MEMPHIS, TN – APRIL 19: A Spalding basketball sits on the court in the first half of Game One between the Portland Trailblazers and the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the 2015 NBA Playoffs at FedExForum on April 19, 2015 in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
Well that didn’t take long. After a week of highlight reels in NBA Summer League play with the Memphis Grizzlies, former Tennessee basketball forward Yves Pons no longer needs to worry about the fact that he wasn’t drafted.
The Griz announced the signing of the 6’6″ 205-pound wing Monday. His signing follows Keon Johnson and Jaden Springer, who were first-round draft picks, landing with the Los Angeles Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers respectively.
Pons’ signing comes after a slew of highlights and some solid performances during the Salt Lake City Summer League games last week. He hasn’t yet played in the official NBA Summer League games in Las Vegas, Nev. that began last Saturday. We wrote about the highlights he put on in his first game last week.
In those three Salt Lake City games, Pons averaged seven and a half points. However, to the surprise of nobody from Rocky Top who has followed him, the 2019-2020 SEC Defensive Player of the Year had two blocks in two of the games.
Still, by signing with Memphis, Pons is the biggest winner of the summer so far among former Vols. Sure, Springer and Johnson initially had more security by being first-round draft picks. However, we wrote after the draft about why Pons had the best landing spot by joining Memphis.
Well, by actually getting the security of the signing, Pons is in the best position of the three. Memphis is looking for a defensive specialist on the wing who can play at the three or even at the four despite being undersized, and Pons could provide that immediately.
Add in the fact that Pons’ signing is based on his on-court performance so far more than just draft potential, and he is going to an NBA team that sees clear value in him. Simply put, with this signing, Pons is in a great position. He is the winner of the NBA Summer League so far.