SALT LAKE CITY – They possessed the necessary tools and figured out the essential clues.
Word is, GG Jackson and Tarik Biberovic adapted quickly, worked together and helped their group successfully emerge from an escape room challenge during a Fourth of July team activity.
The next step is unlocking their on-court potential.
After a day off from games, the rookie second-round draft picks will continue to get acclimated to the NBA development process when play resumes in the Salt Lake City Summer League.
“It’s a lot of new things for them all at once, and they’re still learning a lot,” said Grizzlies assistant Vitaly Potapenko, head coach of the summer league team. “It’s all about first steps for them as they get more minutes under their belts.”
That next opportunity comes Wednesday, when the Grizzlies face Oklahoma City at the Delta Center in their second of three games this week in Salt Lake City. The Grizzlies (1-0) wrap up against the Jazz on Thursday before traveling to Las Vegas for the NBA2K24 Summer League.
The Grizzlies are eager to build on Monday’s uneven performance in their opening game when they led early, struggled through the middle quarters and rallied for a 94-92 win over the 76ers. Memphis ultimately overcame its sluggish play by getting a spark from a group of second-year players who all gained varying levels of NBA experience in games last season for the Grizzlies.
Kenny Lofton Jr. (21 points, 13 rebounds), Vince Williams Jr. (19 points), David Roddy (18 points) and Jake LaRavia (12 points) all scored in double figures. The provided the experience and balance that should make the Grizzlies one of the more formidable and productive teams in both the Salt Lake City and Las Vegas summer league stops.
The team is hopeful Roddy and LaRavia can use the summer games as a springboard to compete in fall training camp for key rotation roles at the forward spots next season. Yet, these playing opportunities in July are also vital in assessing the newest prospects in the Grizzlies’ pipeline.
For the first time in four years, Grizzlies president of basketball operations and general manager Zach Kleiman did not select a player in the first round of the draft. Instead, Memphis dealt the No. 25 pick in a three-team trade to acquire veteran combo guard Marcus Smart from Boston.
The Grizzlies did use both of their second-round picks, selecting Jackson after his freshman season out of South Carolina at No. 45 and then Biberovic out of the Euro Leagues at No. 56.
Biberovic is expected to continue his development in professional leagues overseas in the coming seasons, with the Grizzlies maintaining his NBA rights. The 6-7 swingman, considered one of Europe’s emerging 3-point shooting prospects, missed all three of his attempts in 10 minutes off the bench during Monday’s summer debut.
Potapenko is encouraged by Biberovic’s work ethic as he embraces a new culture and scheme.
“With Tarik, he’s having to learn everything from the (English) language, the terminology and the system,” Potapenko said of Biberovic, who shot a combined 41 percent on threes over his last three seasons in Europe. “But he was in there competing (Monday) and didn’t mess up a lot. He’s going to get better as he gets more comfortable and more opportunities.”
Jackson, 6-9, finished with 10 points in 17 minutes as one of five Grizzlies players to reach double figures Monday. At 18 years old and the youngest player in last month’s draft class, Jackson flashed both jitters and a few jaw-dropping plays on both ends of the court.
His length and versatility allowed Jackson to score over defenders in the lane. He blocked two shots, with impactful athleticism. And he made four of eight shots, including a 3-pointer.
They’re all tools that made Jackson one of the nation’s top-rated prep prospects in the class of 2022, as well as an All-SEC freshman team selection during his lone season at South Carolina. But questions about his drive and maturity at times haunted Jackson, with scouts and analysts believing those issues contributed to his falling into the second round of the draft.
Jackson said he was told by NBA personnel during evaluations that he was a top-five talent but was young and raw. He knows there are improvements to make as he transitions to the NBA.
“I’m really about to lock in like I’ve never locked in before,” said Jackson, who had an individual pre-draft workout in Memphis. “It’s time to get down to business. This has all motivated me a lot. There’s definitely going to be a few changes, not just in my game but mentally as well.”
We’re just trying to coach him up on the fly. He’s done a great job of asking questions and listening, so that’s a superpower as a rookie. For him, it’s coming in and getting comfortable with the organization and getting comfortable with himself. And as he does that, it’s going to be a lot of fun watching him grow.
David Roddy
Kleiman acknowledged some of the challenges Jackson faces but reiterated the Grizzlies will provide the resources and development necessary to help him ultimately thrive.
“GG self-admittedly didn’t have the best freshman year . . . things with how he handled his approach to the game that he would take back,” Kleiman assessed. “He’s going to have to put in the work to really achieve his potential. We’re going to give him the structure to do that. If he can put it together, we’re very positive he has an opportunity to be an impactful NBA player.”
That path after summer league is likely to route Jackson to the Memphis Hustle, the Grizzlies’ G League affiliate. Kleiman anticipates signing Jackson to a “two-way” contract that will allow him to shuttle between the Hustle for games and workouts with the Grizzlies for his rookie season.
Jackson’s mentality and willingness to learn have impressed his Grizzlies teammates so far. During practices and games, Jackson constantly seeks out coaches and players for guidance.
“We’re just trying to coach him up on the fly,” Roddy said of his discussions with Jackson. “He’s done a great job of asking questions and listening, so that’s a superpower as a rookie. For him, it’s coming in and getting comfortable with the organization and getting comfortable with himself. And as he does that, it’s going to be a lot of fun watching him grow.”
Roddy’s had an ideal vantage point this week.
On Monday, he was on the court during Jackson’s encouraging plays.
On Tuesday, Roddy guided the two rookie draft picks through the escape room.
What’s next? A July full of growth opportunities as these newest Grizzlies grind their way through the summer development process.