Look, if you're digging into Jaren Jackson Jr. stats, you probably wanna know more than just basic numbers. As a Memphis Grizzlies fan who's watched every game since his rookie year, I'll tell you straight - his stats sheet tells wild stories that box scores miss. Remember that game against Milwaukee last season where he had 8 blocks but also fouled out in 28 minutes? Classic JJJ right there.
Jaren Jackson Jr. Career Stats Evolution
When JJJ entered the league in 2018, his per-game stats looked modest: 13.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.4 blocks. Solid for a rookie, but nothing screamed "future DPOY". Fast forward to 2023, and man did those jaren jackson jr stats explode. His blocks jumped to a league-leading 3.0 per game while scoring efficiency skyrocketed.
The Raw Numbers by Season
| Season | Points | Rebounds | Blocks | FG% | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | 13.8 | 4.7 | 1.4 | 50.6% | 35.9% |
| 2019-20 | 17.4 | 4.6 | 1.6 | 46.9% | 39.4% |
| 2020-21 | 14.4 | 5.6 | 1.6 | 42.4% | 28.3% |
| 2021-22 | 16.3 | 5.8 | 2.3 | 41.5% | 31.9% |
| 2022-23 (DPOY season) | 18.6 | 6.8 | 3.0 (NBA leader) | 50.6% | 35.5% |
| 2023-24 | 22.5 | 5.6 | 1.8 | 44.8% | 32.3% |
See that wild fluctuation in shooting percentages? That's the JJJ experience in a nutshell. When healthy, he's elite - but injuries have messed with his rhythm several times. Frankly, his 2023-24 shooting dip surprised me given how smooth his jumper looked last season.
What Makes His Defensive Stats Special
You can't talk jaren jackson jr stats without geeking out about defense. That 3.0 blocks average in 2022-23? Only 11 players have done that this century. But here's what most sites don't tell you:
- Contested shots: Forces opponents to shoot 8.2% worse within 6 feet of the rim
- Perimeter defense: Holds shooters to 32.1% on 3-point attempts when closing out
- Help defense: 73% of blocks come assisting other defenders
Still, his defensive stats come with asterisks. His foul rate drives coaches nuts - 3.6 fouls per game last season meant he averaged just 28 minutes. I've lost count of games where Memphis needed him late but he was already fouled out.
Advanced Defensive Metrics
| Metric | 2022-23 | NBA Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Defensive Win Shares | 4.5 | 1st |
| Defensive Rating | 106.3 | 3rd |
| Block % | 9.6% | 1st |
| Deflections/Game | 2.3 | Top 15 among bigs |
These numbers scream elite rim protector. But advanced stats also expose weaknesses - his defensive rebounding percentage (15.7%) ranked just 42nd among centers. That's why Memphis always pairs him with a glass-cleaner like Steven Adams.
Offensive Stats Breakdown
JJJ's scoring stats are misunderstood. Casual fans see 18-22 points and think "solid scorer". But watch film and you'll see he's one of the NBA's most unique offensive weapons.
Scoring Profile Analysis
- Perimeter game: 35% career 3PT shooter on 4.2 attempts/game
- Post efficiency: Shoots 62% within 3 feet but attempts only 2.9 shots/game there
- Free throws: Career 77.5% shooter - rare for a big man
- Mid-range: Just 16% of his shots come between 10ft-3pt line
Here's my take: JJJ sometimes settles for jumpers when he should feast inside. At Michigan State, he dominated the paint. Now? He drifts outside too much. When aggressive, he draws fouls like crazy - his 6.8 FTA/game in 2023-24 proves that.
Injury History and Stat Impact
You can't evaluate JJJ's stats without mentioning injuries. That 2020-21 season where his numbers dipped? He missed 40 games with knee issues. Here's the brutal reality:
| Season | Games Missed | Stat Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 2019-20 | 29 (knee) | -4.5 PPG post-return |
| 2021-22 | 48 (foot) | -8.7% FG early season |
| 2022-23 | 16 (foot soreness) | Minimal - he was on fire |
What worries me is recurring foot problems for a 6'11" big. When JJJ misses time, his rhythm tanks. Post-injury stats show 10-15 game adjustment periods where his shooting efficiency drops 5-7%.
How JJJ's Stats Stack Up Against Elite Big Men
Folks love comparing jaren jackson jr stats to guys like Bam Adebayo or Evan Mobley. But raw comparisons are useless without context. Check this 2022-23 defensive comparison:
| Player | Blocks/Game | Defensive Rating | Opponent FG% at Rim |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jaren Jackson Jr. | 3.0 | 106.3 | 47.1% |
| Bam Adebayo | 0.8 | 110.7 | 55.9% |
| Evan Mobley | 1.5 | 109.3 | 51.3% |
| Brook Lopez | 2.5 | 108.9 | 49.8% |
JJJ's rim protection stats blow others away. But flip to rebounding:
- Jackson Jr: 6.8 RPG (career high)
- Adebayo: 9.2 RPG
- Mobley: 9.0 RPG
See the trade-off? That's why debates about "best defensive big" need nuance.
Fantasy Basketball Value
For fantasy hoops junkies, JJJ's stats are a rollercoaster. In category leagues, he's gold for blocks (1st round value) but kills you in rebounds (5th round value). Points leagues? More consistent.
Key fantasy takeaways:
- Elite categories: Blocks (elite), FT% (great for big), 3PM
- Weak categories: Rebounds (below average), FG% (career 45.8%)
- Injury risk: Missed 40+ games twice in 5 seasons
- Usage: Spikes when Morant is out (+5.2 PPG without Ja)
Draft him for blocks and threes, then grab a rebounding hog like Jonas Valančiūnas later. Trust me, I've won leagues with this exact strategy.
Jaren Jackson Jr. Stats FAQs
During his 2022-23 Defensive Player of the Year campaign, JJJ averaged 18.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, and a league-leading 3.0 blocks per game while shooting 50.6% from the field. His defensive rating (106.3) ranked 3rd in the NBA.
Playoff jaren jackson jr stats show slight dips: 15.4 PPG (-3.2 from RS), 6.8 RPG (same), and 2.5 BPG (-0.5). His efficiency drops notably - FG% falls to 42% in postseason. Needs more consistency against elite competition.
Three reasons: 1) He often defends perimeter players away from the rim 2) Memphis schemes have him contesting shots instead of boxing out 3) He's naturally leaner than traditional rebounders. Still, you'd hope for better than 11.5 rebound percentage.
Yes - in 2023-24 he averaged career-high 22.5 points. What's interesting is he did it despite dropping to 32% from three. He attacked the rim more, taking 6.8 FTA/game versus 4.2 previously.
Where His Stats Could Improve
Look, as much as I love JJJ's game, his stats reveal clear growth areas:
Must-Improve Categories
- Rebounding rate: Needs to crack 8 RPG consistently
- Foul discipline: Career 3.4 fouls/game limits minutes
- Post efficiency: Should dominate mismatches more often
What drives me nuts? Seeing him grab just 2 rebounds in a half when he's clearly capable of double-digit boards. His career-high is 15 rebounds - against Charlotte in 2021. Why not every night against smaller teams?
Final Thoughts on JJJ's Statistical Profile
Studying jaren jackson jr stats reveals one of basketball's most fascinating players. Elite rim protector with guard skills who rebounds like a forward. The contradictions make him compelling.
Will he ever average 10 rebounds? Probably not with his play style. But if he maintains 20+ PPG while anchoring defenses, Memphis has their franchise cornerstone. Just stay healthy, JJJ - your stats when available are All-NBA caliber.
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