NBA veteran Paul George tabs former Gamecock GG Jackson as underrated star, complete player
Former South Carolina forward GG Jackson took the basketball world by storm in his first season as a professional.
Selected with the No. 44 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Jackson was not expected to play a major role for the Memphis Grizzlies this past season. In fact, he originally signed with a two-way contract, which stipulated he would split time between the Grizzlies and the Memphis Hustle, its G League affiliate.
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But he would quickly prove why he belonged amongst the best professional basketball players in the world. In the process, many of the sport’s important figures — media personalities and players alike — took notice.
Among the group of players impressed by Jackson is Paul George, a 14-year NBA veteran and nine-time All-Star. George raved about Jackson’s potential in a recent episode of his podcast, Podcast P with Paul George.
“I don’t know why this player hasn’t had more recognition around the league for his age and what he’s done with this group. I think he’s a ton of talent,” George said. “Memphis took a swing on him, and it paid off.”
The Grizzlies spent much of last season without its best players. Ja Morant, a Dalzell, South Carolina native and former lottery pick, played only nine games due to injury and suspension.
As a result, Jackson was provided ample playing time and opportunities to leave an impact on the team, George said.
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“I know they were on a team that was kind of limited with injuries and Ja not being there. But I thought he stepped in when the light was a little dim in Memphis and shared his light to kind of make a showcase that he’s here to stay in the NBA,” George said.
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Jackson took advantage of that opportunity on his way to a productive debut season with the Grizzlies. He appeared in 48 games last season, averaging 25.7 minutes in addition to 14.6 points per game. He also recorded 4.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game on his way to NBA All-Rookie Second Team honors.
George said Jackson’s all-around game is what differentiates him from other young players.
“I think he’s just kind of complete. We talk about players and their completeness and being able to play a whole game. I think he goes into that same category as a big wing that can score it at a high level,” George said. “He can rebound. He defends. He’s super athletic.”
He added that Jackson’s age – 18 years old at the start of the season, and 19 by the end of the campaign – makes what he’s doing all the more impressive.
“He doesn’t get talked about enough in the conversations of the youngest guys to do it. You talk about – I’m not putting him in that category – the greats. He potentially could have been an ‘out of high school’ player. For his ceiling after this first year, he performed better than Kobe (Bryant) at that age,” George said. “So, I don’t think he’s getting talked about when you put him under that light of guys that came into this league (and) been successful in this league to start their career off at that early of an age.”
