Patient, GG Jackson waits his turn in Memphis

A surprising rookie Grizzlies two years ago, able to flirt with an average of 15 points at just 19 years old, when Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bain were piling up with injuries, GG Jackson since then he has fallen into line.

It must be said that the rotation of Memphis he is no longer as weakened as before and, to make matters worse, he is also spent long weeks in the infirmary in 2024/25. In the meantime, the identity of his coach on the bench has changed and now Tuomas Iisalo has to lead to Tennessee.

« GG is still very valuable to us » convinced still his coach, in the preseason. ” It’s easy to forget that he’s still the youngest player on our team, even though he’s already in his third year in the pros. He has worked exceptionally hard all summer, is looking to become a more complete player and is moving in the right direction. »

Accept your destiny and strive differently

As Tuomas Iisalo points out, GG Jackson is not yet 21 years old, but he already has a lot of NBA experience. Knowing, for example, that the season is long and an opportunity could come quickly…

« I feel like I’ve already passed the stage where I worried too much… » puts things into perspective about his playing time, which went from 26 to 16 and then 9 minutes. ” Last season I probably would have played with my nails on the bench, but now I focus on what I can control. »

After a week of competition, GG Jackson has played just two games (averaging 2.5 points), but is looking for a different spot in the Grizzlies’ rotation. Putting more weight on defense could already increase his minutes.

« I like the way I play. I don’t take a lot of points to my head and I feel like I’ve really improved defensively. But not to say that I have become an elite in this field, or anything like that » announces the 45th pick of the 2023 Draft.

A natural forward, GG Jackson also did not fail to please Tuomas Iisal in the pre-season, who saw an improvement in his game and in terms of his consistency, after taking over… in the Summer League.

« During evenings like this you can see all his potential (last preseason game won against Miami, editor’s note)when he puts all the ingredients in place, and I have a feeling these streaks are getting longer as the matches go on » appreciated the Finnish technician.

How to read statistics? MJ = matches played; Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / 3 points in an attempt; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive jump; Tot = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; Points = Points.