Memphis Grizzlies forward/center Jaren Jackson Jr. was named to the 2021-22 Kia NBA All-Defensive First Team, the NBA announced today. This is the first career All-Defensive Team honor for Jackson Jr., who becomes the second player in franchise history to be selected to the All-Defensive First Team.
Jackson Jr. (6-11, 242) led the NBA, set career highs and established single-season franchise records for total blocks (177) and blocks per game (2.27) in his fourth NBA season. He also set a career best with 73 steals and paced all NBA players in combined steals and blocks (250), helping the Grizzlies become the third NBA team since the start of the 1982-83 season to lead the league in both steals and blocks.