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Memphis Grizzlies

MEMPHIS – After scoring a career-high 44 points in the final game on the schedule to cap a late-season push for NBA All-Rookie team consideration, the last thing Grizzlies forward GG Jackson wanted was for the season to end.

The gregarious 19-year-old, who is the league’s youngest player, was having too much fun and success grinding through a rapid stretch of development.

“This has definitely opened up a new chapter,” Jackson insists as he eagerly eyes an offseason of increased opportunities. “And we’ve got to begin, you know, the next story. Now is where the real work begins because the stars are coming back. So, I’ve got to find exactly where do I fit? I believe I can fit for sure.”

That belief in Jackson permeates the franchise.

As the Grizzlies take inventory of a season that began with superstar Ja Morant’s 25-game NBA suspension and ended with a historic rash of injuries, they can also take solace in what was gained from a 27-55 campaign.

Atop that short list was the emergence of the Grizzlies’ last two second-round picks into first-rate rotation options as the team regroups for the 2024-25 season.

Second-year swingman Vince Williams Jr. parlayed his extended opportunities into a solidified role as Memphis’ breakout young prospect in the first half of the season. Then it was Jackson’s rapid ascension as a rookie down the stretch that allowed him to become one of the best developmental stories in the NBA.

By the time Jackson put the finishing touches on a 44-point outburst against the defending champion Denver Nuggets on April 14, the 6-foot-9 versatile forward ended the season as the NBA’s fourth-leading rookie scorer.

Not bad for a prospect whose jersey number reflects the slot where he was selected as the No. 45 pick in the second round of the 2023 NBA Draft. But Jackson used his first year in the league as a canvas to recreate the narrative around his fledgling NBA journey.

That ride started with Jackson’s rise as the nation’s top-rated prep prospects two years go. His reputation was then marred by a less-than-stellar freshman season at South Carolina, where his maturity and work ethic were questioned amid a steep slide on the draft board.

When the Grizzlies picked Jackson at No. 45, team president Zach Kleiman quickly cautioned that although supremely gifted, Jackson faced work ahead to mature on and off the court. Kleiman also insisted the Grizzlies would “give him the structure to do that.”

Having quickly progressed from a two-way G League deal to a four-year NBA contract, Jackson reflected at last week’s season exit interviews on his draft night vow to Kleiman.

“I still remember that phone call, when I was like, ‘I promise you, I’m not going to let you down; you did not make a mistake on this pick,’” Jackson recounted with gratitude following an encouraging rookie season. “Luckily, God moved me, and I showed it out on the court.”

Jackson is now ready to move into the next phases of improvement and impact.

In late May, he’ll be among a group of roster players who will return from a monthlong break to start voluntary offseason conditioning workouts. Those sessions will ramp up further in June as the Grizzlies embark on the NBA Draft, where they’re currently positioned to have a top-10 lottery pick as well as options in the second round.

From there, coach Taylor Jenkins confirmed, Jackson will help anchor the Grizzlies’ summer league team scheduled in July to compete in Salt Lake City and Las Vegas.

There were some questions as to whether Jackson’s extensive playing time late in the season against top NBA competition would negate his need for summer league. The Salt Lake City and Las Vegas leagues both feature games with mainly incoming rookie draft picks and undrafted free-agent prospects vying to make NBA rosters.

But Jenkins sees specific areas where Jackson can continue to expand his game well beyond what he displayed this season. Since moving up from the G League’s Memphis Hustle on Jan. 12, Jackson has played in 48 NBA games, including 18 starts.

Over his final 17 contests, Jackson averaged 19 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 33.2 minutes. Those 44 points against Denver in the season finale were the second-most points ever scored by a teenager in an NBA game.

And that was just the latest of many age-defying performances in which Jackson joined the likes of Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Kevin Durant to set NBA benchmarks for youth. Jenkins has challenged Jackson to work this summer on his shooting accuracy from various locations, his defensive technique and his vision and execution as a facilitator.

The notion is that Jackson will work more next season in a supporting role, likely off the bench, in a rotation anchored by a healthy Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane and Marcus Smart among others. Another offseason goal is for GG Jackson to beef up his 215-pound frame by adding seven-to-10 pounds of muscle definition.&nbsp;

“It's going to be a great opportunity for him, just continuing to expand his game,” Jenkins said. “Obviously, he's showcased so much this season. I mean, the kid's got so much potential but we want to see that potential realized. And the work doesn't stop. It's not just saying it, it's doing it. I think he's fired up about it.”

When Jackson was reminded during his press conference that he was expected to play in summer league, he immediately pumped his fist and smiled as if he just made a big shot.

He simply can’t wait to get started again.&nbsp;

Or, perhaps, just continue doing what he’s been doing. There’s no offseason for Jackson.

When you’re learning, growing and developing as fast as he is, it’s just on to the next task.

Relatively soon, he’ll be back in the gym again working out with trainers and assistant coaches such as Anthony Carter, considered in NBA circles as one of the league’s top player development gurus.

