Memphis sharpshooter threw out the primary pitch at Grizzlies Day and shared his pleasure concerning the crew chemistry, rookies and aggressive spirit earlier than apply
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Luke Kennard stepped onto the mound at AutoZone Park Saturday evening, reminiscing about his childhood taking part in baseball. After a short second of reflection, he threw a right-hander cursor on the plate.
Kennard, who performed baseball as a baby, hadn’t thrown a baseball shortly, so he took a number of apply pitches earlier than throwing the ceremonial first pitch.
“I shocked myself somewhat bit, I’m not going to lie,” Kennard mentioned. “However no, it was good. It was good. I feel it was a catch. So something excessive, I’ll stay with it.”
Kennard was the spotlight of the Grizzlies’ day on the Redbirds recreation. Followers lined up hours earlier than the gates opened for an opportunity to satisfy the Grizzlies sharpshooter and get his autograph.
The total-back fortunately signed caps, jerseys and posters earlier than heading out onto the pitch.
Whereas the Memphis Redbirds’ season ends at this time, Kennard’s seventh NBA season will start Oct. 1 when the Grizzlies open coaching camp in Nashville.
Kennard, who not too long ago turned a father, spent a lot of the summer season in Memphis with a number of of his teammates.
“Lots of people are on the town proper now,” Kennard mentioned. “We’re coaching, we’re seeing one another, we’re hanging out, we’re spending numerous time collectively. All people’s excited to get again on the sector. It’s going to be a fantastic 12 months. We’re wanting ahead to it. All people’s pushing themselves. It’s going to be enjoyable.”
After an injury-plagued season, Memphis has retooled for the upcoming 12 months. Ja Morant has been cleared to take part in all basketball actions and the Grizzlies boast a proficient draft class, together with Zach Edey, Jaylen Wells and Cam Spencer.
Edey, particularly, has generated buzz, and Kennard mentioned the rookie has impressed his teammates.
“Large Zach shocked lots of people,” Kennard mentioned. “We’re excited to see what he can do and the way he may also help us this 12 months.”
Kennard can also be excited to play alongside fellow snipers Spencer and Wells.
“All these younger guys are actually good shooters, excessive IQ gamers, and it will be enjoyable to have them on the crew,” he mentioned.
The Grizzlies held five-on-five practices, and Kennard famous the aggressive environment.
“All people’s coming in with the appropriate mindset,” he mentioned. “We haven’t even began coaching camp but, and the competitiveness and willingness to simply speak to one another about how we need to method this season is one thing I’ve by no means seen earlier than. We’re pushing one another and actually preventing arduous, and I feel that’s going to take us a good distance.”
The 2024-25 season marks Kennard’s seventh 12 months within the NBA and his second full season with Memphis. He mentioned he’s centered on sustaining his function as a precision shooter and creating area on the courtroom.
The Grizzlies additionally employed six new assistant coaches for the upcoming season. Kennard mentioned the employees is incorporating “new issues” because it “tries to determine methods to play.”
The Grizzlies will start preseason play in Dallas on Oct. 7.
