Memphis raced to a double-digit first-quarter lead at Jon M. Huntsman Center, cruising to a 111-74 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Grizzlies entered summer league with one of the event's deepest rosters, a blend of high-end rookies headlined by No. 3 overall pick Cam Boozer, and returning players with NBA experience. That combination showed throughout the dominant performance.
Here are the biggest takeaways from Memphis' summer league opener.
Grizzlies 2026 draft picks Karim Lopez, Cameron Boozer and Richie Saunders hold up their Memphis Grizzlies jerseys after their inaugural press conference at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on June 25, 2026. (Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)Grizzlies 2026 draft picks Karim Lopez, Cam Boozer and Richie Saunders pose for photos with their New Jerseys next to Zach Kleiman, general manager and executive vice president of basketball operations, and head coach Tuomas Iisalo after the players’ introductory press conference at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on June 25, 2026. (Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)Grizzlies 2026 draft picks Karim Lopez, Cam Boozer and Richie Saunders listen to questions from the media during their introductory press conference at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on June 25, 2026. (Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)Zach Kleiman, general manager and executive vice president of basketball operations, listens to a question from the media during the introductory press conference for the team’s 2026 draft picks at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on June 25, 2026. (Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)Memphis Grizzlies’ Cam Boozer (27) smiles as he listens to a question from the media during the introductory press conference for the team’s 2026 NBA Draft picks at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on June 25, 2026. (Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)Tuomas Iisalo, Grizzlies head coach, smiles as he answers a question from the media during the introductory press conference for the team’s 2026 draft picks at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on June 25, 2026. (Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)Memphis Grizzlies’ Cam Boozer (27) listens to a question from the media during the introductory press conference for the team’s 2026 NBA Draft picks at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on June 25, 2026. (Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)Memphis Grizzlies’ Karim Lopez (35) listens to a question from the media during the introductory press conference for the team’s 2026 NBA Draft picks at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on June 25, 2026. (Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)Memphis Grizzlies’ Richie Saunders (5) listens to a question from the media during the introductory press conference for the team’s 2026 NBA Draft picks at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on June 25, 2026. (Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)Memphis Grizzlies’ Cam Boozer (27) answers a question from the media during the introductory press conference for the team’s 2026 NBA Draft picks at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on June 25, 2026. (Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)Memphis Grizzlies’ Richie Saunders (5) answers a question from the media during the introductory press conference for the team’s 2026 NBA Draft picks at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on June 25, 2026. (Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)Memphis Grizzlies’ Karim Lopez (35) answers a question from the media during the introductory press conference for the team’s 2026 NBA Draft picks at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on June 25, 2026. (Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)Zach Kleiman, Grizzlies general manager and executive vice president of basketball operations, listens to a question from the media during the introductory press conference for the team’s 2026 draft picks at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on June 25, 2026. (Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)Grizzlies Cedric Coward (23) and GG Jackson (45) watch the introductory press conference for the team’s 2026 NBA Draft picks at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on June 25, 2026. (Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)Tuomas Iisalo, Grizzlies head coach, listens to a question from the media during the introductory press conference for the team’s 2026 draft picks at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on June 25, 2026. (Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)Tuomas Iisalo, Grizzlies head coach, answers a question from the media during the introductory press conference for the team’s 2026 draft picks at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on June 25, 2026. (Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)Zach Kleiman, Grizzlies general manager and executive vice president of basketball operations, answers a question from the media during the introductory press conference for the team’s 2026 draft picks at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on June 25, 2026. (Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)Memphis Grizzlies’ Cam Boozer (27) smiles as he answers a question from the media during the introductory press conference for the team’s 2026 NBA Draft picks at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on June 25, 2026. (Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)Grizzlies 2026 NBA Draft picks Karim Lopez, Cam Boozer and Richie Saunders laugh with each other after their introductory press conference at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on June 25, 2026. (Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)Former NBA player Carlos Boozer, father to Grizzlies first round pick Cameron Boozer, smiles as he walks out of the introductory press conference for the team’s 2026 NBA Draft picks at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on June 25, 2026. (Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)Former NBA player Carlos Boozer, father to Grizzlies first round pick Cameron Boozer, speaks to a member of the media as he walks out of the introductory press conference for the team’s 2026 NBA Draft picks at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on June 25, 2026. (Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)1 / 31
