Jaren Jackson Jr. emerged as one of the best defenders in the league for the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2021-22 season. One year later, the fifth-year forward was even better. The second-youngest player to ever win Defensive Player of the Year at 23, Jackson Jr. led the league in blocks per game for the second consecutive season and saw his average jump from 2.3 to 3.0. It was the second straight All-Defensive First Team selection for Jackson Jr., a first-time All-Star after averaging 18.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game on better than 50 percent shooting as he helped the Grizzlies win 50-plus games in back-to-back campaigns. He became the second player in franchise history and one of just four 23-year-olds in NBA history to win the award. The 6-foot-10 Jackson Jr. led the league in block percentage and was second in total blocks, leading a Memphis defensive unit that was rated third overall in the NBA while holding opponents to the lowest field-goal percentage. Jackson Jr. led the league in field-goal percentage allowed at the rim and became one of four players since 1983 to lead his team to a top-five defensive rating while also averaging at least three blocks and one steal per game. · Dec 15, 2025