MEMPHIS, Feb.18, 2010 -The Memphis Grizzlies added depth and a defensive presence on the perimeter by acquiring guard/forward Ronnie Brewer from the Utah Jazz, Grizzlies General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Wallace announced today. In return, Memphis traded a protected future first round draft pick to Utah.
The future first round draft pick sent to Utah is Top 14-protected in 2011, Top-12 protected in 2012, Top-10 protected in 2013 and Top-9 protected from 2014-15. If the pick has not been conveyed after the 2015 NBA Draft, the Jazz will receive cash considerations from the Grizzlies. Memphis still owns its first round pick in the upcoming 2010 NBA Draft.
"Ronnie Brewer is a proven, winning basketball player in the NBA," Wallace said. "He has been a starter for a perennial playoff team in Utah and has had the benefit of playing for one of the all-time great coaches in Jerry Sloan. Ronnie is an intelligent, versatile player who is an excellent ball handler and defender. We are excited to acquire this outstanding, former Arkansas Razorback."
Brewer, a 6-7, 227-pound swingman, has averaged 9.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.61 steals on 49.5 percent shooting in 31.4 minutes in 53 games (all starts) this season in Utah. The 24-year-old posted career highs in points (13.7) and rebounds (3.7) last season, while ranking first in the NBA in steals-per-turnover ratio (1.87) and seventh in field goal percentage (.558). He also leads the league in steals-per-turnover ratio this season (1.67).
The four-year NBA veteran (2006-10) owns career averages of 10.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.46 steals on 52.3 percent shooting in 26.4 minutes in 266 career games (223 starts) with the Jazz, who selected him with the 14th overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft. He was also selected to play in the 2008 T-Mobile Rookie Challenge at All-Star Weekend in New Orleans, where he scored 13 points for the Sophomore team.
Noted for his defensive abilities, Brewer has ranked in the NBA's Top 10 in total steals in each of the last two seasons, placing sixth in 2008-09 (138) and 10th in 2007-08 (129). This season, Brewer is tied for 12th in the league in total steals (85) with the Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant and the Charlotte Bobcats' Raymond Felton and 13th in steals per game.
Brewer, the son of former NBA player Ron Brewer, played three seasons at the University of Arkansas (2003-06), averaging 15.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists on 46.2 percent shooting in 33.0 minutes in 90 games. He played his high school basketball at Fayetteville High School in Fayetteville, Ark.