MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - The Memphis Grizzlies have hired ESPN.com writer John Hollinger as their new vice president of basketball operations and Stu Lash as their director of player personnel and basketball development.
Grizzlies managing partner Jason Levien said Thursday they are thrilled to add Hollinger and Lash. Both will work with general manager Chris Wallace.
Hollinger invented statistics including a player efficiency rating and other analytical tools to predict performance. He will join the Grizzlies next week in an opportunity Hollinger said he couldn't pass up.
Lash had been vice president of basketball for Legardere Unlimited since 2009 and also spent five seasons with the Denver Nuggets where he helped with draft analysis and scouting.
The Grizzlies also named longtime employee Chantal Hassard as the new director of team operations.
In other Grizzlies' news....-Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis, Tenn. – The Memphis Grizzlies announced today that Director of Player Personnel Tony Barone Sr., Director of Scouting Tony Barone Jr. and Scout Ray Jones have departed the organization. The Grizzlies are grateful for their contributions and wish them well in their future endeavors.
Throughout over a decade each with the organization, Barone Sr. and Jr. played an integral part in all aspects of basketball operations. Among his many accolades, Barone Sr. is credited with scouting the talents of Spain’s Pau Gasol. Barone Sr. spent the final 52 games of the 2006-07 season as the Grizzlies’ interim head coach and served parts of three seasons (2002-05) as an assistant coach under two-time NBA Coach of the Year Hubie Brown.
During his tenure, Barone Jr. oversaw the Grizzlies’ scouting efforts while concentrating on scouting new and prospective talent throughout North America, including junior college and other professional leagues, along with putting together the Grizzlies’ summer league roster. Barone Jr. for two seasons also served as the Grizzlies’ Midwest scout.
Jones worked with the Grizzlies basketball operations staff as a regional scout concentrating on college player evaluations and other prospects throughout North America.
“On behalf of the Grizzlies organization I would like to thank Tony, Tony Jr., and Ray for their service, professionalism and efforts in helping this organization,” Levien said. “The entire Grizzlies family wishes them all the best.”
