Memphis Grizzlies Summer League Review: Rade Zagorac

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 9: Rade Zagorac
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 9: Rade Zagorac

The Memphis Grizzlies got their first NBA look at Rade Zagorac. How did he perform in this year’s Summer League?

Rade Zagorac was one of the Memphis Grizzlies’ biggest question marks coming into this summer. Since he was drafted in the second round in last year’s NBA Draft and spent last season overseas, Grizz Nation didn’t get a single chance to see him play. Some fans had looked at his highlight tapes and saw what he could do, but nobody knew how he’ll pan out in the NBA.

In this year’s Summer League, he was as good as I expected.

Zagorac will definitely have to adjust to the speed and physicality of the NBA game. Something that stuck out to me though was his hustle and his rebounding as a wing. He finished the week and a half averaging 5.3 points and 4.8 rebounds in 20.8 minutes per game.

While the point total doesn’t look fantastic, his rebounding numbers are very encouraging. With Tony Allen more than likely going elsewhere, having another wing that could get you anywhere from four to seven rebounds a night would be awesome.

Zagorac may be that guy.

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Summer League Grade: C+

Looking Ahead

While Wayne Selden is able to play the 2-spot – and he should be the starter at the 2 – Ennis, Zagorac and McLemore will have to battle it out to see who will take the other minutes from the wing. With the backcourt as deep as it is, Zagorac could sit back and get comfy as he’s adjusting to the very different NBA game. Once he figures it out, I expect Zagorac to become a solid role player this upcoming year.