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Memphis Grizzlies Look to Right a Past Wrong with Stephens

By Christian Dudley

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 19: D.J. Stephens #20 of the Memphis Grizzlies dunks the ball during a preseason game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 19, 2016 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 19: D.J. Stephens #20 of the Memphis Grizzlies dunks the ball during a preseason game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 19, 2016 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 19: D.J. Stephens #20 of the Memphis Grizzlies dunks the ball during a preseason game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 19, 2016 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 19: D.J. Stephens #20 of the Memphis Grizzlies dunks the ball during a preseason game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 19, 2016 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Memphis Grizzlies failed to make the best decision for their final roster spot two seasons ago, but they will revisit the D.J. Stephens experiment.

There is something special about an NBA player that plays for his hometown. If not his hometown, then an NBA player representing the same city he once resided within during his collegiate days.

For D.J. Stephens, he fits the description of the latter. Hailing from Killeen, Texas, the 6’5″ wing spent four years at the University of Memphis. Here, Stephens became a Tennessee legend. Graduating in 2013, D.J. bounced from the NBA’s Developmental League to a few stints with NBA franchises. It was not until 2016 that the Memphis Grizzlies dialed Stephens’ number.

The Grizzlies had extended an invitation to D.J. Stephens to participate on their Vegas Summer League squad. Without a doubt, he accepted. A Memphis legend was once again donning the city’s name — his home away from home — across his chest. It was meant to be.

In three summer league games that year, Stephens posted per-game averages of 10.3 points and 4.0 rebounds while shooting 59.1% from the field (including 36.4% from beyond the arc). He was not only determined to earn a spot on Memphis’ training camp roster, but he wanted to show the improvements he had made within his game since leaving the University of Memphis. Those enhancements were definitely visible in his shooting range and defensive awareness.

You could say D.J. is known as The King of Dunk. He owns the vertical leap record at the NBA Draft Combine with an insane 46-inch mark. During his time with the Grizzlies, a slew of thunderous dunks were thrown down on Beale Street — in addition to all the ones from his four years as a Memphis Tiger.

Unfortunately for D.J., he was the Memphis Grizzlies’ final roster cut leading into the 2016-17 regular season. The decision came down to the ex-Tigers star and Troy Williams, an undrafted rookie out of Indiana University. Both guys had played well in preseason action, but the Grizz opted for the younger guy with less experience. Prior to reaching the halfway mark the season, Memphis severed ties with Williams due to an emergency lack of depth at the point guard position. This is why Toney Douglas became a Grizzly.

The Grizzlies looked to be building for the future, but in the end, injuries squashed this potential low-risk, high-reward experiment. Memphis wanted to keep Stephens and Williams both, but they did not have the available roster spots to do so. Not often do the same opportunities roll around a second time, but occassionally there is a second chance.

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Now it is time for Round Two of the Grizzlies-Stephens relationship. D.J. Stephens confirms with Beale Street Bears that he will play for the Memphis Grizzlies in July’s NBA Summer League games. He is coming off of back-to-back championship victories with Le Mans (France). In the most current season, which ended on Sunday, Stephens took home the league’s Sixth Man of the Year award. D.J. would add depth to both wing positions for the Grizzlies if he were to make the 2018-19 regular season roster.

With the Grizz for the second time, the goals should be the same for D.J. Stephens. Ultimately, excel with the Grizzlies’ summer league team and earn a spot in their training camp. From there, do everything it takes to force the Front Office to add the name D.J. Stephens to the regular season roster.

Go Grizz! 

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