Former Michigan State star Jaren Jackson Jr. has already won the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year award once, but he's making another strong push for it this season. On Friday, it was announced that Jackson Jr.

The Memphis Grizzlies are used to Ja Morant’s needle-moving methods. His whirling dervish ways bring in fans and boost broadcast numbers. Despite missing 14 of 34 games, Morant is sitting seventh in Western Conference backcourt tallies.

Jackson was the only player in the NBA to have 20-plus steals and 20-plus blocks last month, while Mobley was tied for second in the East in contested shots per game in December.

Jaren Jackson Jr. paired 38 points with 10 rebounds and Desmond Bane added 31 points to lead the Memphis Grizzlies to a 117-112 win over the host Phoenix Suns on Tuesday.

PHOENIX (AP) — Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 38 points to lead the Memphis Grizzlies to a 117-112 victory over the Phoenix Suns Tuesday night.

The NBA today announced that Memphis Grizzlies forward/center Jaren Jackson Jr. has been named the Kia Western Conference Defensive Player of the Month for games played during December.

Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. was named NBA Western Conference Defensive Player of the Month for December, the NBA announced Thursday afternoon.