Jaren Jackson Jr. has been named the 2022-23 Defensive Player of the Year in recognition of his spectacular shot-blocking season with the Memphis Grizzlies. This is the first of the NBA’s annual regular season awards, with more to follow in coming days.
Jackson was drafted fourth overall by the Grizzlies in the 2018 NBA Draft as an 18-year-old, showing a rare skill-set during his time at Michigan State. Standing at six-foot-ten with a seven-foot-five wingspan, Jackson was the only player in all of college basketball during his draft year to average at least three blocks per game and a made three-pointer per game.
Despite struggling with foul trouble early in his professional career and leading the league in fouls per game in each of his first two seasons, Jackson’s fourth season saw him return as a new player. He began to fulfil the potential he had promised on the defensive end, playing a career-high 78 regular season fixtures while leading the league in blocks per game (2.3) for the first time.
Entering this campaign as the reigning blocks king, Jackson took things a step further, posting a career-high 3.0 blocks per game while boasting one of the gaudiest block rates of all time. While Jackson was on the floor, he blocked 9.58 per cent of all opponent shots – the seventh-highest rate of all-time – and an even higher figure than Myles Turner’s 8.85 per cent when he averaged 3.4 blocks per game in the 2020-21 season.
Among full-time starters, no player in the NBA this season boasted a better individual defensive rating than Jackson’s 106.6, turning the Grizzlies into the league’s best defense during his minutes on the court. Meanwhile, during the 19 games Jackson has missed this season, the Grizzlies’ defensive rating of 114.8 would rank them 21st, between the Charlotte Hornets and the Washington Wizards.
Jackson’s incredible defensive skills have been a key factor in the Grizzlies’ success this season, as they have secured a place in the NBA playoffs. His ability to block shots and disrupt opposing teams’ offenses has been crucial in helping his team to win games.
While it does not go into consideration for his Defensive Player of the Year award, Jackson also had a career-best season on the offensive end, scoring a career-high 18.6 points per game while averaging career highs in field-goal makes (6.6), field-goal percentage (50.6) and free-throw makes (3.8).
Jackson is currently in the first year of a four-year, $105 million extension – which has turned into a bargain deal due to his rapid ascension into fringe All-NBA status. He has become one of the most exciting young talents in the NBA, and his future looks incredibly bright.
Also receiving votes for the Defensive Player of the Year award were Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez, Cleveland Cavaliers second-year star Evan Mobley, and Golden State Warriors future Hall-of-Famer Draymond Green. However, it was Jackson’s incredible shot-blocking skills and defensive prowess that saw him come out on top and secure the award.
In conclusion, Jaren Jackson Jr.’s incredible shot-blocking season with the Memphis Grizzlies has earned him the 2022-23 Defensive Player of the Year award. His ability to disrupt opposing teams’ offenses and his incredible defensive rating have been key factors in helping the Grizzlies to secure a place in the NBA playoffs. Jackson’s future looks incredibly bright, and he is sure to continue to be one of the most exciting young talents in the NBA.
