Memphis, Tenn. – The NBA today announced that Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant and forward/center Jaren Jackson Jr. were selected as reserves for the 72nd NBA All-Star Game, which will take place at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Feb. 19, at 7:30 p.m. CT on TNT. This marks the first time in franchise history that multiple Grizzlies were named NBA All-Stars.
Morant becomes the first player in franchise history to be named to consecutive NBA All-Star Games after making his first career appearance (as a starter) last year and is the third player in franchise history to be selected to multiple NBA All-Star Games (Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph). Jackson Jr., making his first career All-Star appearance, becomes the fifth player in franchise history to be named an NBA All-Star (Pau Gasol).
Morant and Jackson Jr. have helped guided the Grizzlies (32-19) to the second-best record in the Western Conference and the top record in the Southwest Division as of games played through Feb. 1.
In his fourth NBA season, Morant has started all of his 43 appearances and has averaged 27.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 8.3 assists and 1.0 steals in 32.7 minutes. The 23-year-old ranks 11th in the NBA in scoring, fifth in assists and fourth in triple-doubles (5). Morant, who recently became the first player in franchise history to record consecutive triple-doubles (Jan. 27-29), also has posted 17 double-doubles this season, establishing a new single-season career high.
In his fifth NBA season, Jackson Jr. has started all of his 35 games played and has averaged 16.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 3.3 blocks in 27.0 minutes. The 23-year-old is on pace to become the sixth player in the last 30 seasons to average at least one steal per game and at least three blocks per game (joining Marcus Camby, Andrei Kirilenko, Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson and Ben Wallace). Jackson Jr. tied the single-game franchise record with a career-high eight blocks on Dec. 12 vs. Atlanta.
