The Memphis Grizzlies were well represented on Friday night in the Clorox Rising Stars Challenge by Desmond Bane. The second-year guard wasn’t the most talked-about player coming into the event but was able to accomplish something that many other players weren’t able to.
Bane was a member of team Isiah Thomas with a star-studded cast including Anthony Edwards and Tyrese Haliburton. This isn’t the only time that Grizzlies fans will get to see Bane this weekend since he is participating in the three-point contest, but he didn’t disappoint.
In the first game for Team Isiah, Bane finished with 10 points including two three-pointers to help push his team to the narrow 50-49 victory. The most important point of all was his game-winning free throw to ice the game. His contribution was crucial in that team win, but he also experienced some individual success on the night as well.
Alongside Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, the two young stars became the inaugural Clorox Clutch Challenge champions. The event consisted of making shots all across the court and they did so in the best time taking the hardware home for the first time of its existence.
you know the vibes. clutch challenge champs.
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) February 19, 2022
shout out @Pacers 🤝 pic.twitter.com/3cGGk85wLV
The championship game was between Bane’s Team Isiah against Cade Cunningham’s Team Barry. Although he wasn’t the most effective in the short game with only three points, he displayed great defense in what would be a loss in the final game.
The rejuvenation of the Rising Stars game was a huge success for the NBA, and Desmond Bane was able to be a part of it and put the Memphis Grizzlies on display while doing so. He’ll have a chance to continue to make Memphis proud and bring home another piece of hardwood in the three-point contest on Saturday night.