Memphis Grizzlies: Can Michael Holyfield Make The Roster?

By Tom Firme | Aug 23, 2015

Nov 16, 2014; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Sam Houston State Bearkats center Michael Holyfield (35) passes the ball near UNLV Runnin' Rebels guard Patrick McCaw (2) during an NCAA basketball game at Thomas & Mack Center. UNLV won the game 59-57. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /

The Memphis Grizzlies signed Michael Holyfield to give the Summer League grinder a shot at the roster. An already deep roster and heavy minute loads for Grizzlies big men leaves Holyfield with a significant challenge to break in with the men on Beale Street.

The 6’11”, 260-pound center from Sam Houston State went undrafted in June before playing for the Grizzlies and Boston Celtics during summer league. Holyfield showed a nice ability to battle in the paint and fight for rebounds. He also demonstrated an understanding for anchoring himself in the post and taking entry passes.

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Holyfield had only two points, a rebound and a block in one appearance for the Celtics in Las Vegas, but posted 6.4 points and 4.2 rebounds per game while shooting 56.3 percent from the field in five contests for the Grizzlies in Orlando.

Holyfield is at a disadvantage since he was only signed to a nonguaranteed contract, as Basketball Insiders’ Eric Pincus tweeted.

Memphis Grizzlies signed MIchael Holyfield, Sam Houston St. 6-11 C, summer contract $525k, non-guaranteed limited injury prot @BBallInsiders
— Eric Pincus (@EricPincus) August 18, 2015

The Grizzlies already have 14 players on guaranteed deals, while that of JaMychal Green is partially guaranteed.

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That leaves only one spot open for which Holyfield must battle Green and anyone else the Grizzlies invite to training camp, unless they trade or waive a guaranteed player. The 25-year-old has a better chance he had a few promising moments during his 20 appearances for the Grizzlies last season.

Green scored at least eight points in four of his five games with at least nine minutes.

Green is one of six big men ahead of Holyfield in the frontcourt depth chart as it currently stands. Others behind starters Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph include Brandan Wright, Jarnell Stokes and Jarell Martin.

Playing time is difficult to earn for reserve Grizzlies frontcourt players. Gasol has played more than 33 minutes per game the past four seasons. Randolph has spent at least 32.5 minutes per game on the floor in five of his six Grizzlies campaigns.

Kosta Koufos, who was a starting quality center backing up Gasol, received only 16.6 minutes per game as the leading big man off the Memphis bench in 2014-15. Wright, who averaged 18.7 minutes per game the past three years as a gritty rebounder and pick-and-roll asset, is likely to take Koufos’ spot.

Stokes, a tough inside guy who had 9.7 rebounds per 36 minutes as a rookie, should get more than 6.6 minutes per game.

At 6’9″ and 239 pounds with a 6’9.75″ wingspan, Martin doesn’t have great size, but possesses attractive scoring ability and explosiveness. In a Draft Express scouting report, Kyle Nelson said, “Martin shows a lot of promise with his face-up game.”

Grizzlies head coach Dave Joerger likely won’t play Martin much since he’s too much of a project, but should periodically give him a chance.

Short of earning a spot in October, Holyfield stands as a reasonable candidate to land with the Iowa Energy, the Memphis Grizzlies’ NBA D-League affiliate. His size and rebounding ability should win him a role. Perhaps, Holyfield could earn a brief run in Memphis after some success with the Energy.

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