Grizzlies

Grizzlies Gear Up for 2021 Summer League

on

The Memphis Grizzlies are back in Las Vegas to defend their summer league crown.

They will be without former SLMVP Brandon Clarke, but are still loaded with young talent. Let’s take a look at the Grizzlies roster as well as some players to watch for as their opponents.

The 2021 NBA Draft didn’t go as expected within the fanbase. The Grizzlies front office decided to take a big swing in drafting Ziaire Williams while jumping back into the first round and drafting Santi Aldama. Summer League will be our first look as these players in a Memphis jersey, so there will be a lot of interest in these games.

Summer League features all 30 NBA teams playing five games each. After every team plays four games, the two teams with the best records from the first four games will meet in the Championship Game on Tuesday, Aug. 17 at 8 p.m. on ESPN. If the Grizzlies do not finish with a top-two record, they will then play another game on Aug. 16 or 17 decided by various factors, including team rivalries, broadcast interest and other scheduling considerations

 

NBA Summer League Breakdown

Date Opponent Tip-off (CT)
Monday, August 9 Brooklyn Nets 4:00 p.m. on ESPN2
Wednesday, August 11 Miami Heat 4:00 p.m. on NBA TV
Friday, August 13 Sacramento Kings 8:00 p.m. on ESPNU
Sunday, August 15 Chicago Bulls 9:00 p.m. on NBA TV

 

Brooklyn Nets

PLAYER # POS HT WT BIRTHDATE AGE EXP SCHOOL
Reggie Perry 0 F 6-8 250 lbs MAR 21, 2000 21 1 Mississippi State
Cam Thomas 8 G 6-4 210 lbs OCT 13, 2001 19 R Louisiana State
Kessler Edwards 14 F 6-8 215 lbs AUG 09, 2000 20 R Pepperdine
Marcus Zegarowski 17 G 6-2 181 lbs AUG 03, 1998 23 R Creighton
David Duke 20 G 6-5 205 lbs OCT 13, 1999 21 R Providence
Day’Ron Sharpe 21 C 6-11 265 lbs NOV 06, 2001 19 R North Carolina
Jordan Bowden 22 G 6-5 193 lbs JAN 20, 1997 24 R Tennessee
Alize Johnson 24 F 6-7 212 lbs APR 22, 1996 25 3 Missouri State
Brandon Knight 27 G 6-2 182 lbs DEC 02, 1991 29 8 Kentucky
Chris Silva 30 F 6-8 234 lbs SEP 19, 1996 24 2 South Carolina
Kaiser Gates 31 F 6-7 225 lbs NOV 08, 1996 24 R Xavier
RaiQuan Gray 34 F 6-8 260 lbs JUL 07, 1999 22 R Florida State
Quinndary Weatherspoon 35 G 6-3 205 lbs SEP 10, 1996 24 2 Mississippi State
Brandon Rachal 40 G 6-6 220 lbs SEP 30, 1999 21 R Tulsa

 

Cam Thomas

W A L K I N G   B U C K E T !

Thomas was the player I wanted the Grizzlies to go after at pick 17 before the trade. He will get up a bunch of shots and is considered a volume shooter. Summer League could be his playground if his shot is dialed in. There may be a flood of threes between Desmond Bane and Thomas in this game.

Day’Ron Sharpe

Sharpe is a legit back-to-the-basket center with his low-post execution as his biggest strength. He is also a very good rebounder with shot-blocking ability. He does, however, struggle with his outside game both offensively and defensively. Xavier Tillman will have his hands full with him, but will also have a good chance to show just how dominant he can be in his second year.

Kessler Edwards

Edwards was a draft darling in the second round of many mock-draft experts. He doesn’t wow you in any aspect of his game, but he is a player that can help you win games. Summer League will be a great spot for Edwards to show the influence he has on his team on the court. If I’m looking for a guy who’s going to do a little bit of everything for Memphis, then I’m looking at John Konchar.

Miami Heat

PLAYER # POS HT WT BIRTHDATE AGE EXP SCHOOL
Gabe Vincent 2 G 6-3 195 lbs JUN 14, 1996 25 2 California-Santa Barbara
KZ Okpala 11 F 6-8 215 lbs APR 28, 1999 22 2 Stanford
Max Strus 31 G-F 6-5 220 lbs MAR 28, 1996 25 2 DePaul
Javonte Smart 50 G 6-4 205 lbs JUN 03, 1999 22 R Louisiana State
Marcus Garrett 51 G 6-5 205 lbs NOV 09, 1998 22 R Kansas
DeJon Jarreau 53 G 6-5 185 lbs JAN 23, 1998 23 R Houston
Dru Smith 54 G 6-3 200 lbs DEC 30, 1997 23 R Missouri
Tyson Carter 57 G 6-4 175 lbs JAN 14, 1998 23 R Mississippi State
A.J. Lawson 58 G 6-6 180 lbs JUL 15, 2000 21 R South Carolina
R.J. Nembhard 59 G 6-5 200 lbs MAR 22, 1999 22 R Texas Christian
D.J. Stewart Jr. 60 G-F 6-6 205 lbs JUL 28, 1999 22 R Mississippi State
Justin Smith 61 F 6-7 230 lbs MAR 01, 1999 22 R Arkansas
Micah Potter 65 F-C 6-10 250 lbs APR 06, 1998 23 R Wisconsin
Omer Yurtseven 77 C 7-0 265 lbs JUN 19, 1998 23 R Georgetown


