Grizzlies to retire Tony Allen's jersey next season
Another member of the Memphis Grizzlies “core four” is expected to receive an upcoming jersey retirement ceremony. The Grizzlies are planning to retire Tony Allen’s jersey during the 2024-25 season, the former All-NBA defender told The Commercial Appeal. Allen would be the third Grizzlies player with a jersey in the rafters, joining Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph. “Yeah, they told me next year I’m going to get my jersey retired,” Allen said.
Source: Memphis Commercial Appeal
Source: Memphis Commercial Appeal
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The Grizzlies are also expected to begin filming a documentary soon that will go back to Allen’s roots of growing up in Chicago. That documentary is expected to be released around the time of Allen’s ceremony. A date has not been set yet for the 2024-25 season. “I’m looking forward to it,” Allen said. “Hopefully, I have a box of tissue with me.” -via Memphis Commercial Appeal / May 7, 2024
With his former teammates Randolph, Mike Conley, and Tony Allen in attendance, with whom he made seven straight playoff appearances, Gasol gave a touching speech thanking them, the city of Memphis, and the Grizzlies organization. “Back when I was 19 years old, I used to play the game like many kids today. I used to imagine I was Michael Jordan with a fadeaway, Larry Bird with the three, or Magic Johnson with a no-look pass. And 25 years later, I imagine how Tony Allen would approach this defensive assignment against the best player on the other team and what his mindset would be. How is Z-Bo going to take over this stretch of the game and be a beast on the block, and through it all, how is Mike Conley going to keep it all together? When I was able to accomplish my biggest goal—winning an NBA ring—these three guys, who meant so much to me along the way, were right there with me. For that and many other reasons, thank you. I’ll be thankful forever, and grit and grind,” Gasol said. -via EuroHoops.net / April 7, 2024
Damichael Cole: It’s only right that Marc Gasol is accompanied to the court for his jersey retirement ceremony by the other three members of the “Core 4” 🔥 pic.twitter.com/HQKL5E1pLi -via Twitter @DamichaelC / April 6, 2024