Grizzlies waive Omari Johnson

The Memphis Grizzlies have waived forward Omari Johnson.

Johnson (6-9, 220) came off the bench in four games with the Grizzlies as a rookie last season and averaged 5.5 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 18.8 minutes after signing with the team on April 6. The 28-year-old Kingston, Jamaica native started the season with the Grizzlies’ NBA G League affiliate, the Memphis Hustle, where he appeared in 44 games (38 starts) and averaged 16.6 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 27.9 minutes.

Grizzlies select Jaren Jackson Jr 4th overall in 2018 NBA Draft

Memphis Grizzlies General Manager Chris Wallace last night during the 2018 NBA Draft announced that the Grizzlies selected Michigan State University freshman forward/center Jaren Jackson Jr. with the fourth overall pick in the first round and West Virginia University senior guard Jevon Carter with the 32nd overall pick in the second round.

Jackson (6-11, 242) became the second player in Big Ten history to win both Freshman and Defensive Player of the Year honors in the same season after leading the conference and ranking seventh in the nation in blocks per game (3.03) in 2017-18. The 18-year-old set an MSU single-season record with 106 blocks, and he tied the program’s single-game record with eight rejections in a win on Dec. 5, 2017 over Rutgers.

An All-Big Ten Third-Team and All-Freshman Team selection, Jackson started 34 of his 35 games with the Spartans and averaged 10.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 21.8 minutes while shooting 51.3 percent from the field, 39.6 percent from three-point range and 79.7 percent from the free throw line.

The Carmel, Indiana native, who was named a 2017 McDonald’s and Jordan Brand All-American at La Lumiere High School, is the highest-drafted Michigan State product since 1979, when Magic Johnson was selected first overall and Greg Kelser was taken fourth. Jackson’s father, Jaren Sr., enjoyed a 12-year NBA career with nine different teams, winning the 1999 NBA Championship as a member of the San Antonio Spurs.

Carter (6-2, 205) was named the 2017-18 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year and selected the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year for a second straight season after starting all 37 games and averaging 17.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 3.03 steals in 35.5 minutes for the Mountaineers. A 2017-18 Associated Press Second Team All-American, Carter ranked second in the nation in steals per game and was the only Division I player to average at least 17.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.00 steals.

A native of Oak Park, Illinois, Carter is the fourth Big 12 player and first guard to win conference Defensive Player of the Year honors twice. The 22-year-old is West Virginia’s career steals leader (330) and set single-season school records last year for assists (246) and steals (112).

In addition, Carter was named the 2017-18 Arthur Ashe Men’s Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year, CoSIDA Academic All-American of the Year and the Division I Senior CLASS Award winner.

Grizzlies sign MarShon Brooks to multi-year contract

The Memphis Grizzlies have signed guard MarShon Brooks to a multi-year contract.

According to the Memphis Commercial Appeal, “Brooks will sign for the remainder of the season and return to the Grizzlies for the 2018-19 campaign with a fully guaranteed deal, Yahoo Sports reported.”

Brooks signed a 10-day contract with the Grizzlies on March 27.

Brooks (6-5, 200) has appeared in three games as a reserve for the Grizzlies and has averaged 23.3 points, 2.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.67 steals in 25.3 minutes while shooting 57.1 percent from the field, 64.7 percent from three-point range and 84.6 percent from the free throw line. Brooks has recorded the most points (70) in franchise history of any player in his first three games with the team and is just the second Grizzlies player to average at least 20 points per game in his first three contests (Lorenzen Wright in 2001-02).

The 29-year-old led Memphis with 21 points in 21 minutes in his season debut on March 27, a 108-103 victory over Portland, his first NBA game in nearly four years (April 16, 2014). He then scored 24 points in 18 minutes on March 30 at Utah and a season-high 25 points in 36 minutes on April 4 at New Orleans. Brooks is the first player in franchise history to score at least 20 points in his first three games with the club; no other Grizzlies player had scored at least 20 points in his first two games with the team.

Before signing a 10-day contract with the Grizzlies, Brooks starred for three seasons with the Jiangsu Dragons of the Chinese Basketball Association, where he appeared in 36 games (28 starts) during the 2017-18 season and averaged 36.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 2.00 steals in 37.6 minutes while leading the team to a 26-12 regular season record.

Selected with the 25th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft following a four-year collegiate career at Providence, Brooks has appeared in 167 regular season games (49 starts) during his three-year NBA career and has averaged 8.0 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 17.7 minutes for the New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, Golden State Warriors and Memphis Grizzlies. He was named to the 2011-12 NBA All-Rookie Team with the Nets. The Long Branch, New Jersey native also has played in the NBA G League for the Maine Red Claws and Santa Cruz Warriors and has competed internationally for Emporio Armani Milano in the Italian Lega Basket Serie A.

Grizzlies sign Omari Johnson, waive Marquis Teague

The Memphis Grizzlies today signed forward Omari Johnson to a multi-year contract. In addition, the team waived guard Marquis Teague.

