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GG Jackson's new contract is one of 'biggest blessings'; Memphis Grizzlies expect more
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- GG Jackson's new contract is one of 'biggest blessings'; Memphis Grizzlies expect more
GG Jackson wanted to cry.
The Memphis Grizzlies rookie signed on the dotted line of a four-year deal that promoted him from a two-way contract on Feb. 9.
Tears wouldn't come out of his eyes, he said, but that didn't take away from what Jackson described as a "joyful experience." Moments after he signed, he walked out and was mobbed by Ja Morant . The star point guard poured water on Jackson to celebrate the moment.
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"Overall one of the biggest blessings I've had in my life," Jackson said during shootaround before Monday's game against the New Orleans Pelicans . "(The water) was cold, but you know, chilling experience."
Jackson, a 19-year-old rookie, was drafted in the second round by the Grizzlies. Talent was never a question. He was the No. 1 overall recruit before reclassifying and playing one season at South Carolina.
Inconsistent scoring led to his fall in the draft, but Jackson was humble with his approach. He let NBA teams know that he was willing to play in the G League and start on a two-way contract.
Jackson, who got his chance after a slew of injuries hit the Grizzlies' roster, has been one of the team's breakout performers. He averaged 14.7 points per game in January, and is shooting 43.5% from the field and 37.9% on 3-pointers.
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That draft night bet is paying off for Memphis. So is his patience. After playing a total of 19 minutes with the Grizzlies through the end of last year, Jackson has totaled more than 400 minutes in the past month to earn his new deal.
"I kind of had a feeling with the way everything has been panning out, but I tried to keep the main thing with basketball," Jackson said on his new contract. "But nonetheless, I'm grateful."
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Jackson's contract was followed by a trip Feb. 10 to Charlotte, the NBA team closest to his hometown of Columbia, South Carolina. More than 20 friends and family members attended his first game against the Hornets.
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Jackson finished the game with 16 points off the bench on 7-for-14 shooting.
"It was a lot of folks," he said. "I couldn't even talk to all of them. Some of them act like they ain't seen me play before, but it was a good experience to have everybody come out."
Jackson wasn't able to follow up his Charlotte performance on Monday because of a team-issued one-game suspension for violating a team rule. Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said he expects Jackson to return on Wednesday against the Rockets at FedExForum.
Jackson recently admitted to being fined four times by the team before being issued the suspension. His goal has been to become a better professional as he adjusts to the NBA life as the youngest player in the league.
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People around the team don't believe that Jackson's fines and suspension will be long-term issues.
"He's fine," Jaren Jackson Jr. said after the Grizzlies lost 96-87 against the Pelicans on Monday. "I told him he's going to be one of the best players in the league, so act like it."
More eyes will be on GG Jackson and how he responds. On the floor, he has been a beacon of light for the Grizzlies in an otherwise dark season.
Jenkins believes his offense has "no limits." His defense is coming along, and the playmaking remains the main area the Grizzlies want to see improvement.
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With a new contract in hand, he'll have time to shore up his game.
"They have my full trust and loyalty," GG Jackson said. "I'm full Memphis Grizzlies until they say furthermore."
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: GG Jackson knows Memphis Grizzlies expect more with four-year deal
