When Memphis drafted and subsequently signed Josh Selby, he became the third former Kansas Jayhawks’ player to wear a Grizzlies’ jersey.
Although there has never been a close connection between Grizzlies General Manager Chris Wallace and Kansas coach Bill Self, the two have spoken a lot over the past several years.
Like all of the NBA’s GM’s, Wallace speaks to a number of college coaches regarding players the Grizzlies are considering for the draft.
As it’s turned out, Wallace has spoken to Self about three former Jayhawks that are now on the Grizzlies roster.
Selby joins fellow Jayhawks Darrell Arthur and Xavier Henry to form a strong Rock Chalk presence in Memphis.
Considering Kansas defeated the University of Memphis for the NCAA basketball championship in 2008, you’d think the three former Jayhawks might be a little uncomfortable playing in the same city that isn’t too fond of Rock Chalkers.
But Arthur is one of the many young players on the Grizzlies roster that fans have come to love. He was the first Kansas player to become part of the Grizzlies following a draft day trade in 2008.
Arthur’s importance to the team was magnified last season when he averaged 9.1 points and 4.3 rebounds a game helping Memphis advance to the Western Conference Semifinals.
Henry has a double connection to the city of Memphis. He had committed to sign with the Tigers when John Calipari was still coaching the University of Memphis.
Henry, along with John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins and Nolan Dennis, were set to form the best recruiting class since Michigan’s Fab Five.
But when Calipari left Memphis to take the University of Kentucky job, Henry decommitted from the Tigers and signed with Kansas.
The Grizzlies drafted Henry in the first round of the 2010 NBA draft, and for a short time last season he started. But like many rookies, Henry had trouble adjusting to the professional game and lost his starting job.
To make matters worse, Henry injured his knee and missed the Grizzlies final 50 games and all of the playoffs. Following the lockout, Henry was healthy and expected to be a contributor off the bench.
But on Monday, Henry suffered a second-degree sprained right ankle, meaning he tore ligaments, and will miss up to four weeks.
The Grizzlies selected Selby with the team’s only draft pick earlier this year despite questions about his health and maturity.
Selby was one of the most highly sought prospects coming out of high school and only played part of one season for Kansas.
But the Grizzlies were admittedly enamored with his raw ability and felt coach Lionel Hollins would be able to help him grow as a player.
Selby may not see a lot of minutes this season because the Grizzlies rotation is basically set.
With the NBA lockout creating a condensed schedule and Memphis squarely among the teams vying for a playoff berth, rookies aren’t going to get many opportunities.
That isn’t necessarily a bad set of circumstances for Selby, a player who would be entering his sophomore season at Kansas had he remained in school.
Having a chance to learn the game while not being called upon to be a major contributor will help him develop at an even pace.
With the start of the 2011-12 NBA season less than two weeks away, the Grizzlies’ run towards an NBA championship will be determined in part by three former Kansas Jayhawks players.
Although Arthur is the only former Jayhawk that’s expected to play significant minutes this season, the Grizzlies’ future will have a distinctive Rock Chalk presence.
