GG Jackson

GG Jackson bet on himself in a way few teenagers do — reclassifying to reach college a year early, then declaring for the draft after one season at South Carolina, which made him the youngest player in the 2023 class. Memphis grabbed him 45th overall, a second-round swing on upside, and it paid off fast: as a rookie he dropped 44 points on Denver in April 2024, becoming the youngest player in NBA history with a 40-point, 10-rebound game. The 6'9" forward's gift is scoring — a smooth pull-up and range that stretches defenses — while defense and shot selection are the clear growth areas. Memphis has committed to developing him through their rebuild, exercising his team option, betting the shot-making matures into a long-term core piece.