Johnson (6-9, 220) started 38 of his 44 appearances this season with the Grizzlies’ NBA G League affiliate, the Memphis Hustle, and averaged 16.6 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 27.9 minutes while shooting 46.0 percent from the field, 41.7 percent from three-point range (136-326 3P) and 82.4 percent from the free throw line. He owned the G League’s highest three-point percentage among players with at least 300 three-point field goal attempts.

The 28-year-old Kingston, Jamaica native also has played in the G League for the Maine Red Claws (2014-16) and internationally for the Mississauga Power (2011-12) and Island Storm (2012-13) of the Canadian NBL, C.B. Valladolid (2013-14) of the Spanish ACB and Neptunas (2016-17) of the Lithuanian LKL. He went unselected in the 2011 NBA Draft following his senior season at Oregon State University.

Teague (6-2, 180) appeared in three games as a reserve and averaged 3.7 points, 2.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.33 steals in 24.7 minutes for the Grizzlies after signing a 10-day contract as a Call-Up from the Hustle on March 24 and re-signing with the Grizzlies on April 3. He started all 47 of his games with the Hustle and averaged 17.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 6.1 assists in 26.5 minutes.

Selected in the first round (29th overall) of the 2012 NBA Draft following his freshman year at the University of Kentucky, Teague has appeared in 91 regular season games (three starts) during his three-year NBA career and has averaged 2.4 points, 1.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 10.0 minutes for the Chicago Bulls, Brooklyn Nets and Memphis Grizzlies. The Indianapolis, Indiana native has appeared in 161 G League games (125 starts) and has averaged 15.6 points, 2.7 rebounds and 5.7 assists in 30.8 minutes for the Iowa Energy, Oklahoma City Blue, Fort Wayne Mad Ants and Memphis Hustle.

Grizzlies sign Marquis Teague for remainder of season

The Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday signed guard Marquis Teague for the remainder of the season.

Teague signed a 10-day contract with the Grizzlies on March 24 as a Call-Up from the Memphis Hustle, the team’s NBA G League affiliate.

Teague (6-2, 180) has appeared in two games as a reserve for the Grizzlies and averaged 4.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.00 steals in 26.5 minutes. The 25-year-old started all 47 of his games with the Hustle and averaged 17.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 6.1 assists in 32.5 minutes, leading the team in total points, total assists and free throws made and attempted during its inaugural season in the G League.

Selected in the first round (29th overall) of the 2012 NBA Draft following his freshman year at the University of Kentucky, Teague has appeared in 90 regular season games (three starts) during his three-year NBA career and has averaged 2.4 points, 1.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 9.9 minutes for the Chicago Bulls, Brooklyn Nets and Memphis Grizzlies. The Indianapolis, Indiana native has appeared in 161 G League games (125 starts) and has averaged 15.6 points, 2.7 rebounds and 5.7 assists in 30.8 minutes for the Iowa Energy, Oklahoma City Blue, Fort Wayne Mad Ants and Memphis Hustle.

Grizzlies sign MarShon Brooks to a 10-day contract, and waive Brice Johnson

Memphis Grizzlies General Manager Chris Wallace today announced the team signed guard MarShon Brooks to a 10-day contract. In addition, the team waived forward Brice Johnson.

Brooks (6-5, 200) recently completed his third season with the Jiangsu Dragons of the Chinese Basketball Association. The 29-year-old started 28 of his 36 games and averaged 36.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 2.00 steals in 37.6 minutes while shooting 51.0 percent from the field, 40.7 percent from three-point range and 80.7 percent from the free throw line in leading the Dragons to a 26-12 regular season record. He has averaged at least 35 points per game in all three of his seasons with the Dragons.

Selected with the 25th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft following a four-year collegiate career at Providence, Brooks has appeared in 164 regular season games (49 starts) during his three-year NBA career and has averaged 7.7 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 17.5 minutes for the New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets (2011-13), Los Angeles Lakers (2013-14), Boston Celtics (2013-14) and Golden State Warriors (2013-14). He was named to the 2011-12 NBA All-Rookie Second Team.

The Long Branch, New Jersey native also has played in the NBA G League for the Maine Red Claws (2013-14) and Santa Cruz Warriors (2013-14) and internationally for Emporio Armani Milano (2014-15) in the Italian Lega Basket Serie A.

Johnson (6-10, 230) has appeared in 21 games as a reserve during his two-year NBA career with the Los Angeles Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies and has averaged 2.2 points and 1.6 rebounds in 5.1 minutes. The 23-year-old University of North Carolina product made nine appearances off the bench for the Grizzlies after he was acquired from the Detroit Pistons on Feb. 8.

Grizzlies sign Marquis Teague to 10-day contract

The Memphis Grizzlies signed guard Marquis Teague to a 10-day contract today. The move is a “Call-Up” from the NBA G League’s Memphis Hustle.

