Memphis Grizzlies rookie Karim Lopez said fellow first-year player Carson Cooper told him he had been practicing for his big dance moment for an hour a day before the team’s open practice for fans on Oct. 4 at FedExForum.
Cooper was the first player up in the team’s annual rookie dance-off competition. Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” blasted through the arena speakers as Cooper delivered his best Jackson impersonation.
“Carson got pretty deep into his bag there,” Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo said. “That was cool to see.”
Open practice gave fans their first up-close look at the 2026-27 Grizzlies roster. Players participated in shooting drills and competitions while interacting with the crowd.
Grizzlies players in on fun
In the first competition, Olivier-Maxence Prosper beat Lopez
to win the skills challenge. Kris Murray, Javon Small, Walter Clayton Jr., Cam Spencer and Taylor Hendricks were among the other participants.
Two Grizzlies players teamed up to make 20 3-pointers while racing against another duo at the opposite basket. Small and Clayton won the team 3-point shooting competition.
Lopez, Cam Boozer, GG Jackson, Jaylen Wells, Cedric Coward and Cam Spencer were among the other participants.
3–point team competition is underway
— Damichael Cole (@DamichaelC) October 4, 2026
GG Jackson & Jaylen Wells vs Cedric Coward & Cam Spencer
First pair to 20 3s
Wells and Jackson won comfortably. pic.twitter.com/WVNP1UgHcb
The team also participated in a shooting challenge that required players to make shots from certain areas of the floor before finishing with a half-court shot. Newcomers Quinten Post and Jerami Grant won that one.
“It was definitely great,” Lopez said. “I’m definitely looking forward to the first preseason game, and then the opening night.”
Zach Edey injury update
Zach Edey participated in open practice activities as the Grizzlies continue to monitor his progress and usage throughout the preseason.
The Grizzlies have fully cleared Edey, and he remains on track in his recovery. However, his chances of playing in the preseason remain murky at best. He is not expected to play against the Atlanta Hawks on Oct. 5.
“He’s still on the same path, like we’ve said,” Iisalo said. “Looking good for the start of the regular season. If he does play in the preseason, that designation will be made later on.”
What’s next
Memphis will head to Atlanta for its first preseason game. The Grizzlies will play four preseason games this season, with three in the next five days.
Iisalo said the team mutually decided with another team not to schedule a fifth preseason game. Instead, Memphis will evaluate where it stands after the upcoming three games, use its practices to address what it sees and then play one more preseason contest before the regular season.
Iisalo hopes to see many players on the court against the Hawks, but their minutes will be monitored carefully.
“I don’t expect any guy to really crack 20 minutes,” he said. “We have so many guys we want to see on the court, and then gradually build it up.”
Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Grizzlies' open practice brings competition, dancing and new-look roster
