Jake LaRavia is off to a promising start through two summer league games for the Memphis Grizzlies while Kenneth Lofton Jr. had an impressive opening game.

Speaking for the first time since the end of the season, Taylor Jenkins shared the key for replacing Ja Morant and what to expect from the addition of Marcus Smart. 

Former Grizzlies defensive standout Tony Allen will play in the Big3 for 3’s Company. The basketball league will come to FedExForum on July 15. 

The headline for the Grizzlies-Thunder Summer League contest wasn’t Chet Holmgren or Kenneth Lofton Jr., as expected, but Jake LaRavia, the team’s top pick in the 2022 draft. 

Related stories:

Taylor Jenkins anticipates Smart, Rose contributions to Grizzlies game plan

Former Grizzlies star Tony Allen to play in Big3

The Tigers may not duplicate their 16 interceptions from last season, but passing yards allowed per game should decrease while the defensive line produces more sacks. 

Penny Hardaway’s late offseason roster magic puts Memphis a couple developments away from having a team as talented as most heading into the 2023-24 season.

MUS product Maurice Hampton Jr. started his college career as a two-sport athlete. After spending the last two years only playing baseball, he’ll be back to playing football games for the first time since the 2020 season. 

The Sounds handed Memphis five losses in a six-game International League series at AutoZone Park.

The Grizzlies played from behind for much of the game, but sealed their victory with a David Roddy/Kenneth Lofton Jr. combo in the game’s final minute.

The negotiation period for NBA free agency is now mostly over, but the big moves of the offseason have perhaps just begun.

Nine former Tigers are expected to play in the NBA’s 2023 Summer League.

Related story: 

‘Just brothers’: Kendric Davis, Lester Quiñones team up with Golden State

The problem with common sense, as the saying goes, is that it’s so uncommon. Memphis businessman Bill Courtney is trying to change that with his new podcast, “An Army of Normal Folks.”

Former DeSoto Central standout Austin Riley and former Evangelical Christian School star Brent Rooker were named Sunday, July 2, as reserves for the MLB All-Star Game that will be played July 11 in Seattle.

Related story:

Former ECS star is baseball’s early season surprise

“We would head back to Busch Stadium and find our spot on the fold-down, red plastic chairs — the ones you would have to peel the backs of your thighs off of each time you would stand up to cheer. Because it was hot. So, so hot.”

The former Whitehaven High star played at Missouri and Jackson State before signing this year with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent.

The Grizzlies will generate a trade exception by doing the sign-and-trade that sends Brooks to Houston.

The three assistant coaches and three players Alex Simmons brought from Gardner-Webb have helped make the transition to Memphis much easier. 

Daryl Johnston wants to put all eight of the USFL’s current teams in their home markets before thinking about expansion. 

Former Memphis Tigers Kendric Davis and Lester Quiñones will be with the Warriors for NBA summer league play.

Here are a few things to watch as the Grizzlies begin summer league play July 3.

Related story:

Grizzlies Summer League schedule includes games in Salt Lake, Vegas

A scheduling hearing led to two dates being labeled as the next steps in the civil suit involving Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant and a fight during a pickup basketball game.

Related stories:

Grizzlies Insider: Memphis summer league preview

Morant files motion to dismiss pickup game lawsuit

In additional Shelby County Circuit Court filings, Ja Morant’s father and additional witnesses provide further accounts of the fight that occurred between the Memphis Grizzlies star and a local high school basketball player during a pickup game last summer.