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Memphis Grizzlies select GG Jackson in 2023 NBA Draft

On3-Social-Profile_GRAYby:On3 Staff Report•06/22/23
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GG Jackson (Chris Gillespie/GamecockCentral)

The Memphis Grizzlies selected South Carolina freshman phenom GG Jackson in the 2023 NBA Draft on Thursday night, taking him with the No. 45 overall pick.

Jackson spent just one year in the college ranks but was the unquestioned star at South Carolina. He averaged 15.4 points and 5.9 rebounds per game while appearing in 32 games and soaking up 32.0 minutes per contest.

He was named the SEC Freshman of the Week in the very first week of the season after averaging 15.0 points and 9.0 rebounds per game in contests against SC State and Clemson. Those performances would not be the last stellar outings for the freshman.

Jackson went for 30 points and eight rebounds in a January loss to Auburn, while he topped the 20-point mark in 10 other games.

For his play during the 2022-23 season, Jackson was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team after the season.

Prior to enrolling at South Carolina, Jackson was a highly coveted prospect in the 2022 recruiting class. He was a five-star, rated as the No. 8 overall player in the nation, the No. 2 power forward in the class and the No. 1 player in the state of South Carolina, hailing from Columbia (S.C.) Ridge View.

What NBA Draft experts are saying about GG Jackson

Despite the fact that Jackson was only in college for year, most NBA analysts believe he’s a very high-upside prospect who will continue to develop at the next level. He certainly has the size and skill set to be a force.

That said, Jackson did take a little while to integrate into the team concept with the Gamecocks, so he’ll be best suited in the NBA with strong veteran leadership around him.

This is what Rotowire had to say about the elite 6-foot-9 forward.

“Jackson plays at his own rhythm and has the tools to be an elite self-creator. He was asked to create shots outside of his comfort zone in college, as South Carolina’s offense was jumbled. He projects as a more efficient player once comfortable in a well-oiled NBA offense, but Jackson may still be a go-to option when the possession needs a bailout. He’s shown an ability to fill different roles on offense — ballhandler, screener, cutter, post-up — due to his fluidity, shooting ability and size.”