By: David Yang

The N.B.A., National Basketball Players Association, is the union for professional basketball players. Most players’ mothers don’t attend the unit meetings. However, Terri Jackson is no ordinary N.B.A. mom.

Not only is she the mother of the Memphis Grizzlies’ Jaren Jackson Jr., but she’s also the executive director for the W.N.B.A. players’ union. In February, she was invited to the N.B.A. players’ union’s winter meeting. While adding some finishing touches to the presentation she was about to deliver, Jaren Jackson was nominated as one of the union’s vice presidents, leaving Terri in shock. He later gave a short speech telling his colleagues he wanted to bridge the gap between more experienced players and younger ones like him. He felt like it was his time to take on that responsibility.

After he finished, Terri Jackson said she wanted to get up and cheer so badly. The proud feeling from seeing the maturity Jackson Jr. showed was so strong that it was hard to contain. Trying not to embarrass her 23-year-old son, she squeezed her fist tightly and kept them hidden behind her laptop. When the election was finished, she raised her arms with enjoyment.

In becoming a union vice president, Jackson Jr. extended their family tradition of being involved in player unions. His father, Jaren Jackson Sr., who played from 1989 to 2002, was also a players’ union member.

Only five years into his career, Jackson Jr. has already exceeded what his father accomplished on the basketball court. Last season, he achieved outstanding results and was named the N.B.A.’s defensive player of the year with a total of 189 blocks. He helped lead the Grizzlies to one of the best records in the Western Conference.

Terri Jackson has a family history of support for unions. She remembers vividly a story about her father, who was a lawyer, speaking for better pay for teachers at a school board meeting. “When I think about getting to be the executive director for the W players, I just, you know, I think a little bit: ‘Wow. You know, my dad would be so proud of this’ — or he is so proud,” Terri Jackson said.

Sources:

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/06/sports/basketball/basketball-players-union-jackson.html