The Memphis Grizzlies have seen
significant contributions this season from two unexpected sources
in guard Scotty Pippen Jr. and center Jay Huff. Once teammates on
the Los Angeles Lakers’ bench and in the G League, Huff and Pippen
Jr. have now found a place to thrive in Memphis, proving to be
reliable pieces for the Grizzlies off the bench. 

Jay Huff, a 7-foot center, first
made his mark at the University of Virginia. Known for his
shot-blocking abilities and efficient shooting from the outside,
Huff helped anchor Virginia’s defense, contributing to their
reputation as one of the toughest defensive teams in the NCAA.
Despite these strengths, he went undrafted in 2021, eventually
signing a two-way contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Huff spent
much of his time with the Lakers’ G League affiliate, the South Bay
Lakers, where he continued to develop his rim protection and
shooting touch. He also spent some time with the summer league team
of the Orlando Magic, where he had a solid outing that led Memphis
to pick him up in the offseason.

Scotty Pippen Jr., son of Hall
of Famer Scottie Pippen, also found his path through the G League
after going undrafted out of Vanderbilt. At Vanderbilt, he
displayed his playmaking skills, leading his team in scoring and
assists. However, like Huff, he wasn’t initially picked in the NBA
draft and signed with the Lakers on a two-way contract, also
playing for the South Bay Lakers. 

Both players took full advantage
of their time in the G League, honing their skills and awaiting a
chance to make a larger impact in the NBA. However, both sides did
not pan out and LA chose to release both guys.

Now with the Memphis Grizzlies,
both Huff and Pippen Jr. are seizing their opportunities. Huff’s
defensive presence has been particularly impactful, providing
Memphis with a much-needed shot-blocker off the bench. His ability
to protect the paint has been a welcome addition, especially with
injuries affecting some of Memphis’s key frontcourt players. Huff’s
height and defensive instincts make him a tough matchup in the
paint, where he averages close to 2 blocks per game
(1.9).

He’s also shown an impressive
shooting efficiency, both from the field and beyond the arc,
allowing Memphis to space the floor even with a big man on the
court. Huff is a scorching hot 48 percent on his threes, as he
became one of the best shooting big men in the league this early
into the season. One of his standout performances included an
18-point game, underscoring his scoring potential when given the
opportunity.

Pippen Jr., meanwhile, is
thriving in his role as a playmaker and secondary ball-handler. His
passing has helped stabilize Memphis’s second unit, and he has
displayed the ability to score in bursts when needed. Recently, he
logged a double-double, finishing with 11 points and 11 assists—a
testament to his growth as a floor general. Pippen Jr. is averaging
career highs across the board with 12.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, and
6.5 assists. His court vision, combined with his knack for finding
open teammates, has made him an essential part of Memphis’s bench
rotation, providing valuable relief minutes and keeping the offense
fluid while the starters rest.

Both Huff and Pippen Jr. have
found in Memphis what they couldn’t quite establish in Los
Angeles—a defined role that plays to their strengths. Huff’s
defensive skill set and shooting from the 5 position complements
Memphis’s hard-nosed, physical style on defense and a driving,
paint-oriented style on offense as he spaces the floor well, while
Pippen Jr.’s playmaking and scoring ability off the bench provide
depth to the Grizzlies’ backcourt. This fit speaks to the patience
and persistence both players exhibited in the G League and in
limited NBA minutes until their breakthrough moments
arrived.

Their success also highlights
the value of the G League as a development pipeline. Both Huff and
Pippen Jr. used their time in the G League to fine-tune their
skills and stay prepared for NBA call-ups. Now that they have
regular minutes, they are proving that their time in the
development league wasn’t wasted; it prepared them to thrive when
the moment finally came. Huff’s ability to anchor the paint and
contribute scoring when needed, along with Pippen Jr.’s floor
leadership, are assets Memphis has needed this season.

Their journeys reflect the
resilience and adaptability required to break through in the NBA,
going from college standouts to the G League, and now to productive
roles in the league. They found themselves fighting for
recognition, and have now established themselves as reliable and
effective pieces in Memphis’s rotation. This is a reminder of how
hard work can translate to real NBA success. For the Grizzlies,
Huff and Pippen Jr. are proving that sometimes, the best additions
come from players who just needed a chance to shine.