GG Jackson Bio
Gregory “GG” Jackson II is an American professional basketball player for the Memphis Grizzlies of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born on December 17, 2004, in Columbia, South Carolina, Jackson rose to national attention as one of the most decorated young prospects in recent memory before beginning his professional career with the Grizzlies in 2023.
A versatile frontcourt talent listed at 6 feet 9 inches and 210 pounds, Jackson plays both small forward and power forward. After a single collegiate season with the South Carolina Gamecocks, he was selected 45th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft and quickly established himself as a record-setting rookie, earning a place on the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2024.
Early Life and Background
Jackson grew up in Columbia, South Carolina, and attended Ridge View High School, where he developed into one of the most dominant young players in the state. As a sophomore, he averaged 15.8 points and 10 rebounds per game, helping the Blazers capture the South Carolina Class 5A State Championship.
During his junior year, Jackson elevated his production to 22.1 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game, leading Ridge View to a second consecutive state title. His outstanding play earned him the South Carolina Basketball Gatorade Player of the Year award and a consensus five-star ranking, making him the most highly sought-after recruit in the 2023 class.
Path to Basketball
Jackson’s path to college basketball was carefully watched by recruiters across the country. He initially committed to play at North Carolina shortly after his junior season, weighing offers from Auburn, Duke, Georgetown, and South Carolina. His later decision to decommit from the Tar Heels marked the first time a player had reopened his recruitment from UNC since J. R. Smith in 2003.
Rather than wait another year, Jackson reclassified to the class of 2022 and enrolled at South Carolina, becoming the highest-ranked recruit in Gamecocks history. He also represented the United States at the 2022 FIBA Under-18 Americas Championship in Mexico, gaining valuable international experience before his freshman season.
GG Jackson Career
Early Career (2022–2023)
Jackson opened his freshman season at South Carolina as the team’s starting power forward and wasted little time showing his ability, earning SEC Freshman of the Week honors after averaging 15 points and 9 rebounds in his first two games. He soon faced adversity, however, being benched after a scoreless performance against Tennessee.
Jackson responded by scoring 16 points off the bench in a win over Kentucky, and he finished the year as the Gamecocks’ leading scorer at 15.4 points per game. He was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team before declaring for the 2023 NBA Draft.
Memphis Grizzlies Rookie Season (2023–2024)
Jackson was selected by the Memphis Grizzlies with the 45th overall pick in the second round of the 2023 NBA Draft, signing a two-way contract on August 31, 2023, that split his time between the Grizzlies and their NBA G League affiliate, the Memphis Hustle. An injury-depleted Grizzlies roster gave him an early opportunity in the NBA.
On February 8, 2024, Jackson scored 27 points against the Chicago Bulls, prompting the Grizzlies to sign him to a four-year contract the next day. He made his first start on March 10, 2024, against the Oklahoma City Thunder, finishing with 30 points, and then scored 35 points with seven three-pointers against the Golden State Warriors on March 20, becoming the youngest player in NBA history to make seven threes in a game.
In the regular season finale on April 14, 2024, Jackson erupted for 44 points and 12 rebounds against the Denver Nuggets, setting the Grizzlies’ rookie scoring record and becoming the youngest player in NBA history to record 40 points and 10 rebounds in a single game. His play earned him a spot on the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.
Memphis Grizzlies Era (2023–Present)
Jackson’s early professional trajectory was disrupted on August 27, 2024, when he suffered a broken right foot and underwent surgery on September 4, 2024. The procedure was expected to delay the start of his second NBA season by at least three months.
Despite the setback, Jackson remains under contract with the Grizzlies through his rookie extension and continues to be viewed as a long-term building block for the franchise. He is expected to play a larger on-court role once healthy.
Driving Style and Strengths
Jackson combines the size of a power forward with the perimeter skill set of a small forward, allowing him to stretch defenses from beyond the arc and finish inside. His combination of scoring versatility and rebounding has been on full display during his rookie season, particularly in high-volume three-point performances and double-doubles.
Notable Events and Milestones
Jackson’s 2023–24 campaign included three historic marks: the youngest player in NBA history to make seven three-pointers in a game, the youngest to record 40 points and 10 rebounds in a contest, and the Grizzlies’ all-time rookie single-game scoring record with 44 points.
GG Jackson Career Wins
Although individual game victories are not always tracked in traditional summary form for young players, Jackson has already collected a series of signature scoring performances and team results across the NBA, G League, and international stages.
NBA Highlights
Jackson’s rookie year with the Memphis Grizzlies produced several milestone performances, including 27, 30, 35, and a franchise-rookie-record 44 points. He also earned NBA All-Rookie Second Team honors in 2024.
Other Wins and Performances
At the high school level, Jackson led Ridge View to back-to-back South Carolina Class 5A State Championships, and he represented the United States at the 2022 FIBA Under-18 Americas Championship in Mexico.
GG Jackson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Jackson’s parents and immediate family background is limited, and details beyond his Columbia, South Carolina upbringing are not widely confirmed.
Personal Life
Jackson is not publicly known to be married and does not have publicly reported children. He continues to reside in the United States while pursuing his NBA career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024–25 NBA season was expected to mark Jackson’s first full sophomore campaign with the Grizzlies, but a broken right foot suffered in August 2024 and subsequent surgery delayed his return by at least three months. His early-season availability was therefore limited as he completed rehabilitation.
Once cleared to play, Jackson is expected to resume a scoring-focused role off the bench, with opportunities to grow within the Grizzlies’ rotation as he continues to recover his form.
Looking ahead through the rest of 2025, Jackson’s primary objectives are returning to full health, building consistency in his minutes, and continuing to develop the perimeter skills that defined his record-setting rookie year.
