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10 stars you might have forgot played for the Memphis Grizzlies

By Amaar Burton

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 18: Vince Carter #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies looks on against the Washington Wizards at Verizon Center on January 18, 2017 in Washington, DC. 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. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 18: Vince Carter #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies looks on against the Washington Wizards at Verizon Center on January 18, 2017 in Washington, DC. 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. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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DALLAS – FEBRUARY 07: Head coach Tony Barone talks with Damon Stoudamire #20 of the Memphis Grizzlies during game against the Dallas Mavericks on February 7, 2007 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
DALLAS – FEBRUARY 07: Head coach Tony Barone talks with Damon Stoudamire #20 of the Memphis Grizzlies during game against the Dallas Mavericks on February 7, 2007 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

9. Damon Stoudamire (2005-08)

When the Vancouver Grizzlies made their first-ever selection in the NBA Draft, they passed on Damon “Mighty Mouse” Stoudamire in favor of Bryant “Big Country” Reeves.

Just look at those nicknames and it’s not hard to figure out why the Grizzlies would make that decision. In the 1995 version of the NBA, 7-foot centers were much more in-demand than 5’10” point guards.

With the very next pick, the Toronto Raptors made Stoudamire their first-ever selection in the NBA Draft. Stoudamire undeniably made a bigger impact in the league than Reeves. He won Rookie of the Year for the Raptors, and later in his career was a starter on some very good Portland Trail Blazers teams.

Stoudamire was about to turn 32 years old and coming off a good season with the Blazers when he signed with the Grizzlies in 2005. He was Memphis’ starting point guard, but in late-December he suffered a torn patellar tendon, ending his season after 27 games. That was the last time Stoudamire was a double-digit scorer in the NBA.

Stoudamire returned the next season and was a part-time starter, averaging 7.5 points and 4.8 assists per game. Then the Grizzlies drafted Mike Conley Jr. in 2007, and there really wasn’t room for Stoudamire in Memphis. The veteran was was bought out and waived midway through the 2007-08 season, eventually signing with the San Antonio Spurs to finish his career.

After his playing days, Stoudamire came back to Memphis as an assistant coach for the Grizzlies from 2009-2011. He then served two stints as an assistant for the University of Memphis, and is currently the head coach at University of the Pacific. After the 2020 NBA Draft, the Grizzlies signed one of Stoudamire’s Pacific players, Jahlil Tripp, to a contract.

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