Teague (6-2, 180) started in all 47 of his games with the Hustle this season and averaged 17.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 6.1 assists in 32.5 minutes while shooting 45.5 percent from the field, 42.7 percent from three-point range and 78.2 percent from the free throw line. He has led the Hustle in total points, total assists and free throws made and attempted during the team’s inaugural season in the G League. In the month of March, Teague averaged 22.7 points, 3.0 rebounds and 7.8 assists in 34.7 minutes for the Hustle.

Selected in the first round (29th overall) of the 2012 NBA Draft following his freshman year at the University of Kentucky, Teague has appeared in 88 regular season games (three starts) during his two-year NBA career and has averaged 2.3 points, 1.0 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 9.5 minutes for the Chicago Bulls and Brooklyn Nets. The 25-year-old has appeared in 161 G League games (125 starts) and has averaged 15.6 points, 2.7 rebounds and 5.7 assists in 30.8 minutes for the Iowa Energy, Oklahoma City Blue, Fort Wayne Mad Ants and Memphis Hustle.

The Indianapolis, Indiana native also has played internationally for Ironi Nahariya in Israel (2016) and BC Avtodor Saratov in Russia (2016-17).

Grizzlies sign Briante Weber to 10-day contract

The Memphis Grizzlies have signed guard Briante Weber (pronunciation: bree-AHN-tay WEB-ber) to a 10-day contract as a Call-Up from the NBA G League’s Sioux Falls Skyforce. In addition, the team waived guard Xavier Rathan-Mayes (X-avier RUH-tan Mays).

Weber (6-2, 165) began this season as a two-way player for the Houston Rockets and Rio Grande Valley Vipers. He came off the bench in all 13 of his appearances for the Rockets and averaged 2.0 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 9.1 minutes; he started all 13 of his games with the Vipers and averaged 18.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 3.31 steals in 34.4 minutes. At the conclusion of his two-way contract, Weber entered into his third career stint with Sioux Falls where he started all 15 of his games and averaged 14.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 2.07 steals in 34.4 minutes.

A three-time Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year (2013, 2014, 2015) at Virginia Commonwealth University, Weber has appeared in 40 regular season games during his three-year NBA career and has averaged 3.0 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 12.3 minutes for the Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Charlotte Hornets, Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets after he was unselected in the 2015 NBA Draft. The 25-year-old began his NBA career with Memphis during the 2015-16 season, appearing in six games (four starts) and averaging 4.8 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 27.7 minutes. He also registered two postseason appearances for Miami during his rookie season.

Weber also has appeared in 87 regular season games (68 starts) in the G League and has averaged 14.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 2.69 steals in 33.4 minutes for the Sioux Falls Skyforce and Rio Grande Valley Vipers. He was a member of the 2016 NBA G League Champion Skyforce and was named to the All-G League Second Team in 2016-17. This season, The Chesapeake, Virginia native has started all 28 games and averaged 16.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 2.64 steals in 34.4 minutes.

Rathan-Mayes (6-4, 208) appeared in five games as a reserve for Memphis and averaged 5.8 points, 1.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.20 steals in 23.6 minutes after signing a 10-day contract on March 5 as a Call-Up from the G League’s Westchester Knicks. The 23-year-old Scarborough, Ontario, Canada native has competed in 39 games (37 starts) for Westchester this season after going undrafted in the 2017 NBA Draft out of Florida State University.

Grizzlies sign Xavier Rathan-Mayes to 10-day contract

The Grizzlies signed guard Xavier Rathan-Mayes (X-avier RUH-tan Mays) to a 10-day contract today, as a Call-Up from the NBA G League’s Westchester Knicks.

Rathan-Mayes (6-4, 208) has appeared in 39 games (37 starts) for Westchester and has averaged 16.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, 7.1 assists and 2.10 steals in 35.7 minutes with 14 double-doubles and three triple-doubles. The 23-year-old Canadian native went undrafted in the 2017 NBA Draft following his junior year at Florida State University, where he was a 2017 Atlantic Coast Conference All-Defensive Team selection.

Grizzlies waive Brandan Wright

The Memphis Grizzlies waived forward/center Brandan Wright today.

According to a report from Yahoo Sports, if he clears waivers Wright intends to sign with the Rockets. That’s a great addition to the bench of an already potent team.

Wright (6-10, 235) appeared in 67 games (eight starts) over three seasons (2015-18) with the Grizzlies and averaged 6.1 points and 3.2 rebounds in 15.3 minutes. Selected with the eighth overall pick of the 2007 NBA Draft following his collegiate career at the University of North Carolina, the 30-year-old has appeared in 427 regular season games (62 starts) over 10 NBA seasons and has averaged 7.0 points and 3.6 rebounds in 16.2 minutes for the Golden State Warriors, New Jersey Nets, Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics, Phoenix Suns and Memphis Grizzlies.

The Grizzlies’ roster now stands at 16 players.