Since the NBA All-Star break, former South Carolina forward GG Jackson has been off to a strong start in the back half of his third season in the league.
In 12 games since the All-Star break, Jackson has scored in double figures in each, including scoring 20 or more points in five games. His best performance came against the Miami Heat when he scored 28 points on 11-of-17 shooting from the floor while he nearly logged a double-double with nine rebounds.
Jackson recorded a double-double against the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 3 with 12 points and 11 rebounds. His 20-plus point performances have come against the Utah Jazz (20), Miami Heat (28), Golden State Warriors (24), Portland Trail Blazers (20) and Dallas Mavericks (20).
On Thursday evening against the Mavericks, Jackson scored his 20 points on 8-of-15 shooting from the field while he also tallied four rebounds and three assists in 31 minutes of play.
Since the return to action following the break, Jackson is averaging 17.5 points per game while shooting 52 percent from the floor. He's also averaging 6.0 rebounds per game.
Jackson and the Grizzlies return to action on Friday evening as they travel to Detroit to take on the Pistons. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
In his third year in the NBA, Jackson is averaging 11.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. In his three seasons in the league, Jackson is averaging 11.6 points and 3.79 rebounds per game. Jackson is turning in his best season statistically since his rookie campaign in 2023-24 with the Grizzlies.
In his one season with the Gamecocks, Jackson averaged 15.4 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. In 25 games, Jackson scored in double figures. For his performance in the 2022-23 season, Jackson earned a spot on the SEC All-Freshman Team. The Grizzlies selected Jackson in the second round with the No. 45 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.
Stay tuned to TheBigSpur for more coverage of South Carolina Gamecocks men's basketball