Memphis Grizzlies Blog – Page 21 – NBA Blog

Grizzlies sign rookie Ivan Rabb

The Memphis Grizzlies have signed 2017 second round draft pick Ivan Rabb.

Rabb (6-10, 220), selected 35th overall by the Orlando Magic and traded to the Grizzlies for a future second round draft pick, appeared in 31 games (30 starts) and averaged 14.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.00 blocks in 32.6 minutes last season as a sophomore at the University of California. The 20-year-old was named All-Pac 12 First Team after leading the Pac-12 in rebounding both overall and in conference play (11.4 rebounds) and also was one of 10 finalists for the Karl Malone Award, given by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame to the nation’s top collegiate power forward.

A two-time All-Pac-12 selection, Rabb appeared in 65 games (64 starts) over his two-year career at California and averaged 13.2 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.12 blocks in 30.6 minutes while ranking among the Top 10 in Golden Bears history in rebounding average, field goal percentage and blocked shots (73). He was named a 2015 McDonald’s All-American at Bishop O’Dowd High School in Oakland, California.

Grizzlies sign Vince Hunter

Memphis Grizzlies General Manager Chris Wallace today announced that the team has signed forward Vince Hunter.

Hunter (6-8, 208) appeared in 26 games (16 starts) for Avtodor Saratov of Russia’s VTB United League during the 2016-17 season and averaged 14.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.35 steals and 1.31 blocks in 26.0 minutes per game. Hunter competed in four games during the 2016 NBA Preseason with the Grizzlies and recorded 8.8 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 19.4 minutes per game and has played for the Grizzlies Summer League team in Las Vegas each of the last two years. Undrafted in the 2015 NBA Draft, the University of Texas-El Paso product has also played professionally in Greece (Panathinaikos), Romania (BCM U Pitesti) and the NBA G League (Reno Bighorns).

Ben McLemore out 12 weeks with foot injury

According to Memphis Grizzlies General Manager Chris Wallace, guard Ben McLemore has been diagnosed with a non-displaced fracture of the fifth metatarsal in his right foot. McLemore had surgery today, and will be out for an estimated 12 weeks.

He is expected to make a full recovery, the Kings say.

McLemore’s injury occurred when he landed on another player’s foot after driving to the basket during a pick-up game in Los Angeles.

Grizzlies sign second rounder Dillon Brooks

Memphis Grizzlies General Manager Chris Wallace announced yesterday (Friday) that the Grizzlies signed 2017 second round draft pick Dillon Brooks.

Brooks (6-6, 220), selected 45th overall pick by the Houston Rockets and traded to the Grizzlies for a future second round draft pick, appeared in 35 games (27 starts) and averaged 16.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.09 steals in 25.3 minutes last season as a junior at the University of Oregon. The 21-year-old, who led the Ducks to their first Final Four since 1939, was named the 2017 Pac-12 Player of the Year and earned All-Pac 12 First Team and All-America First Team honors from USA Today. In addition, Brooks also was one of five finalists for the Julius Erving Award, given by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame to the nation’s top collegiate small forward.

The Mississauga, Canada native appeared in 109 games (98 starts) over his three-year career at Oregon and averaged 14.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 28.9 minutes.

Grizzlies sign Mario Chalmers

Memphis Grizzlies General Manager Chris Wallace today announced that the team signed guard Mario Chalmers.

Chalmers (6-2, 190) has appeared in 580 games (390 starts) and averaged 9.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.50 steals in 27.3 minutes over his eight-year NBA career with the Miami Heat and Memphis Grizzlies. The 31-year-old was the starting point guard for back-to-back NBA Championship teams in Miami, where he played for current Grizzlies head coach David Fizdale who was then an assistant coach for the Heat.

The Anchorage, Alaska native last played during the 2015-16 season, appearing in 55 games (seven starts) and averaging 10.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.45 steals in 22.8 minutes for the Grizzlies before sustaining a ruptured right Achilles tendon on March 7, 2016.

Chalmers was selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round (34th overall) of the 2008 NBA Draft following his junior season at the University of Kansas where he led the Jayhawks to the 2008 NCAA Championship and was named the 2008 NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player. He is one of 44 players who have won both an NCAA Championship and an NBA title.

Grizzlies sign forward Rade Zagorac

Memphis Grizzlies General Manager Chris Wallace today announced that the team signed forward Rade Zagorac (RAH-day ZAH-go-rahtz).

Zagorac (6-9, 205), who has played professionally in his native Serbia since 2011, appeared in 26 games (23 starts) for KK Mega Leks in the Liga ABA and averaged 15.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.38 steals in 29.4 minutes last season. He also competed in 12 games (11 starts) in Serbian BCL play and averaged 12.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.83 steals in 29.5 minutes.

