Second year Grizzly bears combo forward GG Jackson is already making strides as a rebounder in Summer League games, writes Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal. He has recorded back-to-back double-doubles in scoring and rebounding in his first four Summer League games. Cole notes that Memphis regularly tasks him with some of the team’s toughest defensive duties.

On Thursday, Jackson helped the Grizzlies remain undefeated, showing off his improved playmaking skills with a six-assist performance, Cole added in another piece. Memphis defeated the Clippers in their Summer League semifinal matchup on Sunday, and will face the winner of an ongoing Heat-Warriors playoff semifinal on Monday.

Jackson was selected with the 45th overall pick in last year’s draft out of South Carolina. The 6’9″ forward quickly emerged as one of the best players in his rookie class, earning an All-Rookie Team berth for his efforts. In 48 games (18 starts), Jackson averaged 14.6 points on a .428/.357/.752 slash line while also grabbing 4.1 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.5 blocks nightly.

There’s more to experience in the Southwest Division:

• Second year Pelicans shooting guard Jordan Hawkins left his final game of Summer League with an ankle injury, but x-rays on the ailment came back negative, reports Christian Clark of NOLA.com (Twitter link). The 14th overall pick out of UConn, the 6’5″ swingman averaged 7.8 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.0 assists during his 2023-24 rookie season.
• Third year Tracks guard Blake Wesley reflected on the club’s decision to add a 12-time All-Star veteran Chris Paulus on the open market last summer, in a new interview with Cyro Asseo de Choch of HoopsHype. “He’s a great guy,” said Wesley. “We trained with him not too long ago in the Summer League. Yeah. So it’s good. He’s a great guy. He talks to me, coaches me, tells me to go handle the ball. So I’m enjoying it so far and I can’t wait to learn and get the knowledge. Really take what he’s got. So I’m excited.” Paul is one of the best facilitators and shooters in the history of the sport and has shown great ability to coach young guards, so his addition could help Wesley tremendously.
• The Rockets enjoyed an active Summer League run, writes Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle in a piece detailing his takeaways from the event. No. 3 draft pick Reed Shepherd has already impressed as a goalscorer, averaging 20 points per game, although he has struggled to protect the ball.