“When we start open runs and workouts, Coach A.C. already told me, ‘It’s going to be hard, but don’t look at it like punishment – you’re going to be guarding the best,’” Jackson said of his exit meeting with the coaching staff. “He wants to put me on Ja . . . and I’m definitely going to give Des a run for his money, for sure. It’s all about getting each other better.”

Jackson then let out a sheepish laugh, thinking of the possibilities and intensity awaiting. 

He’s still a teenager unafraid to let out his inner-child. It’s who he is – a big kid enjoying a game he’d play year-round for free, except he’s talented enough to rise to the highest level of the sport.

“Looking ahead to next year, GG’s opportunity will be whatever he’s ready for,” Kleiman assured yet again while balancing patience and the endless possibilities for Jackson’s continued growth. “We’re certainly going to continue to push GG and challenge him. We all see what he's capable of doing. How that role continues to grow . . . that'll play itself out.”

For now, Jackson impatiently awaits his next chance to keep playing.

The schedule reveals his rookie season has officially ended.

But the seasoning of his development is a process that never ceases.&nbsp;

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MikeCheck: Grizzlies breakout rook GG Jackson eager for next phase of NBA development

MEMPHIS – Season-ending exit interviews for the Grizzlies typically provide some level of direction or clarity with where the franchise is headed entering the offseason.

In one big case, there seems to be more questions than answers.

That’s especially the case with the player at the center of the discussion. Jaren Jackson Jr.’s response earlier this week emphasized that notion.

The 6-foot-11, 250-pound versatile veteran was asked if he were ready to shift permanently to the middle at this stage of his career or whether the Grizzlies should acquire a more traditional center this offseason.

“Define traditional,” Jackson shot back. “That (term) doesn’t really mean anything at this point. Anybody who’s going to come in and produce the whole equation . . . Whatever is going to work with our group at that time (and) sync us a little more together is what's going to be the key here. Traditional, nontraditional, that means less and less every year.”

There, however, is little doubt about one thing as the Grizzlies venture into their offseason improvement plans. From the front office through the coaching staff and to the longest-tenured player on the Grizzlies, adding size and depth to the power rotation is a top priority.

The Grizzlies enter the offseason positioned to have a top-10 pick entering the May 12 NBA Draft Lottery to determine the order for June’s NBA Draft. The team has also been aggressive on the trade market in recent seasons around the draft, and that could be the case again this summer. In addition, the Grizzlies also have financial flexibility to acquire help when the NBA free-agency period opens in July.

Grizzlies president and general manager Zach Kleiman confirmed during Monday’s exit interviews that the team’s collection of draft capital, assets and resources will be used to bolster the team’s frontcourt depth.

Kleiman, however, was non-committal on whether that path forward with the power rotation would feature Jackson returning primarily to power forward or anchoring at center.

“I think it would be probably our best position if Jaren is playing (center),” Kleiman said of the long-term matchups Jackson could create in a playoff scenario moving forward. “When we look ahead, trying to get through several rounds of the playoffs against some teams, Jaren’s going to have to be the (center).”

Kleiman then considered the alternative, particularly the physical demands of the position and how the franchise can also benefit from having a bigger body share in the workload.

“That being said, from a roster-building standpoint, we see the value of having a more traditional – whatever you call it – big (guy),” Kleiman continued. “We’ve seen Jaren successful with those type of lineups as well. Our hope was that those (center) reps could be meaningful as we’re thinking about the context Jaren is going to have to be successful in for us to be the best team we can be in the playoffs.”

The Grizzlies missed the NBA postseason for the first time in four seasons, largely due to the extended injury absences of Ja Morant, Marcus Smart, Desmond Bane and several others. With Jackson as the lone frontline starter and star player available most of the season, Memphis used the past four months to evaluate Jackson in various on-court roles. &nbsp; &nbsp;

After spending his first five NBA seasons exclusively at power forward, Jackson logged most of this past season at center to help the Grizzlies fill voids inside created by attrition. The Grizzlies traded veteran starter Steven Adams and reserves Xavier Tillman and David Roddy in February, and finished the season with Jackson literally taking on a larger role.

Although Jackson responded with some of the best production of his career offensively, the Grizzlies emerged from an injury-riddled, 27-55 season targeting more frontcourt bulk. In addition to playing both power forward and center throughout the season, Jackson also spent considerable time running the offense as a primary facilitator.

That comprehensive role led to Jackson averaging career highs in scoring (22.5), field-goal attempts (17.6), free-throw attempts and makes (5.1-6.3), assists (2.3) and steals (1.2). While Jackson considers himself “position-less,” the Grizzlies want to load up around him.

Power forward Brandon Clarke, who returned last month after a year-long rehab from Achilles surgery, is the only other power player on the roster whose contract extends beyond the upcoming 2024-25 season.

“So, we’re taking a lot of things into consideration going into the summer,” Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said. “You definitely need to complement everyone’s strengths out there and account for things that maybe someone needs from a big spot.”

