Improvements By D.J. Stephens Forced Memphis Grizzlies to Invest

The Memphis Grizzlies have revived a past plan by implementing a local legend into their open two-way contract spot.

On Monday, D.J. Stephens was reintroduced to the Memphis Grizzlies franchise. In reality, the King of Dunk needed no introduction.

Stephens is a University of Memphis Tigers legend and had one go-around with the Grizzlies two years ago. He is the epitome of Memphis, much like Tyreke Evans in the 2017-18 NBA season.

Now in 2018, one big difference is that he is landing with the team at the right time rather than leaving them at the wrong time. D.J. is officially here to stay, which is music to Memphians’ ears.

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D.J. Stephens did not give up after being cut from Memphis’ roster in 2016. He understood what he needed to do in order to get closer to a guaranteed contract. In playing on the international level for two consecutive seasons, he achieved his goals. The Grizzlies took notice of the improvements made within his game.

In his overseas stint with Le Mans (France) during the 2017-18 season, Stephens boasted averages of 9.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, and nearly one steal per game on 46.8% shooting from the field in 20.2 minutes per game. The key stat that sparked the Grizzlies’ interest the most was his 38.7% accuracy from beyond the three-point stripe.

The Grizzlies’ international scouts had kept their eyes on Stephens throughout his championship-winning season with Le Mans. As the season came to a close, they dialed D.J.’s number. He landed on Memphis’ Vegas Summer League roster, and that was not the end of the road.

This week brought the news of D.J. Stephens’ return to the 901, though he missed the team’s training camp week and their first three preseason games.

“When the opportunity presented itself for me to be a part of the Grizzlies, I pretty much jumped on board with the situation that was presented to me,” says D.J. Stephens of his two-way contract offer by the Memphis Grizzlies.

When discussing the Memphis Grizzlies’ “grit-‘n’-grind” culture, D.J. fits right in. Nothing has been easy on the Tiger-turned-Grizzly, but he is back again.

Stephens explains the journey by telling Beale Street Bears “my motivation has always been the same since I graduated from college, and it’s been a bumpy road, but I’ve always known I had the talent to get to this point, and I’ve just stuck with that and tried to stay consistent and make it here.”

Talk about a great story leading into the Grizzlies’ upcoming regular season schedule. This is yet another of many reasons to be excited for the 2018-19 season if you are a follower of Memphis’ team.

“It’s a great feeling. Thought it was my time two years ago, but to be back here and given another opportunity to start my NBA career here, I’m happy about it,” proclaims D.J.

This latest step of his professional hoops career should equal regular season minutes with the Grizzlies while he simultaneously develops with their G-League affiliate, the Memphis Hustle.

With the Memphis Grizzlies heading into their fifth and final preseason game slated for Friday, an opportunity exists for D.J. Stephens to receive some minutes off the bench versus the Houston Rockets. He did not check into the game for Memphis in Wednesday’s road loss to the Orlando Magic, though he practiced with his teammates just once prior to their flight to Florida.

Memphis has righted a past wrong and D.J. Stephens is back with the Grizzlies. Expect to see highlight dunks, but most notably, you will witness an improved jumper, intangibles, and defensive game by the 6’5″ former Tiger.