Memphis, Tenn. – The NBA announced today that Memphis Grizzlies forward/center Jaren Jackson Jr. has been named the Kia Western Conference Defensive Player of the Month for games played in December. This marks his first monthly defensive honor since the award's inception.
During December, Jackson Jr. totaled 23 steals and 22 blocks in 14 games, helping the Grizzlies secure a 10-4 record (second in the Western Conference). He was the only player in the league to record at least 20 steals and 20 blocks.
Jackson Jr. held opponents to a 9.4 percent lower field goal percentage when defended, which was the best defensive field goal percentage differential in the league. Opponents shot just 40.2 percent against him in December.
In addition to his stellar defensive performance, Jackson Jr. led the league's highest-scoring team during December, averaging 22.0 points in 28.7 minutes. The Grizzlies set a franchise single-month record by scoring 126.5 points per game.