NBA Playoffs: Ranking all five former Vols signed to current postseason teams
Forward. Memphis Grizzlies. Yves Pons. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. 211. 4
6’5″ 206 pounds
Joining Keon Johnson and Jaden Springer back in 2021 was Yves Pons. He went to the NBA after four years on Rocky Top and winning SEC Defensive Player of the Year in 2020, but he signed as an undrafted free agent. Given his unique athleticism despite being a bit undersized, he’s somewhat of a tweener from the two to the four.
Mostly, though, Pons is a four. He’s also on one of the youngest and most fun teams to watch in the NBA Playoffs, the Memphis Grizzlies. For the year, Pons spent time with the Memphis Hustle in the NBA G League, where he averaged over nine points and nearly a block a game.
However, unlike Springer, Pons saw legitimate action, albeit minimal still, for Memphis. He appeared in 12 games and averaged over a point and nearly six minutes a game. Since March 26, he has appeared in four games, and he scored six points while recording three blocks against the Boston Celtics to close out the regular season Sunday.
Memphis is loaded as the No. 2 seed who finished with a 56-26 record and will begin its playoffs Saturday against Minnesota. They likely will make a deep run, but it’s not likely that Pons is a part of that. Still, he’ll be there if he’s needed, and he’s proven a bit more than Springer.