NBA ALL-STAR MEDIA DAY

February 15, 2025

Jaren Jackson Jr.

Kenny's Young Stars

Media Day Press Conference

Q. There's been a lot of talk about making the All-Star Game more competitive. What’s your take on it? You being here a second time, what are you trying to take from this experience?

JAREN JACKSON JR.: I'll just pick up full court and go from there. A lot of talk about it. I'm sure that's, like, the hottest topic just because of the past couple years. I'm sure dudes aren't trying to lose 40-0, so I'll just pick up full court.

Q. First time going against Nikola Jokic, what went through your head, and what makes it so difficult going against a player like that?

JAREN JACKSON JR.: First time in my life?

Q. Yeah, what was going through your head, and what makes it so difficult to defend a player like that?

JAREN JACKSON JR.: Yeah, I mean, he's a multi-time MVP, great pace and patience. It's hard to double him because he's finding guys, and he's just a force. So, you have to prepare for someone like him. He's one of those guys.

Then out of nowhere if you stop all that, he's got a three-ball.

I don't remember exactly what I was thinking when I was going up against him. Just get some rest.

Q. Obviously you're a different player the second time around now. When you were younger, is this version of you the version that you sort of imagined one day would play in the NBA?

JAREN JACKSON JR.: Yeah. I mean, when I went in my yard, I liked to pretend I was, like, KD or T-Mac or Kobe, my dad. But usually I'd be playing against my dad, so maybe not my dad.

I just imagined being one of those superheroes on the court back then. I think this feeling is way better than how I imagined it, honestly. It's more meaningful. It's way more impactful, especially when you have your family with you. You don't think about all those other things and how many other people are going to be happy about this with you.

Q. Jaren, the Western Conference changed in a pretty big way a couple weeks ago when the Lakers traded Anthony Davis for Luka Doncic. Those are two teams you may see in the postseason. What was your reaction to that trade, and after the initial shock, have you checked in on those teams?

JAREN JACKSON JR.: Yeah, I watched their games for sure. They're still getting used to their players that they've traded for. You can see that there will probably be some chemistry there with AD in Dallas and those guys. He got like an alley-oop, first play, he was throwing one to Dan [Gafford].

Obviously, everyone thought the trade was fake. Everyone did. I just was double checking to make sure it was real, checking the accounts, stuff like that. Especially if you have group chats, like it's getting sent in there.

But no, I watched the Lakers play, too. They're moving the ball well.

It's definitely too early to tell, sample size, but it's two great players getting traded for each other. It's very rare.

Q. Other than the game, what's your biggest takeaway so far this weekend?

JAREN JACKSON JR.: Biggest takeaway? I just saw my dad out there. He was hyped. He was with my uncle. My uncle is in, so that was dope. My mom, I've been seeing her at my appearances, so that's been dope, and my friends are here.

It's a party. I think that's the takeaway is, it's nice to see everybody smiling. It's nice to see everybody just enjoying their time out here. It's huge. It's huge.

Q. Jaylen [Wells] said he wants to dunk on you now that he's playing on Sunday. One, what was it like for you to see Jaylen win the Rising Stars with you sitting right beside him? Two, they're [Wells and fellow rookie Zach Edey] looking forward to playing against you potentially. Do you have the same interest in potentially playing against them, as well?

JAREN JACKSON JR.: Yeah. I want to dunk on both of them, for sure. I can't wait. I want to -- as soon as they won the game, I definitely said, I have my eyes on y'all. I'm watching y'all. So, I got them.

Q. What's the greatest NBA Twitter meme of all time?

JAREN JACKSON JR.: The greatest NBA Twitter meme of all time? Probably Vince Carter with the "I got one more." That's the best. If it's used correctly, unbeatable.

I saw Vince the other day, I really should have said that right there when I saw him, when I dapped him up. Like, yeah, man, this game is -- I got one more. I got one more in me. That's the greatest one.