Grizzlies' Cam Boozer first press conference at FedExForum with fellow 2026 NBA Draft picks
Grizzlies 2026 draft picks Karim Lopez, Cameron Boozer and Richie Saunders hold up their Memphis Grizzlies jerseys after their inaugural press conference at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on June 25, 2026. (Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)
Grizzlies' Cam Boozer first press conference at FedExForum with fellow 2026 NBA Draft picks
Grizzlies 2026 draft picks Karim Lopez, Cam Boozer and Richie Saunders pose for photos with their New Jerseys next to Zach Kleiman, general manager and executive vice president of basketball operations, and head coach Tuomas Iisalo after the players’ introductory press conference at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on June 25, 2026. (Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)
Grizzlies' Cam Boozer first press conference at FedExForum with fellow 2026 NBA Draft picks
Grizzlies 2026 draft picks Karim Lopez, Cam Boozer and Richie Saunders listen to questions from the media during their introductory press conference at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on June 25, 2026. (Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)
Grizzlies' Cam Boozer first press conference at FedExForum with fellow 2026 NBA Draft picks
Zach Kleiman, general manager and executive vice president of basketball operations, listens to a question from the media during the introductory press conference for the team’s 2026 draft picks at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on June 25, 2026. (Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)
Grizzlies' Cam Boozer first press conference at FedExForum with fellow 2026 NBA Draft picks
Memphis Grizzlies’ Cam Boozer (27) smiles as he listens to a question from the media during the introductory press conference for the team’s 2026 NBA Draft picks at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on June 25, 2026. (Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)
Grizzlies' Cam Boozer first press conference at FedExForum with fellow 2026 NBA Draft picks
Tuomas Iisalo, Grizzlies head coach, smiles as he answers a question from the media during the introductory press conference for the team’s 2026 draft picks at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on June 25, 2026. (Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)
Grizzlies' Cam Boozer first press conference at FedExForum with fellow 2026 NBA Draft picks
Memphis Grizzlies’ Cam Boozer (27) listens to a question from the media during the introductory press conference for the team’s 2026 NBA Draft picks at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on June 25, 2026. (Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)
Grizzlies' Cam Boozer first press conference at FedExForum with fellow 2026 NBA Draft picks
Memphis Grizzlies’ Karim Lopez (35) listens to a question from the media during the introductory press conference for the team’s 2026 NBA Draft picks at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on June 25, 2026. (Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)
Grizzlies' Cam Boozer first press conference at FedExForum with fellow 2026 NBA Draft picks
Memphis Grizzlies’ Richie Saunders (5) listens to a question from the media during the introductory press conference for the team’s 2026 NBA Draft picks at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on June 25, 2026. (Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)
Grizzlies' Cam Boozer first press conference at FedExForum with fellow 2026 NBA Draft picks
Memphis Grizzlies’ Cam Boozer (27) answers a question from the media during the introductory press conference for the team’s 2026 NBA Draft picks at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on June 25, 2026. (Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)
Grizzlies' Cam Boozer first press conference at FedExForum with fellow 2026 NBA Draft picks
Memphis Grizzlies’ Richie Saunders (5) answers a question from the media during the introductory press conference for the team’s 2026 NBA Draft picks at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on June 25, 2026. (Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)
Grizzlies' Cam Boozer first press conference at FedExForum with fellow 2026 NBA Draft picks
Memphis Grizzlies’ Karim Lopez (35) answers a question from the media during the introductory press conference for the team’s 2026 NBA Draft picks at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on June 25, 2026. (Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)
Grizzlies' Cam Boozer first press conference at FedExForum with fellow 2026 NBA Draft picks
Zach Kleiman, Grizzlies general manager and executive vice president of basketball operations, listens to a question from the media during the introductory press conference for the team’s 2026 draft picks at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on June 25, 2026. (Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)
