Memphis Grizzlies: Former Summer League MVP Looks to Revive Career Via BIG3 League

A Memphis Grizzlies Summer League legend is looking to extend his professional basketball career via the three-on-three BIG3 league.

The Memphis Grizzlies have had little luck with their selections at the NBA Draft. Even though their second-round pick in 2011 did not pan out as expected, he will forever be remembered because of the hype he stirred during Summer League action.

Josh Selby was one of the early arrivals in the onslaught of Kansas Jayhawks that Chris Wallace & company have placed in a Grizzlies uniform over the past decade or so. Though undersized, Selby was a wizard with the rock. Offense was his game, and it was something Memphis needed (and continues to desire today).

Aside from these downfalls in his game while attempting to make the transition from the NCAA ranks to the almighty NBA, the Memphis Grizzlies were veteran-savvy. Player development was most definitely a nonexistent aspect of the organization. Therefore, Josh Selby did not take flight in the 901.

As it turns out, in two total NBA seasons (both as a member of the Grizzlies) and various non-guaranteed stints elsewhere, Josh Selby could not find fit within the association. This goes to show that Summer League dominance does not mean much at all. Typically, those standout performances will not translate to the NBA’s regular season.

Josh Shelby made a name for himself amongst Grizz Nation because of an impressive streak of Summer League games. This is similar to the storylines behind other Grizzlies prospects of the past, including Russ Smith and Wayne Selden. Summer League killers. Yet, developmental projects that did not come to fruition due to limited opportunity.

In preparation of his sophomore NBA season with the Memphis Grizzlies, Selby posted 2012 NBA Summer League averages of 24.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.4 steals in just under 30 minutes per outing. Plus, he shot a whopping 55.7% from the field, including 64.3% from beyond the arc! All of this while standing just 6’2″ in height.

Josh Selby earned Co-MVP honors in the summer of 2012 alongside Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers. It is easy to see why the city of Memphis was buzzing about the Kansas product at this point. However, it all ended when he was a throw-in to finalize a salary dump of a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Since he fell out of the NBA, Selby has bounced around various international basketball leagues. Now on the cusp of 28 years of age, the former Memphis Grizzlies backup point guard is looking to write the next chapter of his playing career. This time, it looks to be via a new direction — the popular three-on-three league known as BIG3.

The BIG3 league announced this week that Josh Selby will enter their draft pool, much like an NBA Draft of sorts. While it is not a guarantee that he will be selected to represent a squad in BIG3 play, he has to like his odds considering how well-represented the Memphis Grizzlies were via former players during the league’s second season in existence in 2018.

It will be interesting to see if Josh Selby earns a spot on a BIG3 roster for this summer’s third season. As of February 23rd, he enters the selection pool alongside another former Grizzly in Gilbert Arenas, though “Agent Zero” is a lock for this season’s competition.

While BIG3 has not presented itself as a hoops league to revive professional careers, it at least provides a last gasp for some of these guy’s playing days, all while making it an entertaining journey for the fans. Perhaps Josh Selby will once again find instant success as this style of game could be the perfect fit for his crafty offensive skill set.