The Memphis Grizzlies recalled forward/center Jarnell Stokes and guard Russ Smith from the Grizzlies’ NBA Development League affiliate, the Iowa Energy, Grizzlies General Manager Chris Wallace announced today. Stokes was assigned to Iowa on March 17 while Smith was assigned on March 23. This completes the sixth assignment to Iowa for Stokes and the third for Smith, who also had three prior stints this season with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants.
Stokes (6-9, 263) posted averages of 16.0 points on .570 shooting (45-of-79 FG) with 14.9 rebounds in 39.3 minutes in seven games with six double-doubles in his latest stint with Iowa. The 21-year-old owns season averages of 15.1 points on .617 shooting and 11.3 rebounds in 32.0 minutes with 14 double-doubles in 21 games (12 starts) for the Energy.
The Memphis native has averaged 2.7 points and 1.7 rebounds in 6.5 minutes in 17 games (two starts) during his rookie season for the Grizzlies. He was selected by the Utah Jazz in the second round (35th overall) of the 2014 NBA Draft after three seasons at the University of Tennessee (2011-14). Stokes then was traded to the Grizzlies on draft night for a 2016 second round draft pick.
Smith (6-0, 165) recorded averages of 18.0 points with 5.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.00 steals in 36.7 minutes in three games during this assignment to Iowa. The 23-year-old has averaged 19.3 points on .479 shooting with 5.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 33.1 minutes in 18 games (12 starts) for Iowa this season and has registered 18.1 points on .494 shooting with 4.3 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 30.8 minutes in 25 games (12 starts) combined for the Energy and Mad Ants this season.
The New York City native has averaged 1.4 points and 0.4 assists in 5.0 minutes in 10 games (zero starts) in his rookie season with Memphis and the New Orleans Pelicans. Drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round (47th overall) of the 2014 NBA Draft after four seasons at Louisville (2010-14), Smith was acquired by New Orleans in a draft night trade and traded to Memphis on Jan. 12.
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