The Memphis Grizzlies today announced that forward Zach Randolph exercised his player option for the 2014-15 season and signed a multi-year contract extension with the Grizzlies on June 30. We will add contract details to this page tonight.
Nicknamed “Z-Bo,” Randolph (6-9, 260) recently completed his fifth season in Memphis with averages of 17.4 points, 10.1 rebounds (9th in the NBA) and a career-high 2.5 assists on .467 shooting in 34.2 minutes in 79 games (all starts), guiding the team to a second consecutive 50-win season and a franchise-record fourth-straight appearance in the NBA Playoffs. Randolph led the Grizzlies in scoring average, rebounding average, total points (1,372) and total rebounds (795) for the fourth time since coming to Memphis.
This past season, Randolph tied for fourth in the NBA in double-doubles (47) and was one of seven NBA players to average at least 17 points and 10 rebounds, recording a double-double average for the seventh time in the last eight seasons and for the eighth time in his 13-year NBA career. He tallied his 190th double-double in a Grizzlies uniform on Jan. 28, 2014 at Portland, breaking the franchise record once held by Pau Gasol, and tallied his 400th career double-double on March 26, 2014 at Utah, becoming the fourth-quickest active player to reach 400 behind Tim Duncan, Dwight Howard and Kevin Garnett.
“Zach has become a cornerstone of our franchise, and his contributions have been immense not just on the court but in the Memphis community,” said Grizzlies Interim General Manager Chris Wallace. “Through that process, he’s become one of the most popular Grizzlies in the history of the organization.”
In five seasons since coming to Memphis, the 32-year-old has averaged 17.8 points, 11.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists on .480 shooting in 34.9 minutes in 339 games (317 starts). He earned All-NBA Third Team honors in 2011, his first All-NBA nod, and was named to his first two All-Star Teams in 2010 and 2013. Randolph is the first player in Grizzlies franchise history to be named to an All-NBA team and the only player to represent Memphis in multiple All-Star Games. He achieved another career first (and franchise first) when he was named Western Conference Player of the Month in January 2011.
Randolph also has shined in the postseason, averaging 18.4 points, 10.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists on .441 shooting in 37.8 minutes in 41 playoff games (all starts) for the Grizzlies. Randolph guided Memphis to its first-ever playoff win and playoff series victory, knocking off the top-seeded San Antonio Spurs in the opening round of the 2011 NBA Playoffs, and led the Grizzlies to the 2013 Western Conference Finals.
Additionally, Randolph is the Grizzlies’ all-time leader in offensive rebounds (1,309), leading the NBA in total offensive boards since joining the Grizzlies and pacing the league in the category in both the 2009-10 and 2012-13 seasons. He also ranks third in the NBA in total double-doubles (210) behind only Kevin Love and Dwight Howard.
The Marion, Ind. native has been an active member of the Memphis community and is a three-time winner of the NBA Kia Community Assist Award (December 2010, January 2013, November 2013). Committed to making a deep and meaningful impact in the lives of single mothers and children living in poverty, Randolph makes generous contributions of both time and money throughout the year to help those in need.
Randolph holds NBA career averages of 17.2 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.8 assists on .472 shooting in 32.0 minutes in 845 games (696 starts) with the Portland Trail Blazers, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies. He was drafted by Portland in the first round (19th overall) of the 2001 NBA Draft after helping lead Michigan State to the 2001 NCAA Final Four as a freshman and won the 2003-04 Most Improved Player Award after averaging 20.1 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists with the Trail Blazers.
Memphis acquired Randolph from the Los Angeles Clippers for Quentin Richardson on July 17, 2009. He signed his first contract extension with the Grizzlies on April 20, 2011.
