Could GG Jackson Make an NBA All-Rookie Team?

The 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend and Game is in the books, and for whatever opinion you may have of the events, the thing that matters most to many across the NBA is a few relaxing days ahead before the second half of the season starts. For the Memphis Grizzlies, the overall outcome of their season is likely already known due to injuries and other developments that have simply not gone their way this season. However, that does not mean that the Grizzlies franchise and fan base has lost excitement for games resuming later this week. In fact, after a significant win over the Milwaukee Bucks thanks to the play of Vince Williams Jr., GG Jackson, and Ziaire Williams to end the first half of the season, the Grizzlies are hoping each player will build off that performances for a productive second half to the season.

The recent play of GG Jackson is particularly intriguing, given his pedigree and how he has made the most of his opportunity with the Grizzlies over the past month. If Vince Williams Jr. was rightfully the talk of the town during the 2023 holiday season, then Jackson has legitimately been the proper buzz around the Bluff City in 2024. Over the past five weeks, Jackson has put together many notable performances, reaching levels of production that only future Hall of Famers have done at his age. In fact, over his past 10 games, Jackson has averaged 16.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.6 threes, and nearly 2 “stocks” per game while shooting 43.5% from the field and 37.3% from beyond the arc. This includes three 20+ point performances over his past four games, as Jackson has become a clear go-to offensive option for the Grizzlies.

With Jackson’s emergence and growing impact over the past month, he clearly has made himself a significant part of the Grizzlies future. Evidence of this can be found in the recent long-term deal Jackson signed with Memphis. Furthermore, it is hard to deny that over the past month, Jackson has emerged as one of the best rookies in the 2023-2024 class. This could be a surprise to many around the league given the fact that Jackson was drafted 45th in the 2023 draft and that he was regularly playing in Southaven through the start of January. However, when considering his pedigree and natural talent, Jackson is simply starting to deliver on the immense potential many have felt he has had for years.

As a result of his recent play, Jackson has started to catch the eye of many around the league. Multiple teammates and even opposing All-Stars have been impressed with his production. As a result, a fun narrative could be worth following over the second half of the season if Jackson were to keep up his quality of play:

Could he earn an All-Rookie team selection for the 2023-2024 season?

A gut reaction based off recent results could make this a feasible expectation. However, with nearly two-thirds of the season complete, it is hard to base the answer to this question just off the past month or so of play. This is because the 2023-2024 rookie class is one of the deepest in recent history due to quantity and quality, with many members of the class becoming established as franchise cornerstones or significant future contributors for their respective franchises. Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren look like future All-NBA performers and potential Defensive Players of the Year, while others, such as Brandon Miller, are flashing All-Star potential. When you add in the fact that many rookies have played in 15 or more games than Jackson so far this year, the simple truth is that Jackson’s pursuit of making an All-Rookie team will he a tough hill to climb.

Many annual NBA individual and team honors are based on overall production, especially when it comes to counting statistics. Due to Jackson not having a consistent role with the Grizzlies until early January, the lack of counting stats will be a clear obstacle for Jackson to overcome in earning All-Rookie team honors. Currently, Jackson ranks 25th in minutes, 18th in points, 15th in threes made, 18th in rebounds, and 13th in blocks. Yes, it is impressive that Jackson is among the top 20 in many categories despite being 25th in minutes. But many of the rookies in front of Jackson in the running for spots on the All-Rookie teams have had rotation roles all year long and are continuing to perform at reasonable or strong rates themselves. As a result, the overall amount of production from Jackson may not be that impressive on his All-Rookie resume.

If overall quantity is going to be an obstacle Jackson may have a hard time overcoming to make an All-Rookie team, the quality of his play per game will need to continue to stand out compared to his peers. And from a per game perspective, Jackson’s resume becomes a bit more impressive. Among the 34 rookies who have played in at least 20 games this year, Jackson is 8th in ppg and 4th 3PM per game. Among the 8 players in that group averaging 10+ points a game, Jackson is one of two who is shooting 45% or better from the field and 40% or better from three. The only four rookies averaging 10+ points and .5 steals and .5 blocks per game are Wemby, Holmgren, Miller, and Jackson. So when you stack Jackson up against his peers based on per game quality, his production starts to stand out.

Where Jackson really starts to look impressive is over the past month, both in terms of quality and quantity. Over the month of play before the All-Star Break, Jackson is among the top 3 NBA rookies in total points, three pointers made, and blocks. He is also in the top 10 among rookies in rebounds and steals. Among the nine rookies who have played 800 or more possessions over that time frame, only Miller and Wemby have a higher TS%. The simple truth is that since Jackson has become a significant part of the Grizzlies rotation over the past month, he has performed like a Top 5 rookie in this class. If that continues in the second half of the season, it will be hard to deny his All-Rookie candidacy.

Perhaps the best opportunity Jackson has to stand out among his peers is outstanding performances. Despite playing half the number of games of many of the other top rookies in this class, Jackson already is among the top 10 in 20+ point games and 25+ point games. He is one of only five rookies with multiple games of 20+ points and 5+ made threes. And as mentioned above, with 20+ points in three of his past four contests, the frequency of stand-out performances from Jackson is only improving. Beyond points, Jackson’s “activity” has also increased in terms of rebounds, steals, and blocks. If Jackson continues to frequently score at levels only few other rookies in this class have while also improving his non-scoring activity, the amount of outstanding performances for him could overcome others who may have higher overall quantity in certain areas.

Of course, for Jackson to continue to deliver these outstanding performances, significant opportunity will need to be consistent. And with Desmond Bane, Marcus Smart, and others potentially returning in the near future for Memphis, Jackson may not get as many looks at the basket or have the ball in his hands as much. However, in the month before the All-Star Break, Jackson was third in points scored, threes made, and blocks off the bench among all players in the NBA, not just rookies. This shows that even when Smart and Bane return, Jackson has clearly thrived in his role being featured off the bench. And with how much potential he has shown, Memphis will clearly look to continue to give him plenty of opportunities to thrive.

So currently, based on the information above, if Jackson continues to play at the level he is currently playing, he certainly could create a resume worthy of making an All-Rookie team. But with so many other rookies also having impressive campaigns, the likelihood of Jackson earning that distinction still remains an uphill battle. With Wemby, Holmgren, Miller, and others having played the full season, Jackson’s only shot would be for All-Rookie Second team honors. And for that to happen, the quality of his play must continue to standout compared to the quantity of others.

But the mere fact Jackson even has a chance to earn that honor in this rookie class is extremely impressive. In the end, Jackson can only control the consistency in the quality of his play. And if that remains near a top five level among his peers in this rookie class for the rest of the season, he will have certainly made a compelling case for All-Rookie honors. The big key is Memphis continuing to give him every opportunity to do just that, and Jackson making the most of those moments.