BREAKING: GG Jackson II Drafted By The Memphis Grizzlies

GG Jackson, last season's freshman star for South Carolina's men's basketball team, was taken by Memphis Grizzlies with the 45th overall pick.

For many years now, GG Jackson and everyone who saw him play knew that the Columbia, SC native had a special skillset that could one day lead him to playing in the greatest professional basketball league in the world, the NBA. Now, the former Gamecock's dream has been realized, as the 6'9 power forward from Columbia, SC, has been picked by the Memphis Grizzlies with the 45th pick of the NBA draft.

GG led the Gamecocks last season as their most productive player, averaged 15.4 points and 5.9 rebounds, and was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team. Jackson is a huge steal for the Grizzlies, as he was the No. 1 player in the class of 2023 before reclassifying to the 2022 cycle. 

He was projected as the top pick in the 2023 NBA Draft before he reclassified into the 2022 class and enrolled at South Carolina. GG was the highest-ranked player to ever join South Carolina's basketball program and was just the fourth 5-star player to commit to the Gamecocks in the modern recruiting era, along with Sindarius Thornwell, PJ Dozier, and Brian Bowen II.

He's also the first Gamecock to be drafted since 2017, with the last player being Sindarius Thornwell when he was picked by the Milwaukee Bucks. GG Jackson will be one of six Gamecocks in the league, joining PJ Dozier, A.J. Lawson and Chris Silva.

You Might Also Like:

• Dawn Staley Continues Partnership With Aflac With An Act Of Philanthropy
• Jermaine O'Neal's Son Reveals His Dad Almost Chose To Play For South Carolina
• Former Gamecock Aliyah Boston Earns WNBA Rookie of the Month Honors

Join the community:

• Follow Andrew Lyon on Twitter: @ALyon_SC
• Follow Arvon Bacon on Twitter: @baconnetworkllc
• Follow Christian Dart on Twitter: @ChristianJDart
• Follow Fisher Brewer on Twitter: @USCTalk
• Follow Matt Bishop on Twitter: @ThatsABishop
• Follow Locked On Gamecocks on Youtube or wherever you get your podcasts

You can follow us for future coverage by clicking "Follow" on the top right-hand corner of the page. Also, be sure to like us on Facebook @GamecocksDigest & follow us on Twitter at @GamecocksDigest.