Zach Randolph in limelight as 1st Grizzlies player inducted in Memphis Sports Hall of Fame

Posted by Admin October 17, 2024 Sports

Memphis Grizzlies great Zach Randolph stood in front of a group of cameras, the lights beaming right on to his forehead while he talked about his latest accomplishment.

Excuse me, Zach!

Marcus “Head” Howell, who co-founded the NLess Entertainment record label with Randolph, stepped in with a handful of black napkins to give the sweating, 6-foot-9 Randolph.

“You know I be hot under these lights,” Randolph responded.

That might be one of the few times the lights were too bright for Randolph, who was enshrined in the Memphis Sports Hall of Fame on Wednesday evening at the Renasant Convention Center.

Randolph, who learned he was selected to the Hall at halftime of a Memphis game last season, is the first former Grizzlies player to receive the honor. He joins former Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley and former coach Lionel Hollins as representatives from the organization.

“Man, it’s a great honor,” Randolph said. “I’m grateful. I love this city.”

He was joined by 10 other inductees in the 2024 class, including Pro Football Hall of Famer Reggie White, Memphis Tigers basketball great Andre Turner and broadcast legend Jarvis Greer.

Kevin Kane, president and CEO of Memphis Tourism, said more former Grizzlies players should be joining Randolph in the Hall soon — specifically, the other members of the “Core Four,” with Tony Allen, Mike Conley and Marc Gasol.

Allen was in attendance with Randolph on Wednesday. The two played seven seasons together in Memphis, and Allen had a better seat than most witnessing the impact Randolph had not only on the floor, but off of it.

“One of the things he’s going to do is he’s going to show his love in the community,” Allen said. “He’s going to come back to the less fortunate. He’s going to cover the places where you don’t expect to see most celebrities at.”

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Randolph, in a 17-year NBA career, played eight seasons with the Grizzlies (2009 to 2017), and in that time, he led them to seven consecutive playoff runs and became a two-time All-Star.

Since retiring, he still has his imprints on Memphis. Along with his record label, he works for the Grizzlies’ organization.

“I love this community, I love the people here,” Randolph, an Indiana native, said. “This is home for me.”

Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.