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Home > NBA News & Analysis > Jaren Jackson Jr. Opens Up On His First Impression Of Luka Doncic

Jaren Jackson Jr. Opens Up On His First Impression Of Luka Doncic

Jaren Jackson Jr. discussed what it felt like to meet the 'mythical' Luka Doncic for the first time ahead of the 2018 NBA Draft.

Ishaan Bhattacharya
Aug 27, 2024
4 Min Read
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Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

The 2018 NBA Draft Class will be remembered as one of the best of the modern era, with two of its top players being Luka Doncic and Jaren Jackson Jr. While talking about the NBA 2K25 Ratings Reveal, Jackson Jr. discussed his first impression of Doncic before the 2018 NBA Draft and when he knew Luka would be one of the best players in the NBA. 

“Sh*t, January of the first year. I didn’t know he was, but when we got on the draft bus… It’s like your first time seeing this guy everyone’s talking about, like this myth… A month later, you’re finding out that everything else has just been insane. He looks like he’s been in the league [for] like 100 years. I mean that.”

“When he got on the draft bus… It’s like your first time seeing this guy everyone’s talking about, like this myth… Everything else has just been insane. He looks like he’s been in the league [for] like 100 years.”

Jaren Jackson Jr. on Luka Doncic 😅pic.twitter.com/rYor4OExh4

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) August 26, 2024

Doncic was drafted at No. 3 by the Hawks and traded to the Mavericks in the 2018 NBA Draft, while Jackson Jr. was selected at No. 4 by the Grizzlies. The Mavs couldn’t wait for their original No. 5 pick to draft Doncic, necessitating a draft-day trade to move up to No. 3, likely because the Grizzlies would’ve taken Doncic at No. 4 if he was available on the board.

Thankfully, the Mavs got a trade done and changed the future of the franchise. Jaren has been extremely impactful on the Grizzlies, having already won a Defensive Player of the Year award. He’s averaged 17.6 points and 5.5 rebounds on the Grizzlies for his career, putting up 22.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks last season in an injury-riddled year for the franchise.

Doncic has been on a generational trajectory through his first six years in the NBA, averaging 28.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 8.3 assists. The last season was easily his best individual campaign ever, winning the scoring title with a ridiculous season average of 33.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 9.8 assists while carrying the Mavericks to the NBA Finals.


The 2018 Draft Class Is Dominating The NBA

The 2018 Class also has other incredible talents such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Trae Young, Mikal Bridges, Jalen Brunson, and more, with this class likely being remembered among the greatest in the league’s history. 

Unfortunately, this class will also be remembered for the two busts atop the Draft board. Deandre Ayton went No. 1 and was hailed as a generational big man, something he’s not turned out to be, and has already been traded away by the team that drafted him, the Phoenix Suns.

One of the biggest Draft busts of the modern era also comes from this class, as Marvin Bagley went No. 2 and has already been on four teams in the NBA. 

The 2024 NBA MVP award saw three players from the 2018 Draft Class finish in the top five, with Shai and Doncic coming second and third respectively with Brunson coming in fifth. 

Trae is a multi-time All-Star while Jackson is a DPOY-winner and Bridges is a DPOY finalist. The top-end talent is incredible with plenty of solid depth pieces coming out of this draft.

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TAGGED:Dallas Mavericks ArchiveJaren Jackson Jr.Luka DoncicMemphis Grizzlies Archive
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ByIshaan Bhattacharya
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Ishaan Bhattacharya is a content manager for Fadeaway World from New Delhi, India. With his expertise in NBA content creation, Ishaan brings a wealth of experience to his role, contributing to the site's authority and reach within the basketball community. Over the last year, Ishaan has interviewed Ray Allen and Mark Tatum, while also covering the 2023 NBA Abu Dhabi Games which saw the Dallas Mavericks take on the Minnesota Timberwolves.Since joining Fadeaway World in March 2022, Ishaan Bhattacharya has become known for his unique perspective on the NBA. He consistently delivers this insight through his daily news coverage and detailed opinion pieces on the most significant topics in the league.Before his tenure at Fadeaway World, Ishaan worked in corporate communications, where he serviced prominent sports brands, including NBA India, Sports18, Amazon Prime Sports, and Royal Challengers Bangalore. This experience in strategic communications for leading sports entities has enhanced his ability to craft impactful narratives and connect with a global audience.A true MFFLer (Mavs Fan for Life, for the uninitiated), Ishaan is a massive fan of the Dallas Mavericks. When he is not upset about Jalen Brunson walking in free agency, you can see Ishaan as an avid gamer and content creator. His passion for basketball extends beyond the Mavericks, as evidenced by his thoughtfully curated NBA Mount Rushmore, featuring LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Bill Russell—each representing distinct eras and bringing their unique qualities to the game.Featured On: ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Bleacher Report, Yahoo Sports, NBA, Fox Sports, The Spun
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