Jaren Jackson Jr. (JJJ), is an American professional basketball player for the Memphis Grizzlies. Drafted fourth overall in 2018, he played college basketball for Michigan State. In 2023, Jackson earned his first NBA All-Star selection and won the Defensive Player of the Year award. Known as "the Block Panther", he is celebrated for his outstanding defensive abilities and rim protection, having led the NBA in blocks per game for two straight seasons.
September 15, 1999: Jaren Jackson Jr. Born
On September 15, 1999, Jaren Walter Jackson Jr. was born. He is an American professional basketball player.
Share
September 15, 2016: Commitment to Michigan State
On September 15, 2016, Jaren Jackson Jr. announced his commitment to play basketball at Michigan State University under coach Tom Izzo.
Share
November 9, 2016: Signed Letter of Intent
On November 9, 2016, Jaren Jackson Jr. officially signed his letter of intent to play basketball for Michigan State University.
Share
March 29, 2017: McDonald's All-American Game
On March 29, 2017, Jaren Jackson Jr. participated in the McDonald's All-American Game, showcasing his talent among the nation's top high school players.
Share
November 10, 2017: Collegiate Debut
On November 10, 2017, Jaren Jackson Jr. made his college debut for Michigan State, recording 13 points and a season-high 13 rebounds in a 98-66 win over North Florida.
Share
2017: Top prospect in the 2017 graduating class
In 2017, Jaren Jackson Jr. was highly appraised as one of the top players in the graduating class, earning high rankings from Scout.com, 247Sports, and ESPN.
Share
June 21, 2018: Drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies
On June 21, 2018, Jaren Jackson Jr. was drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies as the fourth overall pick in the NBA draft, marking the start of his professional career.
Share
July 1, 2018: Signed with the Grizzlies
On July 1, 2018, Jaren Jackson Jr. signed a multi-year, rookie-scale contract with the Memphis Grizzlies, officially joining the team.
Share
2018: Drafted by Memphis Grizzlies
In 2018, Jaren Jackson Jr. was selected by the Memphis Grizzlies with the fourth overall pick of the NBA draft, marking a significant milestone in his career.
Share
December 13, 2019: Career-High 43 Points
On December 13, 2019, Jaren Jackson Jr. scored a career-high 43 points, including 9 three-pointers, in a game against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Share
January 30, 2020: Suspended for One Game
On January 30, 2020, Jaren Jackson Jr. was suspended for one game without pay for leaving the bench during an altercation between the Grizzlies and the New York Knicks.
Share
August 4, 2020: Torn Meniscus Injury
On August 4, 2020, Jaren Jackson Jr. suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans, causing him to miss the remainder of the season.
Share
December 16, 2020: Team Option Exercised
On December 16, 2020, the Grizzlies announced that they had exercised the team option on Jaren Jackson Jr., securing his place on the team.
Share
April 21, 2021: Return After Injury
On April 21, 2021, Jaren Jackson Jr. made his return after recovering from injury, contributing 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 blocks in a game against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Share
October 18, 2021: Signed Extension with the Grizzlies
On October 18, 2021, Jaren Jackson Jr. signed a four-year, $105 million extension with the Grizzlies, marking a significant commitment between him and the team.
Share
January 9, 2022: Career-High Rebounds
On January 9, 2022, Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 21 points and tied a career-high with 12 rebounds in a 127-119 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Share
June 30, 2022: Surgery to Repair Foot Fracture
On June 30, 2022, Jaren Jackson Jr. underwent surgery to repair a stress fracture in his right foot, causing him to be sidelined for several months.
Share
January 5, 2023: Season-High Points
On January 5, 2023, Jaren Jackson Jr. achieved a season-high of 31 points, along with ten rebounds and three blocks, in a victory against the Orlando Magic.
Share
2023: FIBA Basketball World Cup
In 2023, Jaren Jackson Jr. participated in the FIBA Basketball World Cup as a member of the United States national team, which finished fourth in the tournament.
Share
2023: NBA All-Star and Defensive Player of the Year
In 2023, Jaren Jackson Jr. was named to his first NBA All-Star team and won the Defensive Player of the Year award, showcasing his talent and defensive prowess.
Share