Grizzlies center Jaren Jackson Jr. named 2022-23 NBA Defensive Player of the Year

Jaren Jackson Jr. (YouTube)

According to the Associated Press on Monday, Memphis Grizzlies center Jaren Jackson Jr. of Plainfield, New Jersey was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year. This past season he led the NBA with three blocks per game.

It was the second consecutive season that Jackson Jr. led the NBA in blocks per game. He led the NBA with 2.3 blocks per game in 2021-22.

Jackson Jr. also set the Grizzlies franchise record for most blocks in a game with eight. He accomplished the feat in a 128-103 Memphis win over the Atlanta Hawks on December 12.

Despite leading the NBA in blocks per game, Jackson Jr. did not lead the NBA in total blocks. Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez of North Hollywood, California had a NBA-high 193 blocks, while Jackson Jr. was second with 189 blocks. Interestingly however that was 12 more blocks than when Jackson Jr. led the NBA with 177 blocks during the 2021-22 NBA season.

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Jackson also averaged 6.8 rebounds per game, five defensive rebounds per game, 1.7 offensive rebounds per game, and one steal per game. Jackson is also averaging a career-high 18.6 points per game, and has one assist per game, a field goal percentage of .506, three-point percentage of .355, and a free throw percentage of .788. Jackson was also a NBA All-Star for the first time.

This is the second time a Grizzlies player has won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award. Marc Gasol of Barcelona, Spain won in 2012-13.

The Grizzlies meanwhile trail the Los Angeles Lakers 1-0 in the Western Conference quarterfinals. On Sunday, the Lakers came through with a 128-112 win in game one of the best of seven series. Rui Hachimura of Toyama, Japan led the Lakers with an impressive 29 points.

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