Injuries contributed to most of the Grizzlies struggles this season. But some of the areas where the team saw the biggest drop-off from previous success were in the paint. In each of the three previous seasons, Memphis ranked among the NBA’s top teams in rebounding, offensive rebounding, second-chance scoring and points in the paint.

That dominant part of their game was aided by the presence of traditional centers alongside Jackson such as Adams and, before that, Jonas Valanciunas. This season, the Grizzlies were last among the NBA’s 30 teams in points in the paint and 24th in rebounding.

“Obviously, not having (Adams) really, really hurt us,” Clarke said. “I like seeing Jaren out there at (power forward) more, with another big man, and then me coming off the bench. That was kind of how it was the past four years. But we just really got to get healthy first. And we're going to get a good pick in the draft. So, I trust the front office with what they choose. But sounds like we need somebody big and somebody strong down there for us.”

Regardless how the team addresses the power rotation this offseason, Jackson vows to keep maximizing his versatility and flexibility. Over the past year, he took on the challenge of manning the position at center, a role that started during last summer’s stint with Team USA in the FIBA World Cup tournament.

After playing exclusively at center for the national team, shifting to that spot was relatively seamless during this NBA season. It’s all part of the experiment of expanding one’s game.

So, even when frontcourt help arrives this offseason, it’s not likely the Grizzlies will have Jackson boxed in at any particular spot.

“I definitely throw out the (position) numbers, and it depends on the game for me,” Jackson said of embracing his role. “There’s versatility. There’s bringing the ball up and running a play. There are just differences. I don’t think the game will ever go back to (traditional). So, whoever wants to contribute and wants to be here, that’s going to be the key.”

And that key to landing another post presence should unlock another level of potential around Jackson as the Grizzlies chart their way back into playoff contention next season.

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MikeCheck: Position-less Jackson not boxed in as Grizzlies seek to bolster power rotation

MEMPHIS – After enduring one of the most injury-riddled seasons in franchise history, the Grizzlies anticipate moving forward with a relatively clean bill of health.

“Fingers crossed, I think we’ll be able to have a good start to our summer with majority of the roster from a health standpoint,” Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said. “Hopefully, that’ll lead to great work. And come the start of training camp in October, we’re fully healthy, which is something we missed this year.”

Jenkins’ comments came Monday as the Grizzlies conducted exit interviews and charted next steps as the team heads into the offseason much earlier than in recent years.

The Grizzlies (27-55) fell outside of the NBA postseason for the first time in four years after faltering through one of the most painful – literally and figuratively – seasons in NBA history.&nbsp;

Memphis opened the season with superstar point guard Ja Morant serving a league suspension for the first 25 games. And it closed the season with Morant limited to just nine games and undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery.

Among the positive developments that came out of Monday’s final team media session of the season was the revelation that Morant is progressing on schedule from the January surgery and is expected to resume basketball-related activities in about two months.

“It’s just attacking my rehab at a high level,” Morant said Monday in his first public comments since the first week of January. “Early on, it was tough. This was the first time with me having an injury that really sat me out for a season. That process was really hard. But as far as how I am mentally, that’s been motivating.”

Morant confirmed he plans to remain in Memphis most of the offseason as he continues to progress through rehab in anticipation of full clearance to resume basketball activities. Beyond Morant, the Grizzlies are confident that several other key players who finished the season on the injured list will be recovered and available for summer offseason workouts.

That list includes veteran starters and key rotation contributors such as Marcus Smart (finger), Desmond Bane (back), Derrick Rose (groin/back), Santi Aldama (foot), Ziaire Williams (back/hip) and Vince Williams Jr. (knee).

The Grizzlies finished the final games of the regular season with 13 players sitting out and on the injury report, although some were held out for maintenance and general recovery. The front office, coaching staff and players are eager to put behind them a season in which they established modern NBA records for attrition caused by wide-spread injuries.

The Grizzlies finished the season having used 33 players and 51 different starting lineups while enduring a combined 592 games lost to various player injuries along the way. Those absences never allowed the Grizzlies to gain any traction this season after they started 6-19 through the first 25 games Morant missed while serving the NBA-mandated suspension.

The goal now is to distance themselves from the injury bug and regroup for next season with a healthy core, a lottery pick entering June’s NBA Draft and the flexibility to address roster needs through trades and free agency.

The Grizzlies were coming off consecutive 50-win seasons and back-to-back, second-place finishes in the Western Conference standings as one of the NBA’s youngest teams. They are optimistic that Morant’s return to health, and the chance to build even more chemistry with Bane, Jackson, Smart and emerging talents in Williams Jr. and rookie GG Jackson will reestablish Memphis among the conference’s top contenders.

“We’ve been with each other for a while now, and we know what we can do when we’re all out there, so we have a lot of confidence in that,” said star big man Jaren Jackson Jr., who played 66 games as the lone veteran to suit up most of the season. “But we also have to take our games to a new level to win in the postseason as a unit.”

Jackson said conversations have already been had about maximizing the summer.

“I’m looking forward to a summer of work when I’m around them,” Jackson said of training with key players who missed significant time. “We’re always getting on each other and pushing each other. No one misses a day of (offseason) work around here. And if anyone even thinks of missing a day, everyone gets on each other about it. That’s what you need.”

