Memphis Grizzlies’ Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. make NBA All-Star team
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) and forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) were named NBA All-Stars Thursday. (AP File Photo/Brandon Dill)
Two Memphis Grizzlies players are NBA All-Stars this season for the first time in franchise history.
Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. were both selected as reserve players by the NBA coaches.
For Morant it is his second NBA All-Star selection after being voted in as a starter last season. This season he will come off the bench behind only Mavericks guard Luka Doncic and Warriors guard Stephen Curry.
The selection continues a special season for the Memphis point guard, who also received his signature sneaker from Nike in December.
Morant is averaging 27.4 points, 8.3 assists and 5.8 rebounds per game this season for Memphis.
Jackson’s selection came as a little bit more of a surprise, but the forward is certainly deserving.
Jackson missed the first 14 games of the season while recovering from a foot fracture, but has since returned to lead the NBA in blocks per game with 3.3. He has played the biggest role in anchoring a top two defense in the NBA since he took the court.
Jackson is also averaging 16.5 points and grabbing 6.7 rebounds per game, the most of his career.
This season’s All-Star festivities will take place in Salt Lake City from Feb. 17-19. Two-way player Kenneth Lofton Jr. was selected to participate in the Jordan Rising Stars event for the Memphis Hustle.
The All-Star game will be played on Sunday, Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. CT (TNT).
Topics
Ja Morant NBA All-Star Game Jaren Jackson Jr.Drew Hill
Drew Hill covers the Memphis Grizzlies and is a top-10 APSE winner. He has worked throughout the South writing about college athletics before landing in Memphis.
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