The Memphis Grizzlies announced Friday that they will wear throwback Vancouver Grizzlies uniforms for select games during the 2024-25 season in celebration of the franchise’s 30th anniversary.
The Grizzlies posted photos of the beloved classic unis on X, as well as a video looking back at the history of the organization, plus the unveiling of their court bearing the old-school Vancouver Grizzlies logo:
As part of the team’s announcement, it was noted that the Grizzlies will wear the all-white Vancouver Grizzlies Classic Edition uniforms, which suggests they will be worn only at home.
After getting selected as an expansion team, the Vancouver Grizzlies made their NBA debut in 1995 and would spend six seasons north of the border before relocating for Memphis.
For five of those six years, the Grizz wore the iconic uniforms they will don for some games this season, and they are still celebrated as some of the most unique and appealing threads in league history.
This marks the second time the Grizzlies have brought back the throwback look to celebrate a landmark season, as they wore turquoise Vancouver unis in honor of the franchise’s 25th anniversary back in 2019-20.
The Grizzlies’ time in Vancouver was marred by poor on-court results and a precipitous drop in attendance, eventually leading to the sale of the franchise and its relocation to Memphis.
In six years in Vancouver, the Grizzlies never won more than 23 games in a single season, but the team is still remembered fondly in large part because of its uniforms.
It also introduced some beloved players to the NBA, including Bryant “Big Country” Reeves, Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Mike Bibby.
There is no question that the Grizzlies’ greatest success has occurred in Memphis, as they have made 13 playoff appearances since relocating, including seven in a row from 2011 to 2017.
The Grizzlies ended a three-year playoff streak last season after going 27-55, but hopes are high entering the 2024-25 campaign provided Ja Morant, Desmond Bane and Marcus Smart can stay healthy after all of them missed significant time last season.
Memphis will open its regular-season slate with road games against the Utah Jazz and Houston Rockets on Oct. 23 and 25 before the home opener against the Orlando Magic on Oct. 26.
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