The Grizzlies were only able to get a glimpse of their potential when Morant was available this season. Memphis went 6-3 in the games Morant played, including two thrilling road victories over the New Orleans Pelicans. One featured Morant’s winning shot at the buzzer.

A two-time All-Star and potential league MVP candidate, Morant said he tried to provide leadership and support throughout the season from the bench. But he also admitted nothing could replace what he can do for the team when he’s on the court and healthy.

Morant also acknowledged how much having a battle-tested veteran like Rose on the roster has helped steer him through the injury adversity.

“He’s pretty much a big brother . . . his locker is right beside me,” Morant said of Rose, a former MVP who had fought through multiple knee surgeries and injuries to last 15 years in the NBA. “He’s been big-time help for me. As I said, I never had an injury that sat me out for a season, and he’s had a couple. So being able to have him there and help me out, guide me through this process, was big-time.”

Grizzlies’ president and general manager Zach Kleiman has been encouraged with the approach Morant is taking at this stage of his recovery.

“Ja’s right on schedule – right on track, hitting everything he’s supposed to on that,” Kleiman said Monday. “He’s been very diligent with his work, and he’s been around the team, pouring in every day. He’s expected to be fully, fully cleared and have basketball reps well ahead of training camp. So, Ja’s in a great spot.”

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MikeCheck: With injury-riddled season behind, Grizzlies poised for healthy offseason reset

MEMPHIS – As the Grizzlies pace through the final week of the NBA regular season, two of their developmental prospects are just starting to hit their stride.

That bodes well for what an offseason of continued progress could mean for point guard Scotty Pippen Jr. and center Trey Jemison as they approach the Grizzlies’ remaining games.

For the past three months, Pippen and Jemison have parlayed their respective two-way developmental contracts into extended auditions for the Grizzlies at positions of dire need. Significant injuries and attrition at point guard and center have left Memphis scrambling to fill the gaping holes at both spots for much of the season.

But as the Grizzlies (27-51) limp to the finish line of a difficult season, they’ll carry plenty of production to evaluate into the summer in charting next steps for several young prospects.

Pippen enters the week coming off a career-best performance when he scored a team-high 24 points, including 14 in the third quarter of Saturday’s home loss to the 76ers. The previous night, Jemison led the way with his first career double-double as he recorded 17 points and a career-high 13 rebounds during a home win against the Pistons

Some may see this week’s games against the Spurs (Tuesday), Cavaliers (Wednesday), Lakers (Friday) and Nuggets (Sunday) as the final remnants of a season many want to soon forget. But count Pippen and Jemison among those who view the slate as one last stretch of opportunities to extend their productive momentum heading into the summer.

“I’m used to doing this kind of stuff, so it’s not really shocking to me,” Pippen said of his emergence and mindset entering the final games. “For me, it’s just continuing to be vocal, make sure I’m being a coach on the floor and push my guys. Just continue to develop, show what I can on both sides of the floor and try to win some games. I think that will show a lot.”

With his physical presence and consistent effort inside, Jemison is also showing plenty.

“I just go out there and play hard, try to let the game come to me,” Jemison shared. “It’s 100-percent confidence, man. We just keep coming. I work my butt off. I go to sleep every night and wake up knowing, ‘Hey, whenever Coach calls my name, I’m ready to go, man.”

Pippen and Jemison are the latest examples of the encouraging success the Grizzlies have squeezed out of their developmental pipeline this season. Injuries, of course, have derailed the bigger-picture goals the franchise had of competing for a championship this season.

But amid the ashes of an overall disappointing campaign are some embers that could spark the back end of the Grizzlies rotation with the return of a healthy roster next season.

Pippen went undrafted out of Vanderbilt two years ago and spent last season primarily with the Los Angeles Lakers affiliate in the NBA G League. The 6-foot-1 playmaker, and son of NBA Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen, played just six NBA games last season with the Lakers.

But Pippen considers this his rookie season in the league after playing in 17 games with the Grizzlies since he was signed to a two-year, two-way deal in January. He was brought in when the Grizzlies were critically short at point guard, where superstar catalyst Ja Morant was lost to season-ending shoulder surgery while both Derrick Rose and Marcus Smart missed significant time with injuries.

Along the way, Pippen missed several games with back and leg injuries but bounced back to average 11.5 points, 4.4 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 23 minutes a game. His best attributes have been his perimeter defense and shooting, where he has knocked down 50-percent from the field overall and 47.2-percent on 3-pointers.

The past eight games have been Pippen’s strongest stretch of the season. And in just the last two contests, he’s averaged 20 points, six assists and three steals while shooting 50-percent from beyond the arc in nearly 30 minutes per game.

In all likelihood, Pippen will enter the team’s offseason development program as the primary point guard on the Grizzlies summer league teams in July. Should he remain on the current two-way deal entering next season, Pippen could potentially compete in training camp for backup minutes behind Morant and, theoretically, alongside Rose.

