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Michigan State Basketball: Jaren Jackson Jr. flashes stardom in NBA debut

By Connor Muldowney

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 20: NBA Draft Prospect Jaren Jackson Jr. speaks to the media before the 2018 NBA Draft at the Grand Hyatt New York Grand Central Terminal on June 20, 2018 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 20: NBA Draft Prospect Jaren Jackson Jr. speaks to the media before the 2018 NBA Draft at the Grand Hyatt New York Grand Central Terminal on June 20, 2018 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images) /
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Former Michigan State basketball star Jaren Jackson Jr. showed up and showed off in his NBA Summer League debut on Monday night.

I know, I know. Before anyone calls me out for calling Jaren Jackson Jr. a “future star”, we have to just acknowledge this was just an NBA Summer League debut.

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Still, the former Michigan State star looked like an absolute stud in his debut with the Memphis Grizzlies, leading them past the Atlanta Hawks with 29 points on 8-of-13 shooting from 3-point range.

Not only did he look like the player everyone saw at Michigan State, but he showcased some confidence, even hitting a half-court shot at the buzzer to end the first half and doing a little Steph Curry shimmy in celebration.

Jackson Jr. looked like a budding star and despite scoring just one basket inside, he impressed just about everyone.

Yes, Jackson Jr.’s absence from the second half of the second-round matchup against Syracuse in the 2018 NCAA Tournament will always haunt Spartan fans, especially when he shows out like this, but it’s always nice to see the green and white doing well in the NBA.

The rookie started alongside Deyonta Davis for the Grizzlies’ Summer League team, but clearly looked like the bigger talent. It seems as if Davis is struggling to take the reigns in the NBA — another year or two at MSU could have helped his development.

Fans on Twitter were muttering phrases like “Rookie of the Year” or “his shot is better than Steph Curry’s”, in jest, but Michigan State fans knew his potential was through the roof from day one.

Next: MSU Football: Post-spring 2018 game-by-game predictions

Man, it’s going to be fun to watch this kid grow.

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