Grizzlies' Cam Boozer first press conference at FedExForum with fellow 2026 NBA Draft picks
Grizzlies Cedric Coward (23) and GG Jackson (45) watch the introductory press conference for the team’s 2026 NBA Draft picks at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on June 25, 2026. (Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)
Grizzlies' Cam Boozer first press conference at FedExForum with fellow 2026 NBA Draft picks
Tuomas Iisalo, Grizzlies head coach, listens to a question from the media during the introductory press conference for the team’s 2026 draft picks at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on June 25, 2026. (Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)
Grizzlies' Cam Boozer first press conference at FedExForum with fellow 2026 NBA Draft picks
Tuomas Iisalo, Grizzlies head coach, answers a question from the media during the introductory press conference for the team’s 2026 draft picks at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on June 25, 2026. (Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)
Grizzlies' Cam Boozer first press conference at FedExForum with fellow 2026 NBA Draft picks
Zach Kleiman, Grizzlies general manager and executive vice president of basketball operations, answers a question from the media during the introductory press conference for the team’s 2026 draft picks at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on June 25, 2026. (Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)
Grizzlies' Cam Boozer first press conference at FedExForum with fellow 2026 NBA Draft picks
Memphis Grizzlies’ Cam Boozer (27) smiles as he answers a question from the media during the introductory press conference for the team’s 2026 NBA Draft picks at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on June 25, 2026. (Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)
Grizzlies' Cam Boozer first press conference at FedExForum with fellow 2026 NBA Draft picks
Grizzlies 2026 NBA Draft picks Karim Lopez, Cam Boozer and Richie Saunders laugh with each other after their introductory press conference at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on June 25, 2026. (Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)
Grizzlies' Cam Boozer first press conference at FedExForum with fellow 2026 NBA Draft picks
Former NBA player Carlos Boozer, father to Grizzlies first round pick Cameron Boozer, smiles as he walks out of the introductory press conference for the team’s 2026 NBA Draft picks at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on June 25, 2026. (Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)
Grizzlies' Cam Boozer first press conference at FedExForum with fellow 2026 NBA Draft picks
Former NBA player Carlos Boozer, father to Grizzlies first round pick Cameron Boozer, speaks to a member of the media as he walks out of the introductory press conference for the team’s 2026 NBA Draft picks at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on June 25, 2026. (Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)
Cam Boozer stars in debut
It took one possession for Boozer to make an impression.
The 6-foot-10 forward opened his summer league career by attacking the rim for a dunk over Thunder 7-3 center Aday Mara. From there, he showcased the complete offensive package that made him one of the top prospects in the draft, scoring from the rim, midrange and 3-point range.
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Boozer's impact extended well beyond scoring. He consistently made the right reads while drawing extra defensive attention, threaded accurate passes in traffic and looked comfortable pushing the ball in transition as both a passer and scorer.
He finished with 15 points, four rebounds and four assists.
If Boozer continues playing at this level, the Grizzlies may not have much reason to keep him in summer league for long.
Several Grizzlies looked a step ahead
Boozer wasn't the only player who appeared too advanced for summer league competition.
Cedric Coward picked up where he left off after earning first-team NBA All-Rookie honors last season. His versatility was evident throughout the game as he controlled the glass, protected the rim with a highlight block and confidently took his shots. He finished with 11 points and eight rebounds.
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Taylor Hendricks and Oliver-Maxence Prosper were somewhat surprising additions to Memphis' summer league roster considering each has more than two seasons of NBA experience. Both looked every bit like players who may be too good for summer league.
Prosper led Memphis with 17 points, while Hendricks added 15 despite playing fewer than 20 minutes. After helping the Grizzlies build a commanding first-half lead, Hendricks played just one minute after halftime.
Memphis' depth stands out
This version of the Grizzlies will be difficult to beat in summer league.
Several players logging major minutes also spent significant time together with Memphis during the regular season, giving the Grizzlies a chemistry advantage over many opponents still learning to play together.
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Javon Small controlled the offense throughout the afternoon, finishing with 11 points and nine assists while creating quality looks for teammates.
Jahmai Mashack made his usual impact defensively, but his offensive production stood out as well. He scored 12 points and added four assists while bringing his trademark energy off the bench.
Overall, the Grizzlies received strong performances from nearly every key contributor in an impressive opening statement.
Memphis returns to action July 6 against the Utah Jazz (8 p.m. CT, Grind City Media app).
Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.