The Memphis Grizzlies are in the midst of a franchise reset, but one young forward is making the transition beyond the Ja Morant era look surprisingly smooth. GG Jackson, at just 21 years old, is quickly becoming one of the NBA's most intriguing young talents. His rise from a second-round pick to a key player is turning heads, and coach Tuomas Iisalo isn’t holding back on what makes Jackson so special.
Since January 31, Jackson has been putting up impressive numbers: 17.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.7 steals/blocks per game, while shooting a remarkable 47.8% from three-point range. These stats echo his rookie season, but now, with an increased usage rate of 23.3 and taking 4.2 three-point attempts per game, Jackson is showing signs of settling into his role as an NBA veteran.
“(Jackson) has made big strides throughout the season,” Iisalo noted. “We talked about it with GG during his summer league that his superpower is getting to the paint.
His efficiency is at career-highs right now. How he's finishing in those situations is a testament to his hard work.”
Jackson’s knack for attacking the rim with length, touch, and growing confidence could be crucial as the Grizzlies move forward without Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. While the team waits for Morant’s return from injury or considers a new direction, Jackson’s development offers a glimpse of a reliable scoring option capable of leading the offense.
Iisalo envisions a team with a traditional point guard who can set the table, while players like Jackson, with size and shooting range, finish plays. The Grizzlies will need someone to put pressure on defenses as the season closes. EVP Zach Kleiman is seeing plenty of evidence that Jackson is ready for a bigger role and perhaps a multi-year contract extension this summer.
“(Jackson) is playing way simpler offensively,” Iisalo emphasized. “He's playing well off the catch and finding the open guys.
He still has to balance aggressiveness and patience. Defensively, he's improved at the point of attack.
There are areas for growth, like defensive awareness and rebounding, but his progress is encouraging, and offensively he’s become a real weapon.”
At 21, Jackson already has three seasons under his belt, a rarity in today’s NCAA NIL/Portal Era. After a strong rookie season, he took a step back last year as the Grizzlies’ core aimed for a title, only to end up in the NBA Play-In Tournament. Yet, Jackson’s patience and readiness to seize opportunities may soon pay off.
Iisalo is eager to see just how far Jackson can go this season. With his ability to crash the paint, stretch the floor, and defend multiple positions, Jackson is a perfect fit for the modern NBA. Teamed with players like Zach Edey, Santi Aldama, and a standout point guard from the 2026 NBA Draft, Memphis could be poised to contend once again.