The Memphis Grizzlies have selected South Carolina Gamecocks forward Gregory “GG” Jackson II with the 45th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. He is the first Gamecock to be drafted since Sindarius Thornwell in 2017.

Jackson was a highly-rated high school recruit. 247Sports rated him as the sixth overall recruit in the 2022 class. In addition, he was rated as the top-rated commit in Gamecocks’ history.

As a freshman, he averaged 15.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 0.8 steals, and 0.8 blocks. However, he struggled with efficiency, shooting 38.4 percent from the field and 32.4 percent from three.

At the next level, the 18-year-old has sky-high potential due to elite athleticism, size, and shooting ability. He will join a deep roster in Memphis, where he will give them frontcourt depth behind Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr.

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