MLK 2017

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Grant Hill, Steve Smith join Grizzlies Head Coach David Fizdale and Marc Spears from ESPN’s The Undefeated and other special guests for a discussion of topics at the intersection of race and sports. The panel will be hosted by ESPN’s Mark Jones.

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National Civil Rights Museum Discussion

Check out photos, video and more to relive the events that took place during the Grizzlies' Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration weekend.

Learn more about the 15th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Game and related events.

From Grind City Media’s Michael Wallace:

Legacy Award is latest lasting bond that binds Hill, Smith and Leslie

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Grizzlies MLK Jr. Celebration weekend recap

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Grizzlies MLK Jr. Day of Service presented by AutoZone

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MLK Jr. weekend NCRM Museum visit & Symposium photos

The Grizzlies’ Martin Luther King, Jr.  Celebration events tip-off by recognizing January as National Mentoring Month.  Grizzlies Prep Ambassador Vince Carter will  participate in the Martin Luther King  Jr. Youth Summit at Grizzlies  Preparatory Charter School on Monday, Jan. 9 at  approximately 4 p.m.. Carter will be  joined by four youth mentors and other special guests along with Grizzlies Prep  scholars for a roundtable conversation about the challenges facing urban youth  in their own words. The event will be hosted by Grizzlies Partner, Foundation  Board Chair and Grizzlies Prep Mentor Elliot  Perry. Grizzlies Prep is the Memphis Grizzlies’ namesake charter school in  downtown Memphis, serving 6-8th grade middle school boys with the tools necessary to develop a strong educational foundation that will better  serve them for the rigors of high school and higher education.

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Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Summit

See the full schedule of livestream events surrounding this year's Grizzlies' MLK Jr. Celebration. Watch them all LIVE on Grizzlies.com.

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MLK Jr. Celebration livestream events

This  year’s honorees of the 12th  Annual National Civil Rights Museum Sports Legacy Award feature a  star-studded lineup of NBA and WNBA greats: Grant Hill, Steve Smith and the second-ever female honoree, Lisa  Leslie*. All will be honored during the MLK Jr. Celebration Day events,  including the newly renamed Earl Lloyd Sports Legacy Symposium presented by the Hyde Family Foundations on Sunday, Jan. 15 at 6:30pm, for their significant  contributions to civil and human rights, and for laying the foundation for  future leaders through their career in sports in the spirit of Dr. King.

Mobile app users: This event will go live on the 'Latest' tab as soon as event is under way. View the replay after the event at the jump.

*Due to a family emergency, Lisa Leslie will not be able to attend the events &amp; game. Former WNBA player Jennifer Azzi with accept the award on her behalf and former Sports Legacy honoree Jason Collins will take part in the symposium with  Grant Hill and Steve Smith.

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Earl Lloyd Sports Legacy Symposium

MEMPHIS — On Sunday,  Jan. 15, the Memphis Grizzlies, National Civil Rights Museum, City of  Memphis and Shelby County will host the 15th  Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Game, presented by AutoZone, in  a nationally-televised contest on ESPN vs. the Chicago Bulls at 8 p.m.   The celebration game events will also include the annual symposium and  three other events to remember, celebrate and act on the legacy left by Dr.  King with this year’s honorees of the 12th Annual National Civil Rights  Museum Sports Legacy Award.  Associate celebration  and game sponsors include The Hyde Family Foundations, Ashley Homestore, Memphis  Area Ford Dealers and Coors Light.

This  year’s honorees of the 12th Annual National Civil Rights Museum Sports Legacy Award feature a  star-studded lineup of NBA and WNBA greats: Grant Hill, Steve Smith and the second-ever female honoree, Lisa  Leslie*. All will be honored during the MLK Jr. Celebration Day events,  including the newly renamed Earl Lloyd  Sports Legacy Symposium presented by the Hyde Family Foundations on Jan. 15, for their significant  contributions to civil and human rights, and for laying the foundation for  future leaders through their career in sports in the spirit of Dr. King. 

Watch the Earl Lloyd Sports Legacy Symposium and other events LIVE on Grizzlies.com.

