Zach Randolph spent eight seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies, earning two All-Star appearances and leading his squad to seven playoff appearances during that span.
Randolph has been one of the most important aspects for the Grizzlies turning into a perennial playoff team. Now that he’s moved on to the Sacramento Kings, the Grizzlies themselves are paying homage to the big man.
“The eight years Zach spent in the mud, in Memphis, are special,” the team said in a statement. “They are filled with franchise-defining basketball success, but they are so clearly about more than that. Every Memphian felt it and all of us believe it.”
While Randolph took primarily to a bench role this past season for Memphis, he still averaged 14.1 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. He was one of the main cogs for a team that earned a seventh consecutive postseason appearance.
It also means that no other player for the Grizzlies will be wearing Randolph’s No. 50 jersey from here on out.
“While there will be a time and place to recognize your lasting impact in Memphis, starting today, as stated earlier by Controlling Owner, Robert Pera, number 50 will never be worn by any other member of the Memphis Grizzlies,” the team noted.
That’s a tremendous honor for the team to throw Randolph’s way. He might not go down as a Hall of Famer, but Randolph’s presence in Memphis played a role in the organization becoming one of the most consistent in the Association. You can’t put a price on that.