Roster

No. Player Pos Ht Wt Birth Date Exp College
3 Shareef Abdur-Rahim PF 6-9 225 December 11, 1976 R University of California
2 Greg Anthony PG 6-0 176 November 15, 1967 5 University of Nevada, Las Vegas
33 Pete Chilcutt PF 6-10 230 September 14, 1968 5 University of North Carolina
30 Blue Edwards SF 6-4 200 October 31, 1965 7 East Carolina University
55 Eric Leckner C 6-11 265 May 27, 1966 7 University of Wyoming
34 George Lynch SF 6-8 218 September 3, 1970 3 University of North Carolina
15 Rich Manning PF 6-11 253 June 23, 1970 1 University of Washington
11 Lee Mayberry PG 6-1 172 June 12, 1970 4 University of Arkansas
52 Eric Mobley C 6-11 235 February 1, 1970 2 University of Pittsburgh
21 Lawrence Moten SG 6-5 185 March 25, 1972 1 Syracuse University
10 Moochie Norris PG 6-1 175 July 27, 1973 R University of West Florida
7 Anthony Peeler SG 6-4 208 November 25, 1969 4 University of Missouri
50 Bryant Reeves C 7-0 275 June 8, 1973 1 Oklahoma State University
5 Chris Robinson SG 6-5 200 April 2, 1974 R Western Kentucky University
44 Roy Rogers PF 6-10 235 August 19, 1973 R University of Alabama
15 Aaron Williams PF 6-9 220 October 2, 1971 2 Xavier University

Transactions

-June 26/96: With 3rd pick in NBA entry draft, the Grizzlies chose Shareef Abdur-Rahim from California, a 6-9 forward thought to have the biggest upside of all players in the draft. As a freshman at California, he was among leaders in Pac 10 conference in steals and blocks and averaged 21.1 ppg. With 22nd pick overall in the first round (acquired from Houston), the Grizzlies selected Roy Rogers from Alabama. With the 51st pick (2nd round, acquired from Houston), the Grizzlies select guard Chris Robinson from Western Kentucky.

-June 30/96: Exercise buyout option for Gerald Wilkins to void the remainder of his contract.

-July 1/96: Andrew Amaya, Anthony Avent, Chris King, Rich Manning, Cuonzo Martin, Eric Murdock and Gerald Wilkins become free agents.

-July 16/96: Trade 2nd round picks in 1998 and 1999 drafts to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Peeler, George Lynch and 2nd-round draft picks in 1998 and 1999. Renounce the rights to free agents Ashraf Amaya, Anthony Avent, Chris King, Counzo Martin, Eric Murdock, Derrick Phelps and Rodney Dent.

-July 22/96: Sign free agent Lee Mayberry to a four-year contract worth $7.8-million but to make room under the salary cap, Vancouver waives Byron Scott after 13 seasons in the NBA (10 with Lakers, two with Pacers and one with Grizzlies). Mayberry signed from four-year stint with Milwaukee Bucks. A first round pick, 23rd overall in 1992 from Arkansas. “I chose Vancouver because of the city and the organization,” said Mayberry, who averaged 5.4 ppg and 3.3 apg in four NBA seasons. Waive Byron Scott.

-August 6/96: Sign Shareef Abdur-Rahim to a multi-year contract.

-August 14/96: Sign Roy Rogers Jr. to a multi-year contract.

-October 2/96: Sign Chucky Atkins and Jack Lothian to short-term contracts. Sign Rich Manning to a contract.

-October 3/96: Sign Chris Robinson to a contract.

-October 21/96: Waive Jack Lothian and Chucky Atkins

-October 31/96: Waive Tim Breaux.

-December 12/96: Sign Moochie Norris to a short-term contract.

-December 30/96: Waive Moochie Norris.

-January 6/97: Waive Rich Manning.

-January 29/97: Sign Aaron Williams to a consecutive pair of 10-day contracts and then for the remainder of the season.

-February 10/97: Sign Eric Leckner to a consecutive pair of 10-day contracts and then for the remainder of the season.

Grizzlies 1996-97 Player Stats at basketballreference.com

Salaries

1 Shareef Abdur-Rahim $2,186,000
2 Blue Edwards $2,100,000
3 George Lynch $2,090,000
4 Greg Anthony $1,875,000
5 Bryant Reeves $1,695,000
6 Anthony Peeler $1,540,000
7 Lee Mayberry $1,100,000
8 Eric Mobley $992,000
9 Pete Chilcutt $700,000
10 Roy Rogers $664,000
11 Lawrence Moten $321,000
12 Doug Edwards $247,500
13 Rich Manning $247,500
14 Chris Robinson $220,000

Season wrap

Grizz finish 14-68. Abdur Rahim averaged 18.7 ppg as a rookie. Average attendance 16,571.