Born in Belgrade, Serbia, the 21-year-old was selected by the Boston Celtics in the second round (35th overall) of the 2016 NBA Draft after he was named the 2015-16 Liga ABA MVP with KK Mega Leks. His draft rights were traded by the Celtics on draft night along with the draft rights to Deyonta Davis (31st overall) to Memphis for a 2019 first round draft pick.

Grizzlies sign Tyreke Evans

Memphis Grizzlies General Manager Chris Wallace today announced that the team signed guard Tyreke Evans.

“We are excited for Tyreke Evans to return to the city of Memphis and FedExForum, where he enjoyed so much success as a member of the Memphis Tigers,” Wallace said. “Tyreke has proven his talent throughout his NBA career as both a scorer and playmaker, and we are pleased to add a player of his versatility to the Grizzlies.”

According to the Memphis Commercial Appeal, “if Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace had autonomy in 2009 he would have selected Tyreke Evans in the NBA draft. Wallace never gave up on the versatile guard. Evans and the Grizzlies agreed Friday to a one-year, $3.3 million contract, a league source told The Commercial Appeal.”

Evans (6-6, 220) has appeared in 473 games (376 starts) and averaged 16.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.30 steals in 32.2 minutes over his eight-year NBA career with the Sacramento Kings and New Orleans Pelicans. He owns career shooting percentages of 44.4 percent from the field, 29.5 percent from three-point range and 75.7 percent from the free throw line.

The 27-year-old was named the 2009-10 NBA Rookie of the Year after averaging 20.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 1.51 steals in 37.2 minutes for the Kings in his first professional season. He is one of just 11 NBA players to amass at least 7,000 points, 2,000 rebounds, 2,000 assists and 600 steals since he joined the league.

A native of Chester, Pa., Evans was selected with the fourth overall pick of the 2009 NBA Draft after his freshman season at the University of Memphis, where he was named the National Freshman of the Year by the United States Basketball Writers Association and averaged 17.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.08 steals in 29.0 minutes in 37 games (34 starts) for the Tigers.

Grizzlies sign Ben McLemore

Memphis Grizzlies General Manager Chris Wallace today announced that the team signed guard Ben McLemore to a multi-year contract.

Per multiple reports, the contract is a two-year, $10.7 million deal.

“We want to welcome Ben McLemore to the Grizzlies organization,” Wallace said. “Ben brings tremendous athleticism, significant upside and a tireless work ethic to our franchise, while adding more outside shooting to our rotation. We are confident he will continue his development as a player and thrive under head coach David Fizdale and his staff.”

McLemore (6-5, 195) has appeared in 293 games (216 starts) and averaged 9.4 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 25.5 minutes over a four-year NBA career with the Sacramento Kings. He owns career shooting percentages of 41.7 percent from the field, 35.2 percent from three-point range and 78.0 percent from the free throw line. Last season, the 24-year-old competed in 61 games (26 starts) and averaged 8.1 points and 2.1 rebounds in 19.3 minutes while shooting a career-high 38.2 percent from three-point range.

The St. Louis native was selected with the seventh overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft following his freshman season at the University of Kansas, where he set the Jayhawks’ freshman record for scoring average (15.9 points) and was named First Team All-Big 12 and Second Team All-America by The Associated Press, National Basketball Coaches Association and United States Basketball Writers Association.

Tony Allen named to All-Defensive Second Team

Memphis Grizzlies guard Tony Allen has been named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team for the 2016-17 season, the NBA announced today. This marks the sixth career All-Defensive selection for Allen, who previously received First Team honors in 2014-15, 2012-13 and 2011-12 and Second Team honors in 2015-16 and 2010-11. Allen has now been recognized on the NBA All-Defensive Teams six times in his seven seasons with the Grizzlies.

Allen (6-4, 213) appeared in 71 games (66 starts) for Memphis this season, averaging 9.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists and a team-leading 1.62 steals in 27.0 minutes per game. The 35-year-old led the league in steal percentage (3.1), his second time to lead the league in the category (4.1 in 2014-15).

As in past seasons, Allen ranked among the elite perimeter defenders in ESPN’s Defensive Real Plus-Minus (DRPM) stat, finishing second among shooting guards: Andre Roberson (2.64), Allen (2.15), Jimmy Butler (1.80), Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (1.78) and Danny Green (1.71).

Greg Monroe, Nick Young and D`Angelo Russell fined by NBA

Milwaukee Bucks center Greg Monroe has been fined $35,000 for shoving Los Angeles Lakers guard/forward Nick Young above the shoulders, it was announced today by Kiki VanDeWeghe, Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.

Young has been fined $25,000 for initiating the altercation by shoving Bucks guard Malcolm Brogdon.

Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell has been fined $15,000 for entering the altercation and pushing Monroe.

The incident, for which all three were assessed technical fouls and ejected, occurred with 36 seconds remaining in the third quarter of the Bucks’ 107-103 win over the Lakers at Staples Center on March 17.