 

Omer Yurtseven

Yurtseven looked good in his Utah Summer League debut. His has length, size and scoring potential around the basket. His offense is his strength, so if he can develop his defense he will have a good shot at getting real minutes during the regular season. Yurtseven, Gabe Vincent, Max Strus and KZ Okpala are the only real players on this Heat roster, so expect them to carry the load. Nonetheless, Killian Tillie and Xavier Tillman will have their hands full in his game.

Sacramento Kings

PLAYER # POS HT WT BIRTHDATE AGE EXP SCHOOL
Jahmi’us Ramsey 3 G 6-2 195 lbs JUN 09, 2001 20 R Texas Tech
Robert Woodard II 13 F 6-7 235 lbs SEP 22, 1999 21 1 Mississippi State
Davion Mitchell 15 G 6-2 205 lbs SEP 05, 1998 22 R Baylor
Ade Murkey 17 G 6-5 200 lbs JAN 29, 1998 23 R Iowa Wolves
Louis King 23 F 6-7 205 lbs APR 06, 1999 22 1 Oregon
Chimezie Metu 25 F 6-9 225 lbs MAR 22, 1997 24 3 Southern California
Emanuel Terry 26 F 6-9 220 lbs AUG 21, 1996 24 1 Agua Caliente
Marcus Graves 31 G 6-1 187 lbs JUN 09, 1996 25 R Salt Lake City Stars
DJ Steward 32 G 6-2 163 lbs OCT 02, 2001 19 R Duke
Damien Jefferson 33 F 6-5 220 lbs OCT 03, 1997 23 R Creighton
Matt Coleman 34 G 6-2 180 lbs JAN 22, 1998 23 R Texas
Johnathan Williams 41 F 6-9 228 lbs MAY 22, 1995 26 2 Niners Chemnitz(Germany)
Alex Antetokounmpo 43 F 6-8 214 lbs AUG 26, 2001 19 R UCAM Murcia (Spain)
Princepal Singh 45 F 6-9 221 lbs JAN 03, 2001 20 R NBA G League Ignite
Neemias Queta 88 C 7-0 245 lbs JUL 13, 1999 22 R Utah State

 

Davion Mitchell

Mitchell has been one of the most polarizing players in this year’s draft. His draft stock was high for some and low for others. How he performs in Summer League will be an early look into how he will adjust to the NBA game. Mitchell has a really good chance to get as many shots up as he wants. This matchup will be a very good opportunity for Grizzlies players to show how good they can be defensively.

DJ Steward

Steward already plays the game with a chip on his shoulder, but after going undrafted, expect this to be a breakout time for him. He is an undersized guard who can really shoot the ball well from beyond the arc. With his spot on the team not guaranteed, Steward will need to show his shooting stroke to get picked up on a two-way deal.

Neemias Queta

A monster among men!

Queta is a force in the paint and will be a good test for Tillman. Queta is very good around the basket and can pass well for a big man. He does struggle defensively out on the perimeter, so the Grizzlies will look to space the floor to take away his size and strength.

Chicago Bulls

PLAYER # POS HT WT BIRTHDATE AGE EXP SCHOOL
Ryan Daly 00 G 6-5 225 lbs JAN 06, 1998 23 R St. Joseph’s (PA)
Jaylen Adams 2 G 6-0 225 lbs MAY 04, 1996 25 2 St. Bonaventure
Devon Dotson 3 G 6-2 185 lbs AUG 02, 1999 22 1 Kansas
Ayo Dosunmu 12 G 6-5 200 lbs JAN 17, 2000 21 R Illinois-Urbana-Champaign
Jerome Robinson 13 G 6-4 190 lbs FEB 22, 1997 24 3 Boston College
Omari Spellman 14 C-F 6-8 245 lbs JUL 21, 1997 24 2 Villanova
Ethan Thompson 15 G 6-5 195 lbs MAY 04, 1999 22 R Oregon State
Tyler Bey 16 F 6-7 215 lbs FEB 10, 1998 23 1 Colorado
Marko Simonovic 19 C 6-11 220 lbs OCT 15, 1999 21 R Mega Basket
Sterling Manley 22 F-C 6-11 250 lbs DEC 18, 1998 22 R North Carolina
Troy Baxter Jr. 25 F 6-9 200 lbs MAR 05, 1996 25 R Morgan State
Patrick Williams 44 F 6-8 227 lbs AUG 26, 2001 19 1 Florida State
Simi Shittu 77 F 6-10 240 lbs NOV 07, 1999 21 R Vanderbilt

 

Ayo Dosunmu

Ayo is a very good athlete that can finish at the rim very well. The Bulls are expected to take a step forward this year, so if he can adjust to the NBA game quickly, then Ayo could be a rotational player for them. Dosunmu’s defense will be a very good test for Desmond Bane since he projects to be a high-level defender.

