Future Watch: Ivan Rabb Rookie Basketball Cards, Grizzlies – The Memphis Grizzlies could go in a lot of directions this offseason. After a seven year run of Western Conference playoff appearances, Memphis took a grand step back in 2017-18. Injuries were a major factor in the team’s decline this year, but depth was also a contributing factor. This offseason will be big for the Grizzlies as they plan out the franchise’s direction for the future. Looking at their current roster, rookie forward/center Ivan Rabb was a solid contributor late in the season. He could be a key piece for the franchise moving forward.
Rabb grew up in Northern California and spent his entire prep career in that part of the state. He attended Bishop O’Dowd High School in Oakland where he won two CIF Northern California Open Division championships. His senior year was most impressive, as he averaged 24.5 points, 16.3 rebounds and 4.5 blocks per game. That year, he led the team to a CIF open division state title.
In the championship game, Rabb scored 19 points, grabbed 21 boards and blocked two shots. He also sank the go ahead free throw with less than one second on the clock to give his team the win.
Rabb earned five star college recruit rankings from Scout, Rivals, 247Sports and ESPN. He entertained a number of high profile universities including Duke, Kansas and North Carolina. He would eventually choose to stay close to home and attended the University of California, Berkley.
In two seasons for the Golden Bears, Rabb averaged 13.2 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game. He earned second-team All-Pac-12 honors as a freshman, and many scouts thought he would declare for the 2016 NBA draft. He decided to return to Berkley for his sophomore year to better round out his game despite being projected as a lottery pick. 
Rabb’s sophomore year as a Golden Bear was similar to his first, and it probably knocked his draft stock down a bit. After the season, he would declare himself eligible for the 2017 draft. He was selected 35th overall by Orlando and his rights were eventually traded to Memphis.
Scouts had hoped Rabb would take a large step forward between his freshman and sophomore season in college. That would have made him a surefire lottery pick. Despite his lack of development, there was still a lot to like about Rabb heading into the season. He measured well at the combine, standing 6’10”, 220lbs with a 7’2” wingspan. While not being an elite scorer in the post, he showed the ability to get to his spots and beat defenders with his footwork.
Like 99% of all rookies, he would need to add strength to his frame to back down NBA big men in the post. Memphis took a slow approach with Rabb, letting him develop at their G-League affiliate for much of the season. As the season wore on and the Grizzlies went into full tank mode, Rabb saw more opportunities at the NBA level. In six April games he averaged 11.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.0 blocks per game.
With a 19.9% chance at the number one overall pick (second only to Phoenix) and a 55.8% chance at a top three pick, the Grizzlies will have an opportunity to add an impact player to their team on draft night. Most likely, the team will focus on building towards the future. Rabb can be a key piece to the team’s success even in a bench role. The team is in desperate need of depth. If Rabb adds some strength and the Grizzlies add some passers that can get him the ball in the paint and at the rim, he could break out next year.
Ivan Rabb has some great autographed rookie cards in the market. They can be found in 2017 Panini Contenders Collegiate Draft Picks Basketball. As a draft pick, collectors can be assured to find NBA licensed rookie cards of Rabb in the complete portfolio of 2017-18 Panini NBA basketball card products during the 2017-18 NBA season.
Future Watch: Ivan Rabb Rookie Basketball Cards, Grizzlies – Other Resources
- NBA.com Player Profile – Ivan Rabb
- Ivan Rabb – Secondary Market Pricing
- Future Watch: 2017 NBA Draft Recap, Most NBA-Ready Players
- Future Watch: 2017 NBA Summer League Top Rookie Players
- NBA.Com
Future Watch: Ivan Rabb Rookie Basketball Cards, Grizzlies – Image Gallery
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