With the new season upon us, the Memphis Grizzlies announced a change of their medical and training staff on media day.
Memphis Business Journal reported that the Memphis Grizzlies have changed their athletic and medical staff.
"Allen Gruver was hired as medical director, while the team promoted Jim Scholler to head athletic trainer. The Grizzlies also added Eric Oetter as director of performance."
This change seems to be a necessary move, as Memphis had a league-high 28 players suit up due to injury last season, an NBA record. With championship aspirations this season, the team will need all hands on deck as they fight through the tough Western Conference.
"Gruver will oversee and direct the Grizzlies’ medical team, performance team, nutrition team and sports science team in an effort to ensure long-term player health. Gruver spent the last eight years as owner and director of Foothills Sports Medicine in Gilbert, Arizona, where he specialized in the rehabilitation of professional and amateur athletes of all sports."
Gruver will be a familiar site for the players and the Memphis Grizzlies obviously trusts his ways. His vision for long-term health will be necessary for Memphis with rookie additions Wade Baldwin IV and Deyonta Davis.
"Scholler is in his ninth season with the Grizzlies, spending the previous eight seasons as the team’s assistant athletic trainer/assistant strength and conditioning coach."
Scholler will also be another returning face who should help to keep the Memphis Grizzlies healthy this season.
"Oetter will work with head strength and conditioning coach Chattin Hill to direct the team’s performance training. Additionally, he will assist Gruver in overseeing the team’s nutrition and sport science programs."
The Memphis Grizzlies have officially opened training camp and will play their first game against Orlando on Oct. 3. Be sure to check back here for more preseason coverage!