The Memphis Grizzlies claimed Memphis native Lester Hudson off waivers, Grizzlies General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Wallace announced Friday (January 8). Hudson was available after being waived by the Boston Celtics on Jan. 6.
“We are excited to acquire Lester Hudson off waivers,” Wallace said. “Lester is a player we thought of highly in the pre-draft process. He earned favorable reviews for his performance during his brief time with the Celtics. He is an athletic, tough combo guard who was one of the most prolific scorers in college basketball over his two years at the University of Tennessee at Martin. It is a wonderful day for the Grizzlies to be able to bring this Memphian back home to continue his NBA career.”
The 6-3, 190-pound rookie guard averaged 1.4 points and 0.5 assists in 4.4 minutes in 16 appearances this season with the Celtics, who selected him in the second round (58th overall) of the 2009 NBA Draft. Boston also assigned Hudson to two different stints with their NBA Development League affiliate, the Maine Red Claws, where the 25-year-old posted 14.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 28.0 minutes in five games.
One of the most explosive scorers in the NCAA in recent years, Hudson ranked second in the nation in scoring in 2008-09 behind current Golden State Warriors rookie Stephen Curry, averaging 27.5 points as well as 7.9 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2.34 steals in his senior season with the University of Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks. In his junior year, Hudson became the first men’s player in Division I history to record a quadruple-double with 25 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists and 10 steals on Nov. 13, 2007 vs. Central Baptist College.
The native Memphian transferred to UT-Martin after playing his first two seasons at Southwest Tennessee Community College in Memphis.
The Grizzlies’ roster now stands at 14 players.
The Griz are adding an additional piece to the puzzle without giving up any goods. I am excited to see the Grizzlies blossom into a contender. Marc Gasol was an underrated asset that the Lakers just through into the transaction for laughs. I bet they are second guessing their decision to include Marc instead of the Chinese Guard they let go last year. People should be tipping their hat to General Manager for stealing such a prize without having to pay taxes on Paul Gasol Contract. It looks like in my opinion the Grizzlies pooled the wool over the eyes of the Lakers. I bet in two or three years Marc Gasol will exceed his brother as being one of the best low players in the league. He is a better passer which makes him very skillful and his IQ for the game will continue to grow. The young Grizzlies are bound for glory if they can keep their young nucleus together and also take advantage of being under the cap each year. They have a game plan like the Oklahoma Thunder which is utilize the draft and take advantage of teams who possess hefty contracts. I love watching how Chris Wallace and Sam Presti build their teams and have an abundance of picks in the future.