With grit and grind still being at the forefront of the Memphis Grizzlies’ style of basketball, their future is bright.

In recent years, their young team has embodied this and proved many doubters wrong. On June 23 the likelihood of the Grizzlies continuing to show that league experience is not always a necessity will continue with their new draft picks. 

In the 2022 NBA Draft, Memphis’ selections will consist of the 22nd, 29th and 47th picks. It is safe to say that the Grizzlies have unfinished business. If guard Ja Morant would not have suffered a bone bruise in his right knee, the youthful stars may have made a deeper run in the playoffs. 

Here are the Grizzlies most recent first round picks and how they have fared in the NBA.

2010: Xavier Henry 

Drafted: No. 12 overall 

Stats with Grizzlies: 38 games, 4.3 ppg, 0.5 apg

Career stats: 185 games, 5.7 ppg, 0.6 apg

The buzz: With three seasons left of collegiate eligibility, Henry decided to enter the draft in 2010. He was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans as a part of a three-team trade. In 2013, Henry began playing with the Los Angeles Lakers and scored 22 points in his debut. Henry had to undergo surgery on his wrist and knee. He signed with Golden State but was waived four days later. This led to Henry playing with the NBA G League for several teams, ending his journey with the Oklahoma City Blue.

2010: Dominique Jones

Drafted: No. 25 overall

Stats with Grizzlies: 0 games, 0 ppg, 0 apg

Career stats: 80 games, 3.1 ppg, 1.8 apg

The buzz: Jones did not get the chance to play for the Grizzlies as he was instantly traded to the Dallas Mavericks. Dallas won the 2011 NBA Finals but Jones had to watch from the sideline due to a foot injury. He spent time in the NBA G League through the Texas Legends and Springfield Armor. Jones later took the leap to play overseas. 

2010: Greivis Vásquez

Drafted: No. 28 overall

Stats with Grizzlies: 70 games, 3.6 ppg, 2.2 apg

Career stats: 401 games, 9 ppg, 4.8 apg

The buzz: Vásquez contributed to the Grizzlies winning their first postseason game in franchise history. He played in all of the Grizzlies games during the 2011 NBA Playoffs, helping them advance to the second round where they fell short against Oklahoma City. After spending time with several NBA teams , Vásquez went on to coach the Birmingham Squadron. 

2012: Tony Wroten

Drafted: No. 25 overall

Stats with Grizzlies: 35 games, 2.6 ppg, 1.2 apg

Career stats: 145 games, 11.1 ppg, 3 apg

The buzz: Wroten’s NBA career started off slow, but picked up after being traded to the Philadelphia 76ers. During his first start as a 76er, he posted his first-triple double with 18 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds. In 2016 he joined the Grizzles again but was waived an additional three times. He now plays for Iraklis Thessaloniki. 

2014: Jordan Adams

Drafted: No. 22 overall

Stats with the Grizzlies: 32 games, 3.2 ppg, 0.6 apg

Career stats: 32 games, 3.2 ppg, 0.6 apg

The buzz: While with the Grizzlies, Adams spent most of his games with the Iowa Energy. An off-and-on right knee injury cut his NBA career short and he is now a top scorer in Argentina with Club Comunicaciones.

2015: Jarell Martin

Drafted: No. 25 overall

Stats with the Grizzlies: 142 games, 6.2 ppg, 0.7 apg

Career stats: 184 games, 5.4 ppg, 0.6 apg

The buzz: Martin’s tenure was a tale of foot injuries. It began with missing Summer League due to a stress fracture in his foot and later fracturing his left foot. Once healthy, Martin received multiple extra minutes because the Grizzlies were riddled with injuries. His NBA career also consisted of playing with the Magic, Cavaliers, Iowa Energy and Rio Grande Valley Vipers. Martin now plays for the Sydney Kings of the Australian National Basketball League.

2016: Wade Baldwin 

Drafted: No. 17 overall

Stats with the Grizzlies: 33 games, 3.2 ppg, 1.8 apg

Career stats: 56 games, 3.1 ppg, 1.4 apg

The buzz: In Baldwin’s NBA debut against the Minnesota Timberwolves he scored seven points, five rebounds and six assists. He also spent time with the Iowa Energy and later signed a two-way deal with Portland Trail Blazers and Texas Legends. This deal turned into a regular contract with Portland. Baldwin was traded to multiple teams in February 2019 and has spent the remainder of his career playing overseas.

2018: Jaren Jackson Jr. 

Drafted: No. 4 overall

Stats with the Grizzlies: 204 games, 15.8 ppg, 1.2 apg

Career stats: 204 games, 15.8 ppg, 1.2 apg

The buzz: Jackson suffered a deep bruise to his right thigh in March 2019, then came back the following season when he scored a career-high 43 points. In August 2020 he tore the meniscus in his left knee and returned last season to record 177 blocks and be named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team.

2019: Ja Morant 

Drafted: No. 2 overall

Stats with the Grizzlies: 187 games, 21.2 ppg, 7.1 apg

Career stats: 187 games, 21.2 ppg, 7.1 apg

The buzz: Morant has become the face of Memphis basketball. The 2019-2020 season started with Morant signing a $39.6 million four year contract and ended with Morant being named NBA Rookie of the Year. In 2021, Morant led the Grizzlies to their first playoff appearance in four seasons and scored 47 points against the Utah Jazz. In 2022, Morant earned a spot in the All-Star game and later led the Grizzlies to the second round of the playoffs.

2021: Trey Murphy III

Drafted: No. 17 overall

Stats with the Grizzlies: 0 games, 0 ppg, 0 apg (traded to New Orleans Pelicans)

Career stats: 62 games, 5.4 ppg, 0.6 apg

The buzz: Murphy III was traded to the Pelicans before he was able to suit up for the Grizzlies. He signed a two-way contract with Pelicans’ NBA G League affiliate Birmingham Squadron in January 2022. He scored 14 second-half points against the L.A. Clippers in a play-in win that sent toe Pelicans to the playoffs.