Former Michigan State bigs Jaren Jackson, Jr., Draymond Green headline All-Defensive Teams
Two former Michigan State basketball players headlined the NBA All-Defensive teams, which were released Tuesday afternoon.
Memphis Grizzlies power forward Jaren Jackson, Jr. made the All-Defensive First Team, while Golden State Warriors power forward Draymond Green made the All-Defensive Second Team. This is the second year in a row that Jackson, Jr. and Green have both made an All-Defensive team.
Jackson, Jr. was named the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year on April 17 after leading the league with three blocks per game. He also finished second in the league with 189 total blocks, just four behind Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez.
Opponents shot 46.9 percent against Jackson, Jr. at the rim, which also led the league. As a result of his league-leading numbers, Jackson, Jr. received the most First Team votes (96) of any player named to an All-Defensive team.
Jackson, Jr. was also named to the All-Defensive First Team last season after finishing fifth in Defensive Player of the Year voting.
Despite playing just one season at Michigan State, Jackson, Jr. is tied with Delvon Roe for ninth place on the Spartans’ career blocked shots list with 106. Jackson, Jr.’s 106 blocks are the most by a Spartan in a single season, and his eight blocks against Rutgers on Jan. 10, 2018 are tied for most by a Spartan in a single game.
Jackson, Jr. finished the 2023 season averaging 18.6 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. His No. 2-seed Grizzlies were eliminated by the No. 7-seed Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.
Green made his eighth-career All-Defensive Team after earning Second Team honors this season. He earned 21 First Team votes and 47 Second Team votes after finishing fourth in Defensive Player of the Year voting this season.
Top 10
- 1
Not alright, alright
McConaughey admonishes Texas fans
- 2
Back to Arnold
OU names Jackson Arnold starting QB
- 3Trending
Heisman Trophy talk
Ashton Jeanty responds to Travis Hunter
- 4
National Championship Odds
New betting favorite emerges after Week 8 of college football
- 5
Quinn Ewers
Texas QB not sitting out the rest of season despite erroneous Instagram report
Green won the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2017 and has been a crucial part of the Warriors’ defense since he was drafted by the organization in 2012. Green finished the 2022-23 season averaging 8.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, 6.8 assists, one steal and 0.8 blocks per game.
Green finished his four-year Michigan State career with 180 steals, which places him second in program history behind Mateen Cleaves’ 195. Green is also sixth in program history with 60 steals in a single season, which he achieved in 2010-11.
Green ranks eighth on Michigan State’s all-time block list with 117, and his six blocks against Lehigh on Dec. 22, 2011 rank sixth most in program history for a single game. Green also leads Michigan State in career rebounds (1,096) and single-season rebounds (394).
Green’s No. 6-seed Warriors currently trail the No. 7-seed Lakers in the second round of the NBA Playoffs, three games to one. Game five is scheduled for Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET.
Joining Jackson, Jr. on the All-Defensive First Team are Lopez, Chicago Bulls guard Alex Caruso, Bucks guard Jrue Holiday and Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley.
Green is joined by Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo, Toronto Raptors forward O.G. Anunoby, Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks and Boston Celtics guard Derrick White on the All-Defensive Second Team.
