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A new era of Memphis Grizzlies basketball is underway.
The Grizzlies introduced their three picks from the 2026 NBA Draft — Cam Boozer (No. 3 overall), Karim López (No. 21 overall) and Richie Saunders (No. 32 overall) — at a press conference at FedExForum on June 25. Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman and coach Tuomas Iisalo also spoke at the event, and both were clearly very excited about the direction the team is headed in.

“When we’re thinking about the type of individuals that embody this team, this organization, this city, you’re looking at them,” Kleiman said. “They speak for themselves. The professionalism comes through. These guys are all focused on winning, at the end of the day. That’s what it all flows from.”
The Grizzlies are still in the midst of a significant roster overhaul. Ja Morant’s name didn’t get mentioned a single time during the press conference, but he’s still on the Grizzlies’ roster after the draft as Memphis continues to field trade offers for him. Boozer, meanwhile, looks like a core piece of a Grizzlies team that has plenty of young players, including Cedric Coward, Zach Edey and Jaylen Wells.
Boozer’s fit next to Edey looks like an optimal long-term frontcourt pairing.
“I mean, he’s huge,” Boozer deadpanned, about the 7-foot-3 Edey.

Here’s what we learned at the introductory press conference.

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Grizzlies 2026 draft picks Karim Lopez, Cameron Boozer and Richie Saunders hold up their Memphis Grizzlies jerseys after their inaugural press conference at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on June 25, 2026.
(Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)

Boozer was the Naismith Player of the Year after a terrific freshman season at Duke, but he went after BYU’s AJ Dybantsa and Kansas’ Darryn Peterson in the draft. He’s been in the spotlight for a while, especially because his dad is former NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer.
“I’ve had a target on my back my whole career,” Boozer said. “I’ve been one of the top players in the country in my class for four or five years now. So I wouldn’t say it’s intimidating. But obviously it’s a new level. I’d say it’s more exciting. I think it’s a new opportunity to face a new challenge. For me, I want to be a great player. I want to be one of the greatest players to play the game.”

And Boozer’s confidence was more than apparent when he was asked if he’s prepared to be the face of the Grizzlies’ franchise.
“I think going to Duke really helped me prepare for this,” he said. “At Duke, you’re playing on one of the biggest stages in college basketball, probably the biggest stage. You’re playing in big games every night. You’re playing other top players every night. And for me, I’ve been the best player on my team my whole life. Not saying I’m going to come in and walk in and be the best player, but being a big-time player is not something that’s new to me.”
Iisalo confirmed that both Boozer and Lopez — who played last season with the New Zealand Breakers of the NBL — will play on the Grizzlies’ summer league team. Saunders, who tore his ACL in February, is still in the midst of his rehab.

“I’ve been just so focused on getting better and having a great foundation from a knee standpoint,” Saunders said. “It’s been a grind. It’s been work. That’s what I’ve done my whole career is work. It’s been in a different, more focused way, but it’s been work. And I’m just grateful to be here. Grateful to finish my rehab here.”
When he does get on the floor for Memphis, he’ll be in a unique position. Saunders played four years of college basketball after serving a mission, so he’s already 24. Boozer is 18. López is 19. GG Jackson is going into his third year with the Grizzlies and is 21.
“As a rookie, it’s funny to say ‘my young teammates,’ Saunders said. “But that’s what it is.”
Iisalo smiled before answering a question about how Boozer projects as an NBA player.

“He does everything basically on the court,” Iisalo said. “He can create mismatches in the post, he scores out of transition, he is an excellent shooter and mover without the ball. He can screen, he can handle himself. So there’s really everything you would need for an offensive guy. And I think that’s the big thing with him is just to utilize also his high basketball IQ, his decision-making, his ability to also get teammates on the same page. Cam’s biggest attribute is the fact that he makes the team win.”
Kleiman said he’s focused on building a Grizzlies team with a clear identity, alluding to a draft-night trade that will reportedly bring Pistons center Isaiah Stewart to the Grizzlies as part of that plan.
“There’s a pending transaction we can’t comment on that I think’s also an outstanding DNA fit for what we’re about,” Kleiman said. “We’re going to be physically tough. We’re going to be tough-minded.”
Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at jonah.dylan@commercialappeal.com or on X @thejonahdylan.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: What we learned about Cam Boozer, Grizzlies’ future at draft press conference
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