Jaren Jackson Jr., former Michigan State star, voted NBA Defensive Player of the Year
Jaren Jackson Jr, deservedly, was voted the NBA Defensive Player of the Year on Monday after leading the league in blocks per game for the 2nd straight season. He beat out the likes of Milwaukee’s Brook Lopez and Cleveland’s Evan Mobley.
Jackson has been in the league for 5 seasons out of Michigan State and has progressively gotten better for the Grizzlies, who are currently the No. 2 team in the West.
stamp that 🏆@jarenjacksonjr | #BigMemphis pic.twitter.com/IQ03QvBeXI
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) April 17, 2023
Triple-J is seeing his defense turn into offense as well. He’s averaging 18.8 points per game this season, the most of his career thus far. He’s also hitting under 51% of his shots from the field.
Sounds worthy of the award to us. Unfortunately for Memphis and Jackson, the Lakers are playing inspired basketball and have already taken a game in Memphis, earning home-court advantage in the process. Add that to Ja Morant’s hand injury and the No. 2 team in the west may be in some trouble. DPOY or not.
