GG Jackson Bio
Gregory “GG” Jackson II is an American professional basketball player for the Memphis Grizzlies of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the South Carolina Gamecocks and has already established himself as one of the most promising young forwards in the league. Jackson gained national attention as a highly ranked high school recruit before spending a single season at South Carolina and entering the 2023 NBA draft. He earned a place on the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2024 after a debut season that produced several league milestones.
Early Life and Background
Gregory “GG” Jackson II was born on December 17, 2004, in Columbia, South Carolina. He grew up in the same city and attended Ridge View High School, where he quickly developed into one of the top high school prospects in the country. Standing at 6 feet 9 inches and playing primarily as a power forward, Jackson combined size with skill from an early age.
As a sophomore, Jackson averaged 15.8 points and 10 rebounds while helping Ridge View capture the South Carolina Class 5A State Championship. He followed that performance with an even stronger junior campaign, posting 22.1 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game and leading the Blazers to a second consecutive state title. His play during that season earned him the South Carolina Basketball Gatorade Player of the Year award and cemented his status as a five-star recruit.
Path to Basketball
Jackson was rated a five-star recruit and was regarded as the consensus best collegiate prospect for the 2023 recruiting class. He initially committed to play college basketball at North Carolina shortly after the conclusion of his junior season after considering offers from Auburn, Duke, Georgetown, and South Carolina. He later decommitted from the Tar Heels, becoming the first player to do so since J. R. Smith in 2003.
Jackson reclassified to the class of 2022 and ultimately enrolled at the University of South Carolina, where his commitment marked the highest-ranked recruit in program history. Before his college career began, he also represented the United States on the under-18 national team at the 2022 FIBA Under-18 Americas Championship, gaining valuable experience against international competition.
GG Jackson Career
Early Career (2022–2023)
Jackson entered his freshman season at South Carolina as the Gamecocks’ starting power forward. He was named the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week for the first week of the season after averaging 15 points and nine rebounds across his first two career games. He was briefly benched after an 0-for-8 shooting performance in a loss to Tennessee, but he responded with 16 points off the bench in a 71–68 win over Kentucky.
He finished the season as the Gamecocks’ leading scorer with 15.4 points per game, an impressive output for a one-and-done freshman. Following the end of the college season, Jackson declared for the 2023 NBA draft, ending his amateur career after a single year in Columbia.
Memphis Grizzlies Era (2023–Present)
Jackson was selected by the Memphis Grizzlies with the 45th overall pick in the second round of the 2023 NBA draft, then joined the team for the 2023 NBA Summer League. On August 31, 2023, he signed a two-way contract with the Grizzlies, splitting time between the NBA roster and the team’s G League affiliate, the Memphis Hustle.
Extensive injuries to the Grizzlies roster during the 2023–24 season opened a path to the NBA for Jackson. On February 8, 2024, he scored a then-career-high 27 points in a 118–110 loss to the Chicago Bulls, which led Memphis to convert his deal into a four-year contract the following day. On March 10, 2024, Jackson made his first NBA start against the Oklahoma City Thunder and scored 30 points in a 124–93 defeat. He continued his strong late-season play on March 20, when he scored 35 points with seven three-pointers in a 137–116 loss to the Golden State Warriors, becoming the youngest player in NBA history to make seven threes in a single game.
Jackson closed his rookie year with an even bigger performance. In the regular season finale on April 14, 2024, he scored 44 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in a 111–126 loss to the Denver Nuggets. That outing made him the youngest player in NBA history to record at least 40 points and 10 rebounds in a game, and his 44-point total set the record for the most points scored by a rookie in Grizzlies franchise history. His efforts earned him a spot on the 2024 NBA All-Rookie Second Team.
Driving Style and Strengths
Jackson stands 6 feet 9 inches tall and weighs approximately 210 pounds, giving him a strong frame for the power forward position. He combines interior scoring with reliable three-point shooting, a rare skill set for a player his size. His ability to stretch the floor, finish at the rim, and rebound on both ends has translated into immediate offensive production at the NBA level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Jackson’s 2023–24 rookie season produced several league-wide records. He became the youngest player in NBA history to make seven three-pointers in a single game and the youngest to record 40 points and 10 rebounds in a contest. His 44-point outburst against Denver also set a new Memphis Grizzlies record for most points by a rookie in a game.
GG Jackson Career Wins
Jackson is still early in his professional career, but he has already collected significant individual recognition. He earned SEC All-Freshman Team honors in 2022 and a spot on the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2024. His high school résumé includes two South Carolina Class 5A State Championships with Ridge View, the South Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year award, and selection to the United States under-18 national team.
GG Jackson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Jackson grew up in Columbia, South Carolina, where he developed his game at Ridge View High School. Detailed information about his immediate family is not publicly confirmed in available sources.
Personal Life
Jackson is known by the nickname “GG” and is active on social media under the handle @_ggjackson on X and @gregupnxt on Instagram. Further public details about his personal life have not been confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
Jackson’s 2024–25 NBA season was delayed after he suffered a broken right foot on August 27, 2024. He underwent surgery on September 4, 2024, an injury that pushed back his return by at least three months and forced him to miss the start of the Grizzlies’ campaign. Once healthy, he was expected to resume a featured role in Memphis’s frontcourt rotation and build on the strong finish to his rookie year.
The Grizzlies, meanwhile, continued to manage a roster reshaped by injuries and a need to develop young talent. Jackson’s perimeter shooting and scoring punch gave Memphis another building block as the team evaluated its long-term core. His recovery progress was closely watched by the organization given his record-setting rookie production and his four-year contract signed in February 2024.
Looking ahead, Jackson is positioned as a central piece of Memphis’s youth movement. If he can return to full health and build on his rookie milestones, the 2025 calendar year offers him a chance to further establish himself as a long-term starter in the NBA.