“It’s good to see him get the performances he’s had lately,” Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said as he pointed out what stands out most in Pippen. “Well, No. 1 is his competitiveness. It’s what makes it easy for me to fall in love with a guy. I love that he’s been growing his playmaking ability. The tenacity he plays with on the defensive side, sticking his nose in on the ball, roughing it up at times . . . really impressed with his effort.”

Pippen’s first game with the Grizzlies on Jan. 20 came against the Bulls in Chicago, where his father’s retired No. 33 hangs in the rafters alongside six NBA championship banners. And Pippen’s most recent game featured his career-high scoring effort against the 76ers as his father sat courtside to watch at FedExForum.

Although he played it coolly, the younger Pippen embraced the magnitude of that moment.&nbsp;

“He watches all of my games; I’m used to him being there so it’s nothing crazy, but I think it’s cool,” Pippen Jr. said. “He’s been a bit more chill lately. But in college and high school, he was a little bit harder on me. If he sees something I need to work on – or if I’m doing something wrong – he’ll tell me. So he definitely helps me a lot.”

As the late-season primary facilitator, Pippen helped to steer Memphis toward a positive finish. The Grizzlies have won three of their four April games while playing a lineup of players on 10-day contracts granted through NBA injury exceptions or two-way deals.

That includes Jemison, the 6-10 post player who signed his development deal Feb. 9 after he was initially added on a 10-day contract. Undrafted out of UAB in 2023, Jemison started his pro career in the G League before signing a 10-day deal with the Washington Wizards.

He’s made the most of his opportunities in Memphis. In 19 games, Jemison has averaged 7.4 points and 5.2 rebounds while shooting 58.1-percent from the field in 22.8 minutes. Jemison’s screen-setting, rebounding and relief baskets in the paint – particularly with his vintage skyhook shot – has provided the Grizzlies a needed boost.

Those minutes became available in the power rotation when the Grizzlies traded Steven Adams, Xavier Tillman and David Roddy earlier this season. Brandon Clarke returned to action in late March after missing the first four months to recover from Achilles surgery.

The front office plans to prioritize a frontline center or power forward in the June draft, July free agency or offseason trades, however Jemison hopes to remain positioned in the power pipeline.

“It’s been a long journey, to be honest,” Jemison said of grinding his way into this position with the Grizzlies. “Just watching the film, then being on the court with the guys has helped me so much. It’s just finding that rhythm and learning what to do.”

Jemison will finish the season facing some major tests and opportunities to maintain his progress. After facing league MVP Joel Embiid on Saturday, this week features potential matchups in the post against rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama, former lottery pick Evan Mobley, All-NBA standout Anthony Davis and reigning Finals MVP Nikola Jokic.&nbsp;

No team in the NBA has gotten more out of their two-way contract players than the Grizzlies. Memphis opened the season with Jacob Gilyard, Vince Williams Jr. and GG Jackson on the three allotted two-way development deals.

Gilyard started 14 of his 37 games at point guard before he was released. Williams and Jackson posted breakout seasons and were rewarded with standard, four-year NBA contracts midway through the season. Ultimately, Pippen and Jemison inherited two of the two-way roster spots that became available as others were upgraded.

“It’s definitely motivating to go to a place where you see guys that worked hard and eventually were rewarded for that,” Pippen acknowledged. “I don’t try to think about that too much because I don’t want it to take away from the game. But it’s going out here every day, playing hard and helping my teammates.”

Pippen and Jemison are among those who get one more week of NBA games to do just that.

Then awaits an offseason of even more developmental opportunities with the Grizzlies.

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MikeCheck: Pippen, Jemison sparking Grizzlies productive sprint to season’s finish line

MEMPHIS – As the most decorated player in franchise history, Marc Gasol never hesitated to do whatever it took to selflessly carry the Memphis Grizzlies through their greatest era.

But when he enters FedExForum on Saturday night, it might be the most uncomfortable spot he’s ever been in throughout his professional basketball career.

That’s because the spotlight, reflections, fanfare and attention will be exclusively on Gasol.

“Throughout everything, it’s never been about me,” Gasol insisted. “It’s been about, ‘How can I help the process, how can we help each other, get to our very best? It’s been about us being honest with each other, and putting in the work collectively, day in and day out.”

On this day, Gasol’s impact and work throughout a 14-year professional career will land his Grizzlies No. 33 jersey into the rafters in retirement at FedExForum.

The franchise’s career leader in minutes, blocks, rebounds and free-throw attempts during his time in Memphis from 2008-2019, Gasol partnered with forward Zach Randolph, guard Mike Conley and swingman Tony Allen to form the beloved Core Four.

Those Grizzlies teams engineered the Grit’N’Grind era in which Memphis made seven straight playoff appearances and advanced to the Western Conference Finals in 2013.&nbsp;

Gasol, regarded as one of the most versatile centers in NBA history, guided the way as a three-time NBA All-Star, two-time Olympic silver medalist (Spain), a 2013 Defensive Player of the Year and a member of the Toronto Raptors 2019 NBA championship team.

