Memphis Grizzlies big man Jaren Jackson Jr. is the recipient of this season's Defensive Player of the Year award, the NBA announced Monday on TNT.
Jackson beat out fellow finalists Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez and Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley. Lopez and Mobley finished second and third, respectively, according to Eric Nehm of The Athletic.
Jackson joins Marc Gasol as the only Grizzlies to win the honor.
DPOY BITNESSSSSSSS 🏆@jarenjacksonjr | #BigMemphis pic.twitter.com/jlDcHveYpU
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) April 17, 2023
The Grizzlies rim-protector led the league with three blocks per contest during the regular season, his second straight year atop the the NBA. He also posted the Association's best mark in opponents' field-goal percentage (among players with at least 41 games this season), holding shooters to 43.1% from the floor. Jackson, 23, recorded a single-game career high of eight blocks this season in a Dec. 12 win over the Atlanta Hawks.
After missing the first 14 games of the campaign while recovering from foot surgery, Jackson made an immediate impact on Memphis' defense upon his return. During his early-season absence, the Grizzlies surrendered 112.4 points per 100 possessions; in 63 games with the former fourth overall pick, they registered a 106.6 defensive rating with Jackson on the floor, the team's best mark involving any player who played at least 20 games this season.
Jackson averaged career highs in points (18.6), rebounds (6.8), blocks (3.0) and field-goal percentage (50.6%) as he helped the Grizzlies secure the second seed in the Western Conference. It's his first Defensive Player of the Year prize, capping off a season in which he also made his All-Star debut.
