Memphis Grizzlies “raising the rim” at two Memphis schools

Stock image of a basketball game

Memphis students at Fox Meadows Elementary and John P. Freeman Optional School will notice something different on the basketball court next year.

The Memphis Grizzlies National Basketball Association (NBA) team is providing a donation to provide both schools with an all-new basketball hoop system. The donation is a part of the Grizzles’ “Raise the Rim” initiative.

Under the initiative, the team will gift NBA-branded backboards, poles, rims, nets, and pole padding.  The donation will also provide Fox Meadow’s outdoor court with asphalt resurfacing.

Members of the Memphis-Shelby County School Board held a special meeting Tuesday to accept the donation.

“Just want to say thank you to the Grizzlies for this very generous donation. I know, I’ve seen their work, they did a very generous donation to Rozelle Elementary a couple years ago, and so this is just wonderful. Thank you,” said board member Michelle McKissack.

The district plans to install the hoop system at John P. Freeman by June 30 and Fox Meadow’s installation is part of the district’s Phase One capital ask for roof replacement.

“We’re always grateful to community partners and in the words of Dr. Feagins, we love when people like to pour into Memphis-Shelby County Schools, and so we are grateful,” said board chair Althea Greene.

The Memphis Grizzlies also backs the public all-boys public charter school, the Memphis Grizzlies Preparatory Charter School and the proposed all-girls Memphis Grizzlies Preparatory STEAM Schools for Girls.

Board members denied the all-girls school proposal earlier this month, but supporters are expected to file an amended application for consideration later this year.