Tip-off  to the Grizzlies vs. Bulls MLK Jr. matchup is at 8 p.m., with the National Civil Rights Museum Sports Legacy Award Ceremony also broadcasting  live on ESPN. The ceremony will present the honorees with the Sports Legacy  Award.  This year’s MLK Jr. halftime ceremony will be presented by Memphis  Area Ford Dealers, broadcast live on ESPN, and will include a MLK Jr. Tribute  video and live music from Grammy-nominated artist, Gallant.

Also that evening, the Grizzlies will debut  their MLK50 Pride uniforms in primetime to a nationally-televised audience, tipping-off the  National Civil Rights Museum’s upcoming remembrance of the 50th Anniversary of  Dr. King’s assassination. In collaboration with adidas, and inspired by the  storied history of The Lorraine Motel, the uniform’s use of iconic imagery,  color and design is intended to bring greater awareness to the National Civil  Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel, and the museum’s mission to drive a deeper  understanding of the history behind the ongoing movement forward for social  justice that defined Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in life and in death. For more  information on the uniform and its roots please visit grizzlies.com.

The Grizzlies’ Martin Luther King, Jr.  Celebration events tip-off by recognizing January as National Mentoring Month.  Grizzlies Prep Ambassador Vince Carter will  participate in the Martin Luther King  Jr. Youth Summit at Grizzlies  Preparatory Charter School on Monday, Jan. 9 at  approximately 4 p.m.. Carter will be  joined by four youth mentors and other special guests along with Grizzlies Prep  scholars for a roundtable conversation about the challenges facing urban youth  in their own words. The event will be hosted by Grizzlies Partner, Foundation  Board Chair and Grizzlies Prep Mentor Elliot  Perry. Grizzlies Prep is the Memphis Grizzlies’ namesake charter school in  downtown Memphis, serving 6-8th grade middle school boys with the  tools necessary to develop a strong educational foundation that will better  serve them for the rigors of high school and higher education. This event  will be streamed live on grizzlies.com and is closed to the public. Media is  invited to attend.

Together, The Grizzlies and the Jr.  NBA, the League’s official youth basketball program, will conduct a 3-on-3 MLK  Jr. NBA Tournament on Saturday, Jan. 14 from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. at Rhodes College. The tournament is open to boys and  girls in grades 5-8. The Jr. NBA teaches the fundamentals and the values of the  game at the grassroots level to help improve the youth basketball experience  for all. Also featured at the event will be a one-hour panel conversation with  NBA &amp; WNBA legends and local law enforcement about the Grizzlies’ P.A.L.  initiative held between approximately 12-1  p.m. Finalists from each division of the 3-on-3 MLK Jr. NBA Tournament will  be treated to an NBA experience.  Championship games will be held on the  main court at FedExForum on Sunday, Jan.  15 from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. In addition, all teams that qualify for the  finals will receive game tickets for players and coaches to the 8 p.m.  Grizzlies vs. Bulls game.  Winning teams will also get a Jr. NBA trophy.  Registration is currently open from now until January 12.   The entry  fee is $20 per team and pre-registration is required, so visit www.JrNBA.com/Tournament before space is gone.

Also,  on Saturday, Jan. 14, Hill, Smith  and Leslie will tour of the National Civil Rights Museum. Media availability  for the honorees will be at the conclusion of the tour.  (A separate media advisory will be sent at a later  date).

Following  the tour, Hill, Smith and Leslie will join Grizzlies Head Coach David Fizdale, Marc Spears from ESPN’s The Undefeated and other special guests for  a reception, presented by Coors Light, and discussion of topics at the  intersection of race and sports. The reception for invited guests will begin at  4 p.m. and the discussion panel will follow starting at 5 p.m. and will be  streamed live on grizzlies.com. The panel will be hosted by ESPN’s Mark Jones. This event will be streamed  live on grizzlies.com and is closed to the public. Media is invited to attend.

Celebration  events will continue on Sunday, Jan. 15 with  the Martin Luther King Jr. High School Classic, presented by Ashley Homestore,  between the Whitehaven High Tigers and Bartlett Panthers on the main court at  FedExForum. The High School Classic will tip-off at 3:30 p.m. and admission to the game is free with a ticket to the  Grizzlies vs. Bulls game.

