GG Jackson’s start to his NBA career has been a tale of being ready for when an opportunity arrives and then seizing it with both hands. After starting his 2023 rookie season with the Memphis Hustle in the NBA G League, he was recalled to the Grizzlies after extensive injuries to the team’s roster. And boy, did he manage to mesmerise everyone with his displays! 

He scored 35 points against the Golden State Warriors in March 2024. This made him the youngest player in NBA history to make seven threes in a game — that too against Steph Curry’s team!

Did you know GG is also the youngest player in the NBA ever to score 40 points and get 10 rebounds in a game? Yes, that happened on a career night against the Denver Nuggets in 2024, when he scored 44 points and had 12 rebounds.

What a dramatic entrance into the league!

With such powerful performances on the court, it is easy to forget he is just 20 years old. For such a young guy making his name in a league of big boys, it’s safe to say his attitude and level-headedness must stem from the teachings of his childhood at home.

Who Are GG Jackson’s Parents? What’s Their Nationality?

Gregory “GG” Jackson II was born in Columbia, South Carolina, to Gregory Jackson and LaKeysha Alston. Like GG’s nationality, both his parents are American as well. Fun fact: they both have an athletic background, which explains GG’s athletic gifts.

Who Is GG Jackson’s Father, Gregoy? What Does He Do?

GG’s father, Gregory Jackson, is a pastor in a church. During his high school days, Gregory used to play as a defensive end. GG’s faith is a very big part of his life, and now we know where he gets his sporting gifts and religious faith from. 

For GG, his spirituality runs deep, and it is a big part of how he conducts himself every day. He is also vocal and proud of his religious beliefs, with his Instagram bio being “Blessed is a understatement ✝️”.

But did you know, other than his basketball skills, he has one more skill hidden up his sleeve? He can play the drums! In fact, he has been playing drums since he was 2. And even after making it to the NBA, he still plays in his hometown church band, and his father is the pastor of the same church.

It shows how GG hasn’t forgotten where he comes from and still finds time for his family, congregation, and community despite the fast-paced life of an NBA player. His humility probably prepared him for the dark side of being an athlete after a series of highs.

A broken fifth metatarsal in his right foot derailed GG Jackson’s start to the 2024-25 season. Just when he thought it was all over, his season debut was further delayed by more than a month in December 2024 because of recovery issues. He did not let the setbacks demotivate him, and he made his first appearance of the season against the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 21, 2025.

It was devastating for such a young player to have an excellent start to his NBA career and then have a serious injury before starting his second season. But, because of his faith in god and his parents’ unwavering support, he had the grit and determination required to pull through this tough period. Talking about his parents, his father is not the only one to have passed down athletic genes to him.

Who Is GG Jackson’s Mother, LaKeysha Alston?

GG’s mother, LaKeysha Alston, was a track star during her school days and is, no doubt, his biggest supporter along with his dad. Both LaKeysha and Gregory are always seen sitting courtside during his games and cheering him on. This kind of relentless support and encouragement must have helped him produce those big numbers in his debut season.

Even though GG Jackson is starting to make a big name for himself in the league, at home, a mom is a mom, right?

During an interview on FanDuel TV’s Run It Back last May, Lou Williams asked the Grizzlies power forward if he was pinched by Giannis Antetokounmpo during a game. He said, “I was” before whispering, “Excuse me, I gotta check my mama, I gotta check my mama.” He then checked the room like the teenage kid he was back then, before saying, “I was busting his a**!”

It is so wholesome to see the rising star checking if his mother was not around before swearing on live TV. Also, GG being scared of his mother berating him for swearing shows the deep connection and respect he has for her. This kind of family bond and all-around support will help him on his NBA journey. Interestingly, everyone in the family has an athletic background, not just him and his parents!

Who Are GG Jackson’s Brothers and Sisters?

GG Jackson has an elder sister, Nyla. She plays college basketball at the University of South Carolina. Not much is known about her, but the sibling rivalry as basketball players must push GG Jackson every day. Because they both chose basketball, they share a common bond, which deepens their relationship even further. 

With a loving family behind him, GG Jackson will be looking to build on the exciting first two seasons of his career with the Grizzlies. He has another connection with the franchise other than being a basketball player, though. Ja Morant’s father, Tee Morant, used to cut GG’s hair for a few years when he was around 5 years old! Yes, you read that right. And oh, his grandmother used to live about five minutes from the barbershop.

From that period of his life to when he was drafted on the same team as Ja, it must’ve felt like this was meant to be. Off the court, he has a supportive family. And on the court, he has a teammate and elder brother to guide him on the various paths of the NBA world.

Maybe it’s all written for GG Jackson to be a successful basketball player.