Drafting Jaren Jackson Jr.
In drafting 18-year-old Jaren Jackson Jr., the Grizzlies added much-needed youth to their roster that they can build around for the next era while also getting an impact player in the short-term.
At 6’10” with a 7’4″ wingspan and 9’1″ standing reach, Jackson has both the size and length to go along with high-level athleticism that will allow him to become a dynamic defender in the NBA.
He showed glimpses during NBA Summer League, particularly when it came to his ability to block shots. It’s a part of his game that should translate immediately. After averaging 3.0 blocks per game in his lone year at Michigan State, Jackson averaged 2.3 over three games in the Utah Summer League and was even better in Las Vegas, sending away 3.8 shots per game over five contests.
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He’ll have to add some bulk (236 pounds) if he wants to reach his full potential on the defensive end of the floor though. JJJ will likely struggle to defend bigger players in the post early on, and his slight frame has been an issue for him on the boards.
That will all come in time though. Right now, he should be able to get by on his athleticism alone, and Memphis will be able to deploy him as someone who can defend multiple positions.
Offensively, Jackson has the makings of a modern-day big. He can stretch the floor out to the 3-point line, where he shot 39.6 percent on 2.7 attempts per game in college, and he has shown an impressive ability to score with either hand near the basket.
Though he didn’t exactly light the scoreboard up during Summer League (15.7 points per game in Utah, 11.2 points per game in Vegas), his 29-point debut in which he made eight 3s was something to behold.
Jaren Jackson Jr. likely won’t be a high-volume 3-point shooter at any point in his career, but much like his skills on the defensive end, he has an intriguing versatility to his offensive game. And again, he’s just 18 years old. His ceiling is unknown at the moment and the Grizzlies should be confident they got one of the more promising players in the 2018 NBA Draft class.
Grade: A