But it was Gasol’s tenure in Memphis that truly defined his career on and off the court. From a chubby high school standout in Memphis emerging from older brother Pau’s shadow to piecing together a future Hall of Fame career of his own, Gasol’s legacy is intact.

During the Grizzlies game Saturday against the Philadelphia 76ers, Gasol will join Randolph as the second player in franchise history to have his jersey immortalized in Memphis. Gasol, who officially retired from professional basketball last year, spoke with Grind City Media about his life, legacy and mission in this next phase of his phenomenal career.

GCM: Your parents, a doctor and nurse, set a tremendous example with community service and dedication. What impact did their work have on you growing up and eventually forming your own mission to help others in Memphis, Spain and throughout the world?

GASOL: They obviously set an example without meaning to because that’s what they believed in. They believed in service for others, doing that for their careers as doctors and my dad as a nurse. We saw it every day. We saw the late nights that my mom wouldn’t come home because she had to go to people’s homes who couldn’t make it to the hospital. She would do that over and over. That’s just in their soul.&nbsp; It's something you see, and it’s not necessarily explained. Instead, you just see the example they set day in and day out.

GCM: What’s it like for you these days in retirement as an owner of a Spanish pro basketball franchise? How have you used the franchise to bring together your passion and philanthropic interests?

GASOL: I like to give an opportunity if they want it bad enough and if they’re willing to do the commitment, then it’s possible. This has just been about giving them the chance and instilling the confidence necessary, right? Because we often want to do something but we can lack confidence or consistency, so we want to give a platform to families with the foundation work. That’s crucial.

And in the professional world, with the basketball club, it’s pretty much the same. The foundation, it’s an LLC and it’s an entertainment company all in one. So, you’re able to reach and impact so many lives through this beautiful sport of basketball. You also learn a lot and the DNA of the franchise evolves every month.

GCM: You’re also doing a lot of work teaching the game to youth in Spain and across the world. How much has being a parent helped you become a better youth coach?

GASOL: It’s the ultimate process in life to become a parent. For me, it’s a continuous test. You go through your life seeing how your parents did it, and now, you become a parent and try to have a positive impact on your kids. It changes completely your perspective. You become just like a secondary, supporting cast member. You’re not the main character anymore. It’s all about how you can help the kids deal with the mistakes they have to make through life and to meet life head on with the confidence they’ll need.&nbsp;

GASOL: You can’t just prevent them from making mistakes like they’re living in a plastic bubble. Life is not always going to be fair, but you teach them how they’re going to react to things that will happen. It’s giving them the confidence to confront those things and the strength to get through them. That’s my main purpose at this moment.

GCM: What’s the best thing about life right now as Marc Gasol?

GASOL: Being (daughter) Julia’s (daughter) and (son) Luca’s dad. Just going to 9-year-old birthday parties and being with their classmates who don’t know anything about basketball. It’s a nice transition into the normal life. I enjoy sleeping much better now because I don’t play anymore. My obsession with basketball wasn’t always healthy, so I get to sleep a lot better throughout the year. Those little changes are important. I’ve enjoyed it and gave everything to it. But being able to sleep at night, waking up and taking the kids to school – all those little things that are important to me right now. It’s crucial.

GCM: So, you’ve transitioned seamlessly from help defense on NBA superstars to helping with nightly grade-school homework projects?

GASOL: Yeah, yeah! I’m right there. But they don’t have as much homework as I used to have. The educational system has changed for the better in some things. Everything is more project-based. I help and they teach me more than I teach them. A lot of things I’ve kept at the back of the drawer now, I’m refreshing them and teaching them ways of doing things. And I enjoy that. But overall, I know that you’ll learn more from them than they’re going to learn from you. Just how you act around them is your main job at the moment.

GCM: What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from following Pau’s Gasol’s journey?

GASOL: From a very young age, I was always the quiet kid in the back just watching and learning from him. I just gathered all the information I could without ever knowing when I was going to need it. I did that when Pau first arrived in Memphis, and I would watch Pau and Shane (Battier) interact and try to create a culture here. Memphis didn’t have an NBA basketball history or culture. So, I was seeing those two young kids come in wanting to change things, and how (coach) Hubie Brown had an impact on the team and franchise. It was a long process to change things. From there to the end of Pau’s career when he retired and transitioned into his next phase, it’s just the human aspect of it.

GCM: Did that prepare you for moments like the one you’ll experience Saturday when your jersey is retired, as family, friends and thousands of fans pay their respect?

GASOL: You learn and see what really matters at the end is not the same as what mattered during the process. In the process, everything is wins and losses. And you have to be that way for you to be great. You have to be at a certain level of craziness. But in the end, when everything is said and done, you see it was all about human relationships and how you’re going to impact everyday life. What I saw most was how Pau cared. And at his Hall of Fame ceremony last year, I saw Dirk (Nowitzki) speak about the same things. Becky Hammon and Coach (Greg) Popovich and Dwyane Wade, they weren’t up there talking about wins and losses or all those things we care about during the journey. They spoke about relationships.

