SAN FRANCISCO – The unrelenting admiration is genuine simply because Jaren Jackson Jr. is familiar with their respective journeys.
Jackson knows the adrenaline rush and nervous energy of being a rookie starter in a grown-man’s league, tasked with defending the game’s biggest superstars on a nightly basis. Seven years ago, Jackson was fresh out of college and often matched against perennial All-NBA performers in Blake Griffin, Anthony Davis, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic.
So, there’s a natural kinship between Jackson and rookie Grizzlies’ teammate Jaylen Wells, a small forward who draws the high-profile defensive assignments every night on the wing.
The same can be said of the growing bond between the 7-foot Jackson and 7-4 Grizzlies center Zach Edey, who is grappling with the rigorous demands of being a rookie big man in the NBA.
“Nothing about what they’re having to do at this level is easy,” Jackson explained of Wells and Edey. “They handle it amazingly. They do so much for us, defending the best players and doing it on a team that’s in a winning situation. They’ve adapted so quickly to understand us, when they didn’t even really know us. What they’re doing is huge, and it’s only really the beginning.”
Because Jackson has been in their shoes, it’s only fitting he’ll share in the journey as Wells and Edey embark on their first All-Star Weekend experience as breakout rookies.
All three will represent the Grizzlies in the Bay area, where Wells and Edey will participate in the Castrol Rising Stars tournament Friday and Jackson will play in Sunday’s 74th NBA All-Star Game.
Jackson’s second All-Star berth comes in the midst of his most complete season as he averages a career-high 23 points, six rebounds, 1.6 blocks and 1.3 steals through 52 games. He’s the only player in the NBA this season to tally at least 100 made 3-pointers, 85 blocks and 65 steals.
That level of production, coupled with Memphis (36-18) posting the second-best record in the ultra-competitive West, has Jackson strongly positioned for All-NBA consideration. The Grizzlies have relied heavily on Jackson to lead the way on one of only three teams to reach the break ranked top-7 in the league in both offensive and defensive rating.
But Jackson quickly attributes a large part of the Grizzlies initial success this season to the rapid development of their two rookie starters in Wells and Edey.
While Jackson leads the Grizzlies in scoring, Edey is the team’s top rebounder (7.6 per game) and Wells has played in more games this season than any starter on the roster. Each appreciates something unique about what the other two contribute to the team.
What stands out about Edey well beyond his massive frame is the willingness to come in as the No. 9 overall pick in the 2024 draft and transform both his body and his skillset. At Purdue, Edey was a two-time NCAA player of the year and focal point of a methodical, low-post offense.
With the Grizzlies, Edey has redefined his body and game to adjust to a system that operates at the fastest pace in the NBA. There have been growing pains and stretches of inconsistent playing time along the way. But Edey’s work ethic and willingness to quickly apply what he’s learned from one week to the next has kept him in the starting role at center.
“You see him getting better every day because he’s always asking questions,” Wells said of what he admires most about Edey. “He and I messed up a ball screen assignment (against the Clippers), and we immediately had a quick conversation and got it fixed. Our chemistry on the defensive end is coming together well, too. He’s a great person off the floor too, and just a guy you want to be around. And he’s 7-4, too. So that’s cool.”
Edey entered the week averaging 10.4 points and 10.2 rebounds in February games, his most productive month so far of the season. He embraces the opportunities and challenges of joining Wells as the only set of rookie starters on a team with a winning record this season.
As the No. 39 pick in the second round, Wells has drastically outperformed his draft stock and has been one of the league’s biggest surprises. A path to the NBA that began at Division II Sonoma State, Wells has already emerged as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders.
Wells is one of five Grizzlies averaging in double figures (11.2), ranks first among all NBA rookies in made 3-pointers (100) and is second in total points. Teammates say his consistency and fearless mindset are Wells’ most impressive attributes.
“It’s his discipline and how he handles his business every day,” Edey said of Wells. “He comes in with that serious mindset and stays on his routine. We support each other with everything, pushing each other. We both know more than anyone else what we’re going through, being two rookies trying to learn all we can, trying to help a winning team, accepting new roles.”
Jackson has made it a priority to remain accessible to Wells and Edey. It can be during an intense moment in the midst of a game, a teaching moment at practice, a prank opportunity on the road or just time talking about family routines away from basketball.
Wells insists Jackson is always providing lessons, even when he’s not speaking.
“He’s the kind of person I look up to because he’s always doing the right things,” Wells said of Jackson, the 2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year. “Even when he’s not saying something, you see the way he operates and you learn. He’s always encouraging. He always gives me credit for my defensive efforts. When that’s coming from a star, that means a lot and just gives you confidence. It makes you want to go out there and keep doing what you’re doing.”
Edey considers it “a blessing” to develop in the early stages of his career alongside Jackson. It’s a role Jackson approaches as a welcomed responsibility entering the prime of his career.
It’s also a way of paying it forward.
Seven years ago, Jackson was a 19-year-old rookie who learned the NBA ropes from then-Grizzlies veteran center Marc Gasol. Back then, Gasol was a two-time NBA All-Star taking on a leadership role for an awkward-yet-eager young talent in Jackson.
Life in the NBA sort of comes full circle at times.
No wonder Jackson sees a little bit of himself in both Wells and Edey.
“It’s Jaylen’s approach to defense, especially when he’s guarding the best player every single night – and he’s just so calm about it,” Jackson said. “And he’s still knocking down threes and not being scared offensively, not being sped up. He has no fear.”
And then there’s the Edey evaluation at the midway break.
“Zach’s ability and willingness to understand and embrace our offense, coming from a system in college that was just really focused on getting him the ball every time, you admire him for that,” Jackson insisted. “He’s gone from posting up all day to now being in a motion offense that requires something really different from him. He’s making the transition as easy as possible.”
Jackson, Wells and Edey now transition to All-Star Weekend among the NBA’s best and brightest. Edey and Wells will team up again in the Rising Stars showcase, and Jackson plans to attend their game Friday night to support the Grizzlies’ contingent.
Under the NBA’s new tournament style format, Edey and Wells have a shot to win their Rising Stars challenge and advance to potentially face Jackson’s squad in Sunday’s All-Star Game.
The mission is clear.
“We’re going to go up there, have fun and just enjoy our time like we have during the season,” Edey assured.
Wells agreed.
“Definitely happy to have this accomplishment and to play with Zach again,” Wells said. “Just another opportunity to make a name for myself again and do things we’ve been able to do.”