South Carolina basketball fans have gotten to watch one of their own burst onto the scene in the past few days.
On Monday, he was even better.
Playing against Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors, Jackson was the best offensive player on the floor in Memphis. The former Gamecock scored a new career-high by dropping 23 points on the Warriors while taking just 9 shots from the field. He went 6-9 (5-8), pulled down 6 rebounds, blocked 2 shots, stole the ball 2 times, and added an assist. For the second night in a row, he led the Grizzlies in +/-.
Trailing only LeBron James (2003-2004), Jackson is the 2nd youngest player ever to put up back-to-back 20-point performances. He is the youngest player in the NBA right now, but he is forcing the Memphis Grizzlies to put him on the court anyway.
Below are some highlights from his night.
Being just 19 years old, Jackson is flashing the potential that had NBA scouts drooling over him while he was part of the South Carolina basketball program. There are not many players in the world who are 6'9", are plus-athletes, can really shoot the ball from outside, and have the type of instincts Jackson has as a shot blocker.
Jackson also had an incredibly wholesome moment after the game when he had the chance to speak with TNT's Shaquille O'Neal, Charles Barkley, Candace Parker, and Ernie Johnson during the broadcast's Walk-Off Interview.
Things weren't perfect for GG Jackson and his South Carolina basketball team, but it appears as if the experience turned into a great learning opportunity for one of the highest-upside rookies in the NBA, an opportunity he has taken full advantage of in recent days.