GCM: And speaking of relationships, there aren’t many bonds in NBA history as strong as the ones you established with Mike, Tony and Zach as Grizzlies’ teammates.

GASOL: When you look into each other’s eyes, everything goes back to our bond and who we are. It’s crazy that whenever I see Zach, Tony or Mike, there’s something in your system that just brings you back instantly to those connections. It’s truly like a family reunion because you’ve been through so much together, good and bad. The trust level connects on a much, much deeper level than some other relationships you may have. You’ve seen the true character of each other. Being truthful and honest about the work you’re putting in, that’s what we were able to do with our group of guys. We were always so honest with each other, where we were able to create a bond that will last forever.

GCM: Jaren Jackson Jr. is the lone remaining link from the era you anchored to the current NextGen group of Grizzlies also powered by Ja Morant and Desmond Bane. How have you seen Jaren and this group build on the foundation your Grit’N’Grind Grizzlies established?

GASOL: It’s good to see everyone does it their own way. You don’t have to do it the same way as before. I think guys have more freedom to be themselves, and they’re comfortable doing so. There are many ways to lead, and you don’t have to lead the way you were led. I like that about Jaren and this group. They have their own identity; their own personalities and they want to win that way. It’s figuring out how to put everything together and be consistent. But they have the talent. It’s great to see. They’re fun to watch. And I love seeing when (Jaren) has those nights when the stat line is filled. I can’t do anything but smile because he has a huge impact on both ends. It’s now about when we’re going to put it all together and get everybody healthy and ready. Because the potential is through the roof.

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MikeCheck: Gasol’s legacy on and off court culminates in Grizzlies’ No. 33 lifted to rafters

MEMPHIS – For an accurate snapshot of just how erratic this season has been for the Grizzlies, look no further than Jaren Jackson Jr.’s first two games of their current road trip.

On the first stop in Orlando on Saturday, Jackson slumped through a 1-for-9 shooting effort to finish with a season-low four points in 26 minutes during a 30-point blowout loss.

Stop two in Detroit produced the completely opposite end of the spectrum for the franchise anchor. Jackson painted a portrait of dominance and perseverance as he etched out 40 points, seven rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks in a 110-108 win over the Pistons.

The common denominator in that span of 48 hours for the Grizzlies?

“I try to be there for my team, go out and do what I do,” Jackson insisted. “We’ve gone through a lot. And all you can do is try to learn from all of it, you know. Keep grinding. That’s really it.”

Through the ups and downs – including all of the injuries, absences, roster changes and adversity in between – Jackson’s availability has essentially been counted on all season for Memphis.

That win over Detroit as both teams eye a spot in next month’s draft lottery could easily be dismissed as a relatively meaningless victory over a young team with the NBA’s worst record.&nbsp;

But for the Grizzlies and Jackson, it counts for way more than that. It registers as game No. 65 he has played this season, meaning the sixth-year veteran has reached the league’s new threshold to qualify for postseason honors and awards with seven regular season games remaining.

The Grizzlies (25-50) end their three-game trip with Wednesday’s matchup with Milwaukee before returning home to play five of their final six games at FedExForum to close the season. &nbsp;

Jackson, the NBA’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year, has been one of the few constants during a season in which Memphis set NBA records for roster attrition forced by injuries. The Grizzlies are approaching nearly 500 combined games missed this season to player injuries. They have used 45 different starting lineups and had 31 different players appear in at least one game.

It’s all largely orbited around Jackson, who has pushed through the difficulties to expand his game, increase his leadership and embrace the bigger-picture perspective required to salvage something productive from this savage season.

“With everything we’ve challenged him with, he’s responded,” Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said of Jackson. “From a development standpoint, IQ standpoint, leadership standpoint – he’s been a spirit leader for us, navigating adversity throughout the season. The fact he’s been healthy and available all season, dating to the end of last season, has really set him up for success. Despite what our record is, his individual growth has taken huge steps on both sides of the floor.”

Coming off consecutive seasons of leading the NBA in blocks and becoming one of the youngest defensive player of the year winners in league history, Jackson has taken on more responsibility on offense this season. The Grizzlies relied more heavily on Jackson as a scorer and playmaker with catalysts Ja Morant missing all but nine games due to suspension and shoulder surgery.

Memphis has also been without Marcus Smart, Desmond Bane and Derrick Rose for significant chunks of the season. Jackson has responded with career-high season averages in minutes (32.1), scoring (22.3), assists (2.3) and steals (1.2) while still posting nearly two blocks per game.

He’s done most of that work since January primarily lining up at center, where he shifted from his natural power forward position to help the team fill another void due to injuries and attrition. The Grizzlies have prioritized adding frontcourt depth, particularly in the power rotation, this offseason through either trades, June’s NBA Draft or the July free-agency period.

But in the meantime, seeing how well Jackson transitions to the center spot has been among the biggest in-season projects the team has focused on during this late-season evaluation process. In the 14 games he’s played since the All-Star Break, almost exclusively at center, Jackson, at 6-foot-11 and 250 pounds, has adjusted to the increased physical demands with higher production.

