Former Utah State Star Sam Merrill Scores 30 For Grizzlies
Oct 14, 2021, 1:46 PM
Memphis Grizzlies Guard Sam Merrill against the Indiana Pacers (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Former Utah State guard Sam Merrill reminded fans why he is such a potent scorer in the Memphis Grizzlies 109-107 loss to the Indiana Pacers.
Merrill scored 30 points in his breakout preseason performance while connecting on 11-17 shots from the floor including 8-13 from the three-point line.
The former Aggie started and played 33 minutes for Memphis in their penultimate preseason game before the regular season begins next week. Merrill hit five threes in the first half to account for all 15 of his points before broadening his game over the final two quarters.
three ball. corner pocket.
12 points in the first half already for @smerrill05 pic.twitter.com/jO6894WvKs
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) October 13, 2021
The guard added eight points in the third quarter and seven in the final period to bring his total to a career-high 30 points.
Merrill is fighting for one of the final spots on the Grizzlies roster as the team must make cuts before opening the regular season.
According to the Commercial Appeal, the final spot on the Grizzlies roster will likely come down to Merrill, Jarrett Culver, or Kris Dunn.
“If the coaches and front office feel like I can help them, then great,” Merrill told the outlet. “If not, then it’s all good but I’ve felt like I’ve done a good job in the opportunities that I’ve had.”
In August, Merrill was traded to the Grizzlies in exchange for former Utah Jazz guard Grayson Allen.
FULL HIGHLIGHTS: Sam Merrill went for 30 points (11-17 FG, 8-13 3PT) last night! 🐻 @smerrill05 | @memgrizz pic.twitter.com/txPcGitoDa
— Priority Sports (@PrioritySports) October 14, 2021
Merrill was the 60th pick in the 2020 NBA draft by the New Orleans Pelicans but was traded to Milwaukee along with guard Jrue Holiday on draft night.
The guard has appeared in just one other game for the Grizzlies during the preseason when he scored three points in six minutes. Memphis will play the Chicago Bulls on Friday in their final preseason game, giving Merrill one more opportunity to prove he belongs on the roster.
