5 best European players to ever play for the Memphis Grizzlies

No 4. Juan Carlos ‘La Bomba’ Navarro’s Grizzlies stint was ridiculously fun

Juan Carlos Navarro was drafted by the Washington Wizards in 2002, but decided to remain in Spain and FC Barcelona to develop as a player. It was when the Grizzlies obtained his rights in the summer of 2007, that Navarro would make the big step to the NBA.

Navarro played in 82 games in that 2007-08 season, with averages of 10.9 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists. He led all rookies in three-points made and even tied the record for the most threes made by a rookie with 8 made three pointers

Despite having an impressive season and being named to the All-Rookie Second Team, Navarro chose to leave the NBA and return to his home country. Back in Europe, he would meet tremendous individual and team success, with both Barcelona and the Spanish national team.

He is now well retired and fairly considered one of the greatest European players to ever touch a basketball.

No 3. Jonas Valanciunas was the epitome of consistency for Grizzlies

JV became a Grizzly in 2019 after the trade that sent Marc Gasol to the Toronto Raptors. He left after two years, having earned the love and appreciation of the franchise’s fanbase.

One of the few remaining traditional big men, Valanciunas was always a reliable scoring option from the post. In 151 games for the Grizzlies, Jonas averaged 16.4 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks. In the 2020-21 season, when Jaren Jackson Jr. was injured, he played the best basketball of his career and was a big reason the team made the playoffs.

Jonas is now a member of the New Orleans Pelicans. He will also be playing in this Eurobasket for his national team, Lithuania.