DJ Stephens was notorious for his thunderous dunks at FedEx Forum during his basketball career as a Memphis Tiger. After playing in France last season, Stephens signed a two-way contract earlier this week with the Memphis Grizzlies. Now, he is back in the Bluff City and looking forward to playing in front of the home crowd.
“It means a lot to me to play professionally in the same city I played college ball,” Stephens said. “I’ve lived a fair amount of my life here. I have a huge following here, and it feels like my second home. So I’m comfortable here.”
Although Stephens is originally from central Texas, he committed to the University of Memphis in 2009 under then-head coach Josh Pastner. Since leaving Memphis, he went undrafted and played professionally overseas. Even when he was thousands of miles away, he still kept tabs on the Tigers and still does to this day. Stephens said he is pleased with what he has seen so far from head coach Penny Hardaway, but said it takes time to rebuild.
“I mean, it’s a little early to say it (the Memphis basketball program) is back in prime position,” Stephens said. “It’s good that it looks like the program is turning around, and the things Penny has done up to this point have been great, but the season hasn’t started yet. You don’t really know what the team looks like until they start playing.”
Stephens said he is optimistic and hopes things continue to improve for the Tigers. This year, Memphis is adding incoming freshman guards Tyler Harris and Alex Lomax. Stephens said he thinks the newcomers will be able to contribute and help the team win.
“I feel like they (Lomax and Harris) will be good additions to the team,” Stephens said. “They have a lot of talent over there, and I feel like Penny has a great coaching staff that’s only going to help all those guys get better and steer them in the right direction.”
In addition to the new guys, the Tigers will have their senior guard Jeremiah Martin, who is returning from being injured last season after recently having hernia surgery. Stephens said only good things will come for the team when the Tigers have their leader back on the court.
“Jeremiah brings a lot to the table,” Stephens said. “He contributes to the team in so many different ways. He can score the ball. He defends. He plays hard. He’s scrappy, and he’s pretty much everything you want your guard to be. And he is a Memphian and a real competitor.”
When Stephens is not checking in on the Tigers, he is focused and locked in on his new opportunity with the Grizzlies. Since Stephens went to school in town, he is now seeing familiar faces in his new locker room as he plays alongside guys like Mike Conley and Marc Gasol.
“It’s a great feeling because I’ve known those guys since I played at the University of Memphis,” Stephens said. “And it was a dope feeling when I got back, and they were happy I was on the team and welcomed me back. It was kind of a ‘wow’ type of moment.”
Stephens knows there is still a long journey ahead of him. Being on a two-way contract is the first step to him getting his foot in the door. However, the end goal for him is having a long career playing in the NBA. He is determined to show his worth to his new team.
“Pretty much, I just got to continue to get better,” Stephens said. “I have to continue to prove that I belong here and just help my team win.”
Zach Thompson also contributed to this story.