In addition, before the symposium and celebration  game, a Martin Luther King Jr. NBA Coaches’ Forum &amp; Reception will be held  in the Draft Room at FedExForum on Sunday, Jan. 15, from 4-6 p.m. Participants  include Smith, former NBA player Jason Collins and former WNBA player Jennifer  Azzi, along with invited coaches  who participate in Grizzlies youth basketball programs. The forum is designed  to engage coaches as positive influencers and to equip them with tools to  develop young athletes of character.

The event lineup will continue with the Earl  Lloyd Sports Legacy Symposium, presented by the Hyde Family Foundations, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 15 in the Grizzlies Built Ford Tough Training Facility  at FedExForum. The symposium, emceed by Grizzlies television play-by-play  announcer Pete Pranica, will feature  Hill, Smith and Leslie who will share their unique stories and experiences  about their contributions to civil and human rights in the spirit of Dr. King. The  symposium will be steamed live on grizzlies.com. While admission is free to  the symposium with the purchase of a ticket to the Grizzlies vs. Bulls game,  space is limited. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Starting this year, the symposium will be  renamed in memory of Lloyd as recognition  of both his legacy as a pioneer in sports, being the first African-American  player to play in an NBA game on October 31, 1950, and as the first recipient  of the National Civil Rights Museum Sports Legacy award in Memphis in January  2005. Lloyd’s son Kevin Lloyd will  be on hand and recognized both at the symposium and during the celebration game  to commemorate this honor posthumously.

To  conclude the Martin Luther King Jr. celebration, the entire roster of Grizzlies  players and coaches will participate in the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of  Service presented by AutoZone from 11:45  a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 16. The team will provide, prepare and  serve a holiday meal to over 200 homeless and families in need through a  partnership with Memphis Union Mission, the largest homeless shelter in the  city. A separate media advisory will be sent closer to the event with  additional details.

Fans who want to support the Memphis Grizzlies  by purchasing ticket to the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Game can do so  now by calling (901) 888-HOOP or going online to grizzlies.com. Also MLK50 Pride  uniform and other inspired gear is now available for purchase in the Grizzlies  Den by adidas and online at grizzliesstore.com. Tickets for all games are  available for purchase at all Ticketmaster locations, Ticketmaster.com, the  FedExForum Box Office, online at grizzlies.com or by calling 1-800-4NBA-TIX or  (901) 888-HOOP.

MORE ON GALLANT:
  The push-and-pull  that drives Gallant’s music is like  a pendulum swinging back and forth between genres and influences.  His combination of muscular vocal acrobatics  and sonic unpredictability has attracted universal tastemaker praise and a  growing global fan base. Complex championed the Los Angeles-based singer and  songwriter as “The R&amp;B game changer,” LA Times claimed, “Precise writing of  Frank Ocean, big vocal runs of Sam Smith,” and NME predicted, “the voice that  will redefine R&amp;B,” while Entertainment Weekly, The Fader, Billboard, LA  Weekly, and more have shown support. Sir Elton John summed it up best saying,  “Gallant is gonna be huge.”  Now, the  artist is nominated for his first ever Grammy alongside Beyonce &amp;  Rihanna.  He continues questioning, learning,  and progressing on his full-length debut, Ology [Mind of a Genius/Warner Bros.  Records].

ABOUT THIS YEAR’S RECIPIENTS OF THE 12TH  ANNUAL NATIONAL CIVIL RIGHTS MUSEUM SPORTS LEGACY AWARD:NBA Inside Stuff co-host Grant Hill will be honored at this year’s events, celebrating his  18-year NBA career (1994-2013) that featured seven NBA All-Star appearances and  one selection to the All-NBA First Team in 1997. Hill starred for the Detroit  Pistons while also playing for the Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles  Clippers. As the 3rd overall pick of the 1994 NBA Draft by the  Pistons, Hill helped turn the corner for Duke University in its rise as a  national powerhouse. During his four years as a Blue Devil, Duke won the first  two national titles in school history (1991, 1992) and returned to the national  title game in 1994 during Hill’s senior season. As a senior, Hill was named the  1994 ACC Player of the Year and a 1994 Consensus first team All-American. In  international play, Hill won a gold medal at the 1996 Olympic Games with Team  USA. Off the court, in 1999 Hill served as vice-chairman of the Special  Olympics World Games. Two years later in 2001, Hill received the Rich and Helen  DeVos Community Enrichment Award for his work in the Central Florida community  as a member of the Orlando Magic. Additionally, Hill is very active and  passionate about youth fitness and health. In 2010, President Barack Obama  named Grant as a council member on the President's Council of Fitness, Sports &amp; Nutrition. Hill is also  involved with First Lady Michelle Obama’s ‘Let’s Move’ campaign, which  provides access to nutritional and physical activity information and  suggestions while also by providing opportunities for families to have access  to healthy, affordable foods. In addition, Hill is part of the Atlanta Hawks’  ownership group.

