Rookie NBA Forward’s Road to Recovery: What to Expect After Surgery

GG Jackson II, the promising Memphis Grizzlies forward, had an impressive rookie season despite the team’s struggles. Standing at 6-foot-9, Jackson emerged as one of the few bright spots for a Memphis squad that was hit hard by injuries and suspensions, falling short of their previous successful seasons.

Selected 45th overall from South Carolina, Jackson took full advantage of the opportunity created by the Grizzlies’ injury crisis. In 48 games played (with 18 starts), he averaged 14.6 points while shooting at .428/.357/.752, along with 4.1 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and contributing on defense with 0.6 steals and 0.5 blocks per game. His solid performance earned him a place on the 2024 All-Rookie Second Team.

However, Jackson’s offseason took a hit when he broke his right foot during a training session in August. Following surgery on September 5, he faces a lengthy recovery period. He’s set to be re-evaluated three months post-surgery, which could postpone his return to the court as the Grizzlies aim to reclaim their position in the Western Conference.

To get insights on his recovery timeline, Damichael Cole from The Memphis Commercial Appeal consulted with Dr. Kenneth Jung, an orthopedic foot and ankle specialist. He indicated that the bone needs a healing period of six to eight weeks, likely pushing Jackson’s comeback past the start of the 2024-25 regular season.

Dr. Jung emphasized the importance of allowing the bone to heal before jumping into rehab, comparing it to “waiting for the paint to dry.” He mentioned that while the three-month recovery frame is conservative, there’s potential for Jackson to return sooner if things go well.

One key point for Jackson during recovery is to avoid overdoing workouts too soon, especially with weight-bearing exercises. Dr. Jung assured that this isn’t a career-threatening injury and believes that once healed, Jackson should be able to return to full action, especially considering his young age.

Stay tuned: Ja Morant Has a Message for His Grizzlies Co-Star Approaching Free Agency.