Overview
- Boozer, selected third overall by the Memphis Grizzlies, told reporters Monday that he welcomes the pressure of anchoring the team's rebuild and said he carries a 'chip on his shoulder.'
- He arrives from Duke as the consensus national player of the year after one season, averaging 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists and shooting 39.1% from three.
- Boozer chose jersey No. 27 to honor his mother and said he expects the Grizzlies to 'be shockingly good' next season in comments on the Chris Vernon Show.
- Memphis paired Boozer with existing frontcourt pieces such as 7-foot-4 Zach Edey and added two more rookies in the draft, Karim Lopez (No. 21) and Richie Saunders (No. 32), shaping the young core.
- Scouts and analytics praise his scoring and playmaking but note questions about his athleticism and rim protection, which will shape how the Grizzlies build surrounds and measure short-term defensive growth.