Olivier Sarr joins Memphis Grizzlies for NBA Summer League

The Memphis Grizzlies are giving Olivier Sarr a shot this summer.

After going undrafted in Thursday evening’s NBA Draft, Sarr will be joining the Grizzlies for the Summer League in August.

ESPN’s Jonathan Givony was the first to break the news.

Kentucky big man Olivier Sarr will join the Memphis Grizzlies summer league roster, a source told ESPN.

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) July 31, 2021

Sarr was the lone draft-eligible Wildcat to not hear his name called on Thursday, with Isaiah Jackson coming off the board at No. 22 overall and BJ Boston taken No. 51 overall. After several draft-day trades for each, the former ended up with the Indiana Pacers while the latter will be suiting up for the Los Angeles Clippers. The late Terrence Clarke was also selected as an honorary draft pick by the NBA between the 14th and 15th picks.

Following the draft, UK head coach John Calipari said he was “disappointed” that Sarr did not hear his name called on draft night, but believes the team taking a chance on him as an undrafted free agent will be getting a “steal.”

It appears that team will be the Grizzlies.

“I am disappointed for Olivier that he did not get selected tonight, but not discouraged,” Calipari said. “Olivier is a mature kid with great skills and range for a player his size. With the right opportunity, I think Olivier is going to find a spot and will have a successful career. I am looking forward to seeing who gets him because it will be a steal.”

The 7-foot center concluded his senior season with 934 career points, 626 rebounds and 111 blocked shots. During his lone season at Kentucky, Sarr averaged 10.8 points and 5.2 rebounds, finishing with a team-high-tying two games with 20 or more points and notching a team-high three double-doubles on the season. He ranked third on the team in scoring and third in rebounding, scored in double figures in 14 games, made a career-high 12 3-pointers on a career-best 46.2% clip, shot a career-high 79.1% (72 of 91) from the free-throw line, dished out a career-high 32 assists, and led the team in blocks in eight games, rebounding four times, scoring in three games and in steals once.

Sarr will now take his talents to Memphis for the NBA Summer League, which is set to take place Aug. 8-17 in Las Vegas. All 75 games of the 10-day competition will air live on television on ESPN networks or NBA TV. Every game will also be available to stream on the ESPN App.