 14 rebounds versus Memphis, Tari Eason lifted Houston to its fourth consecutive win and 11th straight at home.

Two nights after sparking the Rockets in what had been sluggish performance versus the Spurs, second-year forward Tari Eason did it again in Wednesday’s 117-104 win (box score) over Memphis. Houston (12-9) has now won four consecutive games, overall, and 11 straight at home, while Memphis (6-17) has lost three in a row.

Eason shot 10-of-16 overall (62.5%) and 3-of-4 on 3-pointers (75.0%) while finishing with 25 points and 14 rebounds, both career highs. The Rockets were +19 in his 27 minutes, best of any player.

Jabari Smith Jr., who was drafted along with Eason in the 2022 first round, finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds while shooting 7-of-10 from the field (70.0%) and 3-of-5 on 3-pointers (60.0%).

Between the two, it was enough for Houston to withstand a monster game by Memphis forward Jaren Jackson Jr., who had a career-high 44 points (62.5% FG, 37.5% on 3-pointers), 7 rebounds, and 4 steals.

Eason and Smith’s brilliance was also enough for the Rockets to survive off nights by third-year prospects Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green, who both earned seats on the bench during the fourth quarter. Sengun had 9 points and 10 rebounds while shooting 2-of-8 from the field (25.0%), while Green finished with 8 points and 4 assists while shooting 2-of-12 (16.7%) and 0-of-5 on 3-pointers.

Besides Smith and Eason, other Houston players who scored in double figures versus the Grizzlies included:

  • Fred VanVleet: 11 points, 9 assists, 5 rebounds, 3 steals; 2-of-8 shooting (25.0%), 0-of-3 on 3-pointers, 7-of-9 on free throws (77.8%)
  • Dillon Brooks: 11 points, 2 rebounds, 6 fouls; 4-of-8 shooting (50.0%), 1-of-3 on 3-pointers (33.3%)
  • Jae’Sean Tate: 10 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists; 4-of-9 shooting (44.4%), 1-of-4 on 3-pointers (25.0%)

Here’s our look at highlights and postgame interviews after Wednesday’s game, along with reaction by media members and fans. Next up for the Rockets, as a three-game road trip begins, is part two of a home-and-home series of games with the Grizzlies. Friday’s rematch tips at 7:00 p.m. Central from FedExForum in Memphis.

Reaction: ‘Dunkstronaut’ Jalen Green erupts in second half as Rockets blast Grizzlies

Jalen Green erupted with 26 second-half points, including an emphatic dunk over Jaren Jackson Jr., as Houston crushed Memphis and improved to 7-1 at home.

HOUSTON — In the opener of a brief two-game homestand at Toyota Center, the Rockets enjoyed a second-half explosion in Wednesday’s 111-91 blowout (box score) over the visiting Memphis Grizzlies.

Jalen Green scored 26 of his season-high 34 points in the second half, and the Rockets scored 66 in that half while limiting Memphis to only 45. Green shot 13-of-26 from the field (50.0%) over his 30 minutes on the night, and he was also tied for a team-high 4 assists.

Green’s exploits included an emphatic dunk over Jaren Jackson Jr., a perennial NBA Defensive Player of the Year candidate, in the closing seconds of the third quarter.

Besides Green, other standout players for the Rockets (7-6) —  who are now 7-1 at home this season — included:

  • Jabari Smith Jr.: 18 points, 9 rebounds; 6-of-10 shooting (60.0%), 3-of-4 on 3-pointers (75.0%)
  • Fred VanVleet: 16 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals; 5-of-12 shooting (41.7%), 4-of-8 on 3-pointers (50.0%)
  • Dillon Brooks: 13 points, 5 rebounds; 4-of-14 shooting (28.6%), 0-of-5 on 3-pointers
  • Alperen Sengun: 11 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks; 4-of-9 shooting (44.4%), 1-of-1 on 3-pointers

Jackson led the Grizzlies with 23 points and 7 rebounds in 37 minutes, though Houston limited him to just 7-of-21 shooting (33.3%) from the field and 0-of-4 on 3-pointers. Memphis remains without superstar guard Ja Morant due to a 25-game league suspension.

Here’s our look at highlights and postgame interviews following Wednesday night’s game versus the Grizzlies, along with reaction by media members and fans. Next up for Houston is Friday’s homestand finale versus Denver, with tipoff set for 7 p.m. Central. That game will also count toward the NBA’s 2023-24 in-season tournament.