This game could be the Grizzlies’ crucible of the summer.

Patrick Williams

The No. 4 pick in last year’s draft seemed to be a reach for Williams. This will be his first Summer League, and a great chance to develop into the player the Bulls expect him to be. Williams averaged nine points per game last season, so expect him to average 20+ this summer. Killian Tillie will likely draw the matchup against Williams. This could be a chance for Tillie to show — when healthy — just how good he could be with the Grizzlies.

Memphis Grizzlies

PLAYER # POS HT WT BIRTHDATE AGE EXP SCHOOL
Romeo Weems 0 F 6-7 210 lbs JUN 09, 2001 20 R DePaul
Anthony Cowan Jr. 1 G 6-0 170 lbs OCT 07, 1997 23 R Maryland
Xavier Tillman Sr. 2 F-C 6-8 245 lbs JAN 12, 1999 22 1 Michigan State
Yves Pons 5 G-F 6-6 215 lbs MAY 07, 1999 22 R Tennessee
Ahmad Caver 7 G 6-2 174 lbs SEP 12, 1996 24 R Old Dominion
Ziaire Williams 8 G-F 6-9 185 lbs SEP 12, 2001 19 R Stanford
Shaq Buchanan 11 G 6-3 190 lbs JAN 30, 1997 24 R Murray State
Olivier Sarr 20 C 7-0 243 lbs FEB 20, 1999 22 R Kentucky
Keaton Wallace 21 G 6-3 185 lbs FEB 26, 1999 22 R Texas-San Antonio
Desmond Bane 22 G-F 6-6 215 lbs JUN 25, 1998 23 1 TCU
Santi Aldama 23 F 6-11 224 lbs JAN 10, 2001 20 R Loyola (MD)
Sam Merrill 25 G 6-4 197 lbs MAY 15, 1996 25 1 Utah State
Ben Moore 26 F 6-8 220 lbs MAY 13, 1995 26 1 SMU
Sean McDermott 30 G-F 6-6 195 lbs NOV 03, 1996 24 1 Butler
Darnell Cowart 32 F 6-8 280 lbs OCT 16, 1998 22 R Murray State
Killian Tillie 35 F-C 6-10 220 lbs MAR 05, 1998 23 1 Gonzaga
John Konchar 46 G-F 6-5 210 lbs MAR 22, 1996 25 2 Fort Wayne

 

John Konchar

Let’s Get Jitty With It!

If John Konchar was in a bigger market, he would be more beloved than Alex Caruso has been. He does everything that you would want from a role player. This summer is a great time for him to show just how good he can be. Expect Konchar to continue to fill the stat sheet just as he has during the Utah Summer League.

Killian Tillie

It’s Tillie time! Killian is finally healthy after an injury-riddled college career. Best-case scenario he continues to shoot well from the perimeter and become a solid stretch four. Don’t expect Tillie to produce much this upcoming season, but he can continue to develop into a solid role player.

Yves Pons

Yves is an athletic freak. If he can continue to show out during these games like he did in Utah, expect him to play with the Memphis Hustle this year. Pons has shown his athleticism and defensive prowess. He needs to develop his outside shot, but the G League can help with that.

Santi Aldama

Most of us know nothing about Santi Aldama. The unknown creates so much excitement and the potential of what he could become. All eyes will be on Santi when he gets on the court. Look for ball handling and shot creation as the true strengths of his game.

Ziaire Williams

Welcome back to playing in front of a crowd, Ziaire. He has not played in front of a crowd since his last high-school game. Don’t expect there to be a breakthrough in his outside shooting percentage during these games. Williams needs to show off his athleticism and defense as his strengths this summer. The 10th overall pick brings a ton of pressure, but Ziaire has a just as much potential and will show out right away.

Desmond Bane

This is Bane’s chance to take that next step. Improving defensively should be Desmond’s focus during these games since that seems to be one of his few weaknesses. Bane looks to be the best player on this team and he could become this year’s Summer League MVP.

Follow us on Twitter @Grizz_Lead for the latest Grizzlies news and insight. 

[pickup_prop id=”10045″]

About Daniel Greer

Audio Director for The Lead Sports Media. Contributor for Grizz Lead & Bet The Lead. Host of the Grizz 901 podcast.

Powered by themekiller.com