MEMPHIS, Tenn. — We are a few weeks away from seeing players like GG Jackson, Scotty Pippen Jr., first-round draft pick Zach Edey, and others compete in the NBA Summer League. One of the players on the Grizzlies’ Summer League roster is a local kid who Memphis Tigers fans will remember well.
“All glory to God. Without God, I wouldn’t be here,” Jeffries said. “There have been a lot of trials and tribulations, but I just kept going, kept pushing, and now I’ve got this wonderful opportunity, so I just have to make the best of it.”
Olive Branch native DJ Jeffries signed a Summer League deal with the Memphis Grizzlies and is living out his childhood dream.
After working out with multiple NBA teams over the last month, Jeffries got a call that changed his life. Instead of celebrating, he went straight back to preparing for Vegas.
“Once I got that phone call, it gave me a sense of motivation,” Jeffries said. “I got up, he called me, I went to go run the track. I’ve just been doing little things, just keeping my body ready and being prepared for this opportunity.”
The 6-foot-7 Jeffries was a five-star prospect at Olive Branch High School. He initially committed to Kentucky before joining Penny Hardaway’s No. 1 recruiting class in 2019. He spent two seasons at Memphis, averaging 10.3 points and 4.8 rebounds before making the difficult decision to transfer south to Mississippi State in 2021.
“It was tough because you had to leave a lot of things you were familiar with, even though it wasn’t that far,” Jeffries said.
Jeffries played three seasons in Starkville, averaging 8.0 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. Then NBA teams like Memphis, Charlotte, and Houston started calling for draft workouts.
“Honestly, coming out of college, I didn’t expect to get as many as I got,” Jeffries said. “It was an unbelievable feeling just going in there and realizing that you’re an NBA player for a day.”
The proud uncle wants to use this opportunity to achieve his goal of seeing his name in an NBA locker room.
“It would mean the world to me because you can work your way up to the main roster,” Jeffries said. “If you go and prove yourself, you can make your way up to the main roster, and that’s every kid’s dream.”
Jeffries also wants to thank his family for all the sacrifices they have made for him along the way.
Jeffries and the Grizzlies will begin their NBA Summer league campaign on July 9 in the 2024 Salt Lake City SL against the Utah Jazz.
The NBA 2K25 Summer league begins on July 12 and runs through July 24 in Las Vegas, NV.