The Memphis Grizzlies will gain an extra roster spot (Suspended Exemption List) after their first five games into this season to replace the suspended Ja Morant until his full 25-game suspension ends. A lot of chatter within the fanbase has ensued over who the Grizzlies could sign for that spot, but the answer might already be on their roster in two-way guard Jacob Gilyard. Obviously, with the news on Sunday that Steven Adams will miss the entire season due to knee surgery, the team will likely use that roster spot for another big. However, the point guard position is still of importance in the absence of Ja Morant.
Marcus Smart will begin the season as the starting point guard, with Derrick Rose as the backup and Desmond Bane as the secondary ball handler in spot duties. Considering the nature of Marcus Smart being more of a combo guard and Derrick Rose’s injury history and age, the possibility for Jacob Gilyard to get an opportunity as a call-up from the Memphis Hustle is likely. The second-year undrafted Point Guard who led the G League in total assists and assists per game last season with the Memphis Hustle provides value as a true pass-first point guard who won’t mess up the team’s chemistry if and when his number is called.
After a successful college career that included breaking Richmond’s freshman assist record, becoming the first NCAA Division I freshman to reach 80 steals since his current teammate, Marcus Smart (2013), in 2017, and winning the Atlantic-10 Conference Defensive Player of the Year award in 2019, Jacob Gilyard went undrafted in the 2022 NBA Draft.
Upon going undrafted in the 2022 NBA Draft, the 5’9″ point guard out of Richmond signed 2022 NBA Summer League deals with the Golden State Warriors to play in the California Summer League and the Minnesota Timberwolves to play in the Las Vegas Summer League before signing with the Memphis Grizzlies training camp roster on September 23, 2022.
Jacob Gilyard played one preseason game for the Memphis Grizzlies in 2022 before being named to their G-League affiliate’s (Memphis Hustle) roster on November 4, 2022. From there, Gilyard made a name for himself as he started 13 of 18 Memphis Hustle Showcase Cup games in which he averaged 9.1 points, 7.4 assists, and 1.7 steals while shooting 44% from the field and 30.5% from three on four attempts per game in 30 minutes per game. His Showcase Cup performance offered him a prime opportunity to remain the starting point guard for the Hustle throughout the rest of their season.
He started 25 of the Hustle’s 31 Regular Season games, where his points per game (8.3) and field goal percentage (42%) took a small dip, but his three-point shooting improved (41% on 4.4 attempts per game) as well as his assists (9.8) and steals (1.8) per game.
The stat that really jumps out is his assist-to-turnover ratio, which was 4.5, meaning he produced an assist on nearly five passes for every turnover he had. That sounds a lot like former Memphis Grizzlies point guard Tyus Jones, who led the NBA in assist-to-turnover ratio the past four seasons (five seasons including his time with the Minnesota Timberwolves), including a high of 6.4 in the 2021-2022 season while with the Grizzlies (7.0 in 2018-2019 with the Timberwolves).
Jacob Gilyard ended his rookie season with the Hustle, scoring 16 points, dishing out ten assists, and recording two steals in their lone playoff game before being promoted to the Memphis Grizzlies on a two-way contract on April 8, 2023. Gilyard made his NBA debut on the final game of the 2022-2023 season against the Oklahoma City Thunder, finishing with three points, seven assists, and three steals in 41 minutes played. After starting six games for the Grizzlies 2023 Summer League team, where he averaged 6.5 points, 6.5 assists, and 2.7 steals on 48% shooting, including 50% from three, Gilyard remained on the two-way contract entering this season for the Grizzlies.
On Grizzlies Media Day, I asked Jacob Gilyard if he foresees himself solidifying a role on the Grizzlies this season, and he said the first 25 games would be realistic and opportunistic for him with Ja Morant being out, but of course, that is the personal goal for him this season.
He followed that up with a solid preseason outing as he has showcased the same defensive tenacity and point guard skills on offense that he has displayed throughout his college and pro-playing career up to this point. In five preseason games, he has averaged 3.4 points, 5.4 assists, and 1.4 steals while shooting 38.5% from three in 18 minutes per game.
Obviously, Jacob Gilyard has a height disadvantage, being 5’9″, but he makes up for it with his high IQ on both ends of the court. He will not make many mistakes, so you can expect him to be in his right position almost always, whether he is handling the ball, moving without the ball, or making hustle plays on the defensive end. As stated earlier, with Ja Morant missing 25 games and Derrick Rose’s potential rest schedule, expect Gilyard to get some opportunities in live regular season game action. When he gets the opportunity, expect a player who will relish the opportunity and deliver what is asked of him when his moment is presented.