Jaren Jackson Jr. of the Memphis Grizzlies has had an impressive season so far.
He led the NBA in blocked shots per game during the regular season with 3.0, and it was the second year in a row he was tops in that category.
Jackson was named to his first All-Star team a few months ago, and on Monday, he won the Defensive Player of the Year award, making him the second-youngest player to win that honor.
He was captured on video at home learning he had won the award, and his reaction was both humble and wholesome.
Jaren Jackson Jr.’s reaction to winning the Defensive Player of the Year award is so wholesome 🥺🏆pic.twitter.com/QHDHMmmghj
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) April 17, 2023
Jackson, a 23-year-old native of New Jersey, is in his fifth pro season after being the fourth player taken in the 2018 NBA Draft.
This season, he not only played lots of stellar defense and provided rim protection for a strong Grizzlies team, but he also expanded his game by averaging 18.6 points a game while shooting 50.6 percent from the field and 35.5 percent from 3-point range.
He was a big reason Memphis finished third in defensive rating during the regular season.
In Game 1 of their first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday, Jackson played at the peak of his powers, not only blocking two shots but also scoring 31 points on 13-of-21 shooting.
But it wasn’t enough, as the Grizzlies fell to LeBron James’ crew, 128-112.
They will likely be at a major disadvantage moving forward, as Ja Morant, their franchise player, is unlikely to play in Game 2 because of a hand injury he suffered on Sunday when he committed an offensive foul during the fourth quarter.
NEXT:
Jaren Jackson Jr. Makes History With Today’s Award Win
