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Grizzlies rookie issues touching statement after starting against Clippers

ByMark Nilon|
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 13: The Memphis Grizzlies logo is pictured on a uniform during the game against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on October 13, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 13: The Memphis Grizzlies logo is pictured on a uniform during the game against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on October 13, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

The Memphis Grizzlies may have dropped their second-straight game of the 2023 Las Vegas Summer League Wednesday afternoon, but not every player’s head hung low after the bout.

Following several low-usage performances, heading into their outing against the Los Angeles Clippers, first-year two-guard Nathan Hoover received word from SL head coach Vitaly Potapenko that he’d be receiving a starting nod.

Following the contest, when asked by Grizzlies reporter Kelcey Wright what the emotions were for the Tennessee-born talent to be inserted into the first five lineup for his “hometown team,” the 26-year-old admitted that he was “on cloud nine.”

“I can’t believe to have this experience…being in Memphis, growing up there my whole life, loving the Grizzlies, and to get that call six days before summer camp starts…I can’t believe it.,” Hoover said. “I’m honored to represent the Grizzlies and [to] represent the city as well.”

Hoover would continue on to note that David Roddy has proven to be the biggest leader of the bunch, at least in his eyes, stating: “The first couple of games in Utah, when he would come out of the game or he would be sitting on the bench, I would ask him questions, you know, defensively [and] offensively how we do things. And I think he saw that I want to learn, so now he’s talking to me a lot without me having to ask questions and that’s what I was hoping for.”

He would finish off by noting that, above all else, he wants his teammates to know that “even if I’m here for three weeks, I want to win at all costs.”

Though his spirits were certainly high following his first start with the Grizzlies, unfortunately, his production level was not as grand.

Logging 18 minutes of action, Hoover finished the game with just 11 points on a lackluster 25.0 percent shooting from the floor and 28.6 percent shooting from distance, though admitted to Wright that he believes his struggles were a result of nerves.

Hopefully moving forward throughout the remainder of Summer League, he can shake out the jitters to showcase his skills with 100 percent confidence.

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