Memphis Grizzlies two-way star Jaren Jackson Jr. has been named the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year. Jackson is the second Grizzlies player to win the award in franchise history, joining Marc Gasol in 2013.

After missing the first 14 games of the season due to an offseason procedure on his foot, Jackson transformed the Grizzlies' defense and played in 63 of the last 68 games. The Grizzlies were 17th in the NBA in defensive efficiency before Jackson made his season debut on Nov. 15. They finished the season second behind the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Jackson finished fifth in last season's Defensive Player of the Year voting and earned first-team All-Defense honors. This time he beat out fellow finalists Brook Lopez (Milwaukee Bucks) and Evan Mobley (Cleveland Cavaliers).

The Grizzlies star earned 56 of 100 first-place votes. Lopez earned 31 first-place votes, and Mobley finished with eight.

Jackson's individual defense helped Memphis finished the regular season with the No. 2 rated defense in the NBA. He led the NBA in blocks for the second straight season. He also averaged one steal per game.

Jackson's 4.02 stocks per game, the combination of steals and blocks, easily paced the association. Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton finished second with 3.34 stocks per game.

This was an award that Jackson has stated that he wants multiple times. Lopez was the early season favorite after leading the NBA in blocks before Jackson caught up. Claxton and Lopez were tied for second in the NBA with 2.5 blocks per game.

Mobley stood out as a defender because of his ability to guard multiple positions and protect the rim. He had the best individual defensive rating of the three candidates.

In the end, Jackson was the best of both worlds. He was the NBA's top shot blocker, and he also was able to yield good results when he switched onto guards, forwards and centers.

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This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Grizzlies' Jaren Jackson Jr. wins Defensive Player of Year