WATCH: Jaren Jackson Jr. denies Zion Williamson with huge block

Spartans continue to get the best of Zion Williamson:

Former Michigan State big, and current Memphis Grizzlies power forward, Jaren Jackson Jr. is known for what he can do on the defensive end of the court. He is a player that makes an impact protecting the rim every time he is on the court and he did it once again, in a big way.

In Memphis’ game against New Orleans, Pelicans star Zion Williamson went up for a huge dunk, but was met by the former Spartan and rejected.

Watch the huge block:

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Ranking the NBA’s 10 best star trios (now including Dame, Giannis and Middleton)

Can anyone compete with the defending champs?

You need a lot of star power on your roster in order to win a championship in the NBA and several teams just added significant talent.

As the offseason ended, the Bucks traded for Damian Lillard while the Celtics added Jrue Holiday. Earlier this offseason, meanwhile, the Suns added Bradley Beal to a lineup that already had Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. But how do these revamped contenders stack up with the league’s top three-man lineups?

Many publications have ranked the best duos in the NBA — which you can read here, here, here or here. But we wanted to look at the best star trios in the league right now. Here is what we concluded:

Note: Net rating is how many points per 100 possession each team has outscored opponents when these three players are on the court at the same time.

Ranking the Top 10 big men for Team USA if Joel Embiid declines invitation to Paris Olympics in 2024

Anthony Davis is the top option but there are some interesting sleepers, too.

After shockingly failing to medal during the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Team USA has lots of questions to answer before the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

One of the reasons why Team USA struggled to even earn a bronze medal was due to a lack of size in the frontcourt. They struggled on the defensive end of the floor and had a massive deficiency when it came to rebounding the ball.

This is a team that will need legitimate big men in order to compete with tough international talent in the post such as Serbia’s Nikola Jokic as well as France’s Rudy Gobert and Victor Wembanyama.

Team USA head coach Steve Kerr was asked about what changes may come before the Olympics and he mentioned that the team needed to have very specific intentions when it came to the types of big men they would target for the roster (via The Athletic):

“I think it’s a worthwhile point of discussion, but the discussion has to go to, ‘OK, then who is that?” […] “You can’t just say, we’re going to have size for size’s sake. You have to have players who are going to help you win, and you have to determine who those guys are. It’s not just the size, it’s the way the game is played. […] But I don’t think it’s as simple as saying it’s just size. I think you have to examine who you’re talking about if you go down that path.”

Of course, the first name that comes to mind is Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid. He could join the likes of Hakeem Olajuwon, who helped lead Team USA to win a gold medal at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta after he became a naturalized citizen of the United States.

The six-time All-Star is an international free agent who is eligible to play for Team Cameroon (after they clinched a spot to compete in the FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament) as well as Team France and Team USA.

Team USA managing director Grant Hill said Embiid “knows our desire” to have him on the team. According to Brian Windhorst, however, it’s too early to assume that the league’s reigning MVP will decide to actually suit up for the Americans at the 2024 Olympics in Paris (via ESPN):

“Team USA has done some recruiting of Joel Embiid, who holds both United States and French citizenship, but the Philadelphia 76ers star has thus far been noncommittal.”

So if Team USA is not able to successfully recruit Embiid, here are the other top options that they could consider:

Anthony Edwards mocked Jaren Jackson Jr. mid-dunk for getting out of way in Team USA practice

Anthony Edwards is an elite trash talker.

As Team USA has been practicing for the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, the team has certainly been having a little fun with the tournament prep.

During a scrimmage this week, Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards got some playful trash-taking in at Memphis Grizzlies star Jaren Jackson Jr. as the latter got out of the way as Edwards dunked the ball.

“Jump! Ain’t you Defensive Player of the Year?” Edwards quipped to Jackson during the practice session, which likely fueled more friendly competition between these two on the court.

While Jackson was indeed the NBA’s top defensive player last season, it clearly won’t stop Edwards from getting some amicable trolling in on the practice floor.

Hey, Edwards is as good at trash-talking as he is at basketball, and we bet that Jackson won’t go easy on him on the next possession.

However, the two will be teammates cheering each other on in the Basketball World Cup sooner than later.