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After a strong showing in the NBA Summer League, the Memphis Grizzlies have officially inked Yves Pons to a deal. The defensive specialist went undrafted in last month’s NBA Draft, but quickly found an opportunity with Memphis. Now he has a chance to make it a home.
The @memgrizz today announced that the team has signed forward Yves Pons. pic.twitter.com/HlY6NhWXsI
— Grizzlies PR (@GrizzliesPR) August 10, 2021
Welcome to the gang, @Airpons 〽️ pic.twitter.com/hiS5doIT7G
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) August 10, 2021
Pons averaged over 20 minutes per game in three Summer League contests. He scored seven points per game, while adding 2.7 rebounds. Pons shot 42 percent from three-point range, and also dazzled with a couple of very familiar looking highlight blocks.
whaaaaaaaaaaaaat did we just see @Airpons | #GrizzSummer pic.twitter.com/kJN9HE6LIJ
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) August 6, 2021
D E N I E D by @Airpons #GrizzSummer | @ESPNU pic.twitter.com/R4fcPtV3ba
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) August 6, 2021
The key for Pons going forward might be his shooting. We know what he brings athletically and defensively, but to stay on the floor in today’s league, you better be able to give something offensively. He did that in his three games in the Summer League, and he’ll have to continue to do that going forward.
Pons has real upside as a small-ball, hybrid defender, making up for his lack of length with elite athletic ability. His NBA journey will be a fascinating one to follow.