NBA  TV studio analyst Steve Smith enjoyed a 14-year NBA career (1991-2005) that featured one NBA All-Star  appearance (1998) and time spent with the Miami Heat, Atlanta Hawks, Portland  Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs, New Orleans Hornets and Charlotte Bobcats. In  2003, Smith helped the Spurs to their second NBA championship alongside future  Hall-of-Famers Tim Duncan, David Robinson and current Warriors head coach Steve  Kerr. Smith averaged over 20 points per game twice in his NBA career.  Additionally, he won a gold medal at the 2000 Olympic Games with Team USA and  received the 2002 NBA Sportsmanship Award.   Smith spent four years at Michigan State (1987-1991) under legendary head  coach Jud Heathcote. In addition to having his No. 21 retired by the Spartans,  Smith left the school as its all-time leader in points scored (2,263) while  ranking fourth all-time in assists (453) and fifth in rebounds (704). In 1991,  he was named a Consensus second team All-American while earning third team  All-American honors by the AP and UPI as a junior in 1990. Off the court, Smith  received the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award. The award is given to a NBA  player or coach who shows "outstanding service and dedication to the  community." Smith is well known for his charitable pursuits and in 1997 he  made a $2.5 million donation to his alma mater that helped fund the Clara Bell  Smith Student Athlete Academic Center, named for his mother. It was the largest  gift from a professional athlete to his or her university in history. In  addition, Smith runs The Steve Smith Charitable Fund. It began as a benefit to  those students from Steve’s alma mater, Detroit’s Pershing High School, who  wished to attend Michigan State University and has since grown to meet broader  needs in the communities that have supported Steve throughout his life.
  One  of the greatest women’s basketball players of all-time, Lisa Leslie enjoyed a 12-year WNBA career with the Los Angeles Sparks.  Her on-court achievements at multiple levels have resulted in her induction to  the Basketball Hall of Fame (2015) and Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame (2015).  Leslie’s WNBA career boasts two championships in which she was named Finals MVP  both years (2001, 2002), three MVP awards (2001, 2002, 2003), eight All-Star  appearances and All-WNBA First Team honors and two WNBA Defensive Player of the  Year selections (2004, 2008). Leslie also became the first woman to dunk in a  professional basketball game. In addition, Leslie was named one of the WNBA’s  Top 20@20 in 2016, referring the league’s Top 20 players of all-time chosen on  the occasion of the WNBA’s 20th season. In international play,  Leslie won four Olympic gold medals with Team USA (1996, 2000, 2004, 2008) and  two FIBA World Championships gold medals (1998, 2002).  Off the court, Leslie became a co-owner of  the Los Angeles Sparks in 2011 and also launched the Lisa Leslie Basketball and  Leadership Academy, focused on benefitting both the player and the person. In  2008, she became an author and published her book ‘Don’t Let the Lipstick Fool  You’, where in her own words, she points the spotlight onto her remarkable  life off the court, where being a confident champion was not always simple.  During the latter stage of her career she began the process of obtaining her  business degree in the offseason of 2006. In 2009, shortly after her  retirement, she finished her M.B.A. program at the University of Phoenix. In  2014, Leslie attended Super Bowl XLVII on behalf of the American Children’s  Federation in hopes to bring awareness to parents who should have a choice of  what school their kids to attend.

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Grizzlies to honor Grant Hill, Steve Smith and Lisa Leslie as part of 15th Annual MLK Jr. Celebration Game

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