During that stretch covering the past six weeks, Jackson’s minutes, shot attempts, free-throw attempts, assists, rebounds, steals and blocks have all increased from prior to the All-Star break. That’s where Jenkins applauds the biggest growth in Jackson’s impact.

Jenkins also pointed to how Jackson has remained on an upward trajectory since last offseason, when he spent the summer anchoring Team USA at center during the FIBA World Cup in Asia.

“The durability has been one of the most impressive things, the amount of work he’s put in dating to Team USA and the confidence boost it gave him to take the next step in his game,” Jenkins added. “We faced our share of challenges this year as a team, but it hasn’t deterred him from finding different ways to impact growth even though we’re not always getting the results.”

Along the way, Jackson has managed an upbeat temperament and a positive spirit.

Being available throughout the season has allowed Jackson to log important minutes on the court with the Grizzlies’ emerging players such as swingmen Vince Williams Jr. and GG Jackson. GG Jackson and Williams arrived in the second round of each of the past two drafts and have used this season to develop into key pieces to the primary rotation moving forward.

Playing alongside Jaren Jackson, both Williams and GG Jackson showed enough promise and potential to have their two-way, developmental contracts converted into standard, four-year NBA deals. Jackson’s persistence this season also gave him a chance to be on the court for some initial games with veteran forward Brandon Clarke, who returned to action last week after completing his year-long rehab from Achilles surgery.

The game in Detroit offered an encouraging glimpse into what the future could look like for the Grizzlies’ power rotation. Jackson and Clarke combined for 55 points, 14 rebounds, four blocks and four steals while shooting a combined 57.1-percent from the field.

“You hope for the best for the people that go out there and suit up,” Jackson said of coping with the revolving rotation of players in and out of the lineup this season. “It doesn’t matter whoever it is out there; they know it’s a big responsibility, and we’re trying our best. You just have to keep that same effort and energy, and things will turn around.”

Whether he’s adjusting to different approaches from opponents or adapting to the various challenges from within, Jackson has brought the same work ethic and energy to every task.

This season marks the third straight campaign in which Jackson has played at least 63 games. By comparison, injuries prevented him from playing more than 58 games in any of his first three seasons since he was selected by the Grizzlies with the fourth overall pick in the 2018 draft.

Reaching the 65-game benchmark this season allows Jackson to qualify for NBA awards such as MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, All-NBA teams and the NBA’s All-Defensive teams. In addition to last season’s Defensive Player of the Year award, Jackson has also been an All-Star and a two-time NBA All-Defensive Team selection.

Some of those potential NBA award distinctions are also part of the criteria for players to qualify for super max contract extensions. Jackson has two seasons remaining on his current contract and could enter into negotiations for a potential max-level extension as soon as next offseason.

It’s possible – even likely – that the Grizzlies reduce the burden on Jackson over the final two weeks of the season and play younger players for extended minutes. Jackson has put in the work this season, and has gone above and beyond to set the foundation for his team.

He’s earned it with his persistent presence. &nbsp;

“There’s so many different ways you can improve your game,” Jackson insisted. “There’s going to be way more coverages thrown at you. You have so much more to deal with. So, you’ve got the opportunity every day to go out there. It’s still the NBA, the best league in the world . . . I have to stay positive so everybody else feels it. We still have games left, so there’s opportunity.”

Therefore, durability these days has its benefits.

For now, Jackson’s focus is continued development.

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MikeCheck: Jackson grinds to 65-game milestone for Grizzlies; qualifies for NBA season honors

MEMPHIS – The first stamp of approval came a little more than a month ago.

Through sweat-drenched attire during an All-Star break workout inside a sweltering Caribbean Island gym, Jaren Jackson Jr. saw key signs Brandon Clarke had transitioned.

No longer was Clarke prodding through meticulous stages of rehab nearly a year removed from Achilles surgery; he was now pushing past the final hurdles toward a healthy return.

With every shot, pass, dunk, block and drill they executed alongside other Grizzlies’ teammates during that exotic workout getaway, Jackson saw a familiar version of Clarke.

“B.C. was back to being B.C., yeah,” Jackson recently reflected. “That means he was dunking, running great, setting screens, slipping out, shooting threes. We saw it over the break, and it’s been like that. It’s been crazy growth because he’s healed. From Day 1, he took his rehab seriously and he looks really good right now.”

Well, B.C. is on the verge of getting back to NBA action.

The Grizzlies’ fifth-year power forward is expected to make his season debut this week, likely as soon as Wednesday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers at FedExForum. It will be Clarke’s first game since March 3, 2023, when he ruptured his left Achilles tendon in a loss at Denver and later underwent season-ending surgery.

Symbolically, Clarke was back on that very same court inside Denver’s Ball Arena for an extended pregame workout before Monday’s game against the Nuggets.

Exactly a year after suffering an injury that impacted two seasons of his young NBA career, Clarke was showing the quick, explosive moves and workout regimen that carved him a key role in the Grizzlies’ rotation through his first four NBA seasons.