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Memphis Grizzlies: 25 Best To Play For The Grizzlies

By Phil Watson

Apr 22, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; General view of towels on the seats prior to the San Antonio Spurs at the Memphis Grizzlies in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 22, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; General view of towels on the seats prior to the San Antonio Spurs at the Memphis Grizzlies in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /
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NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 19: Vancouver Grizzlies Bryant Reeves(L) drives to the basket under New York Knicks Patrick Ewing during first half action 19 November. AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read MARK D. PHILLIPS/AFP/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 19: Vancouver Grizzlies Bryant Reeves(L) drives to the basket under New York Knicks Patrick Ewing during first half action 19 November. (MARK D. PHILLIPS/AFP/Getty Images) /

player. 211. <strong>How acquired:</strong> 6th overall pick from Oklahoma State, 1995 NBA Draft.. C. 1995-2001. Bryant Reeves. 23

The expansion Vancouver Grizzlies won a coin flip with their fellow newcomers, the Toronto Raptors, and opted to take the sixth overall pick in the NBA Draft and allow the Raptors the first selection in the expansion draft.

When the NBA Draft rolled around, the Grizzlies settled on 7-foot behemoth Bryant Reeves, a two-time All-American at Oklahoma State who averaged 21.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game as a senior.

MEM_23_REEVES
MEM_23_REEVES /

Reeves was relatively productive as a rookie, averaging 13.3 points and 7.4 rebounds a game and earning second-team All-Rookie honors.

The problem for Big Country was health. He battled knee, back and shoulder problems throughout his career.

He was with the Grizzlies when they moved to Memphis in 2001, but never played for them following the move. Reeves missed the beginning of the 2001-02 season before retiring in January 2002 because of a chronic degenerative disc in his back.

Never a player blessed with much quickness, the knee and back problems robbed him of what mobility he had and his play suffered.

In six seasons with Vancouver, Reeves averaged 12.5 points and 6.9 rebounds in 30.6 minutes per game, never appearing in more than 77 games in a season and shooting .475/.074/.703.

In retirement, Reeves returned to his small hometown of Gans, Okla., where he owns a large cattle ranch.

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