The Memphis Grizzlies have been one of the biggest surprises this season in the NBA and some of the team’s success is due, in part, to contributions from the team’s rookies.
Ziaire Williams and Santi Aldama, the team’s pair of first round draft picks, have been regular contributors this season due to the proliferation of players entering Health and Safety protocols and injuries.
Memphis Grizzlies rookies have matured rapidly
At the beginning of the season, Williams got more reps off the bench than Aldama. But as the season progressed and we saw players miss time, Head Coach Taylor Jenkins had to go deeper and deeper into his line-up.
Williams even started in two games during the first half of the season because of the roster chaos that all teams have experienced at one point or another so far this season.
Let’s take a look at how each of these players have performed during the first half the 2021-22 season and give them a grade.
First up is Santi Aldama.