NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal shouts out GG Jackson after rookie’s big game
After making waves for the Memphis Grizzlies’ G League team, former South Carolina basketball star GG Jackson has carried that momentum over to the NBA.
On Monday night, his hot streak earned him a mention alongside LeBron James and an interview with another pro basketball legend in Shaquille O’Neal.
Jackson, a former five-star recruit from Columbia and 2023 SEC All-Freshman Team selection for the Gamecocks, had 23 points off the bench in the Grizzlies’ 116-107 win over the Golden State Warriors on Monday night.
That came on the heels of Jackson going for 20 points off the bench in a Jan. 13 game against the New York Knicks after a recent call-up from Memphis Hustle, the Grizzlies’ G League team.
The two-game tear put Jackson, the No. 45 overall pick in the second round of June’s NBA Draft, in distinguished company. At 19 years and 29 days old, he’s the second-youngest player in league history to record back-to-back games of 20 or more points, according to the NBA.
The only player who’s outpaced him? James, who did it five times during his 2003-04 rookie season with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Now a forward for the Los Angeles Lakers, James is the NBA’s all-time leading scorer and widely regarded as one of the top two or three players in league history.
GG Jackson (19y, 29d) is the second-youngest player in NBA history to record back-to-back 20+ point games in NBA history.
Only LeBron James, who did this 5x in the 2003-04 season, has had back-to-back 20+ point games at a younger age. https://t.co/9lMNYsNCDm pic.twitter.com/kAPpuGSDQ9— NBA (@NBA) January 16, 2024
After the Grizzlies’ win over the Warriors and star point guard Stephen Curry on Monday, the TNT broadcast also chose Jackson for its live postgame interview. Jackson, who plays on a two-way deal for Memphis, took questions from broadcaster Ernie Johnson before going viral for his reaction when O’Neal, a Hall of Fame center, jumped in on the conversation.
“GG, Shaq here,” O’Neal said as Jackson’s face lit up at midcourt. “I don’t have any questions. I just wanna say congratulations, young fella.”
“You played a hell of a game, and if people didn’t know who you were, they know who you are now. I’m so proud of you. Congratulations on being ready, brother.”
“It’s an honor to get to hear your voice,” Jackson said. “Appreciate you.”
GG jackson (youngest player in the NBA) gets the TNT interview after grizz W against the warriors and his reaction to hearing shaq address him is everything pic.twitter.com/1I3l6bzzhI
— Molly Morrison (@mollyhannahm) January 16, 2024
Jackson was playing in only his eighth career NBA game after being called up to the main Grizzlies roster amid some injury woes. He’d been playing the majority of the 2023-24 season for the Memphis Hustle. He’s averaged 20.6 points per game for the Hustle during his G League assignments.
A former five-star 2023 recruit from Ridge View High School in Columbia, Jackson verbally committed to the UNC Tar Heels in spring 2022. But months later he decommitted from UNC, reclassified as a 2022 recruit and committed to South Carolina, his hometown school, and rookie coach Lamont Paris.
Jackson played in all 32 games for USC last season, averaging 15.4 points (ninth in the SEC) and 5.9 rebounds (13th in SEC). His scoring average was also the fifth best among freshmen nationally. The 6-foot-9 forward entered the season widely viewed as a lottery pick but slipped to the second round amid questions about his maturity and consistency.
Now, as the youngest active player in the league, he’s making his presence known.
