Memphis Grizzlies legend Zach Randolph spotted the newcomers from afar.

Recent additions PJ Hall and Javon Small were finding parking spots for their vehicles. As soon as Hall stepped outside of his truck, Randolph was right there to greet him.

“I like this truck, young fella,” Randolph said.

Randolph, Small, Hall and Tony Allen were among those who participated in the Grizz Take Action Day of Service on Sept. 19. The Grizzlies organization partnered with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis to help build three homes for first-time homebuyers in North Memphis.

“Me and Tony, we grew up in low-income housing and apartments, so we can relate,” Randolph said. “Seeing these beautiful homes out here and people volunteering their time, this is what it’s all about. It’s a great thing that Habitat and the organization is doing.”

Randolph and Allen have made it a focal point to stay connected with the Grizzlies and Memphis community since their NBA departures after the 2017 season. As Randolph said, Memphis is still his city.

Approaching Hall and Small and welcoming them to Memphis is the latest example of that.

“This is how you get the love from the community, this is how you get the love from your fans,” Randolph said. “You got to give back. This ain’t no Hollywood type stuff. This is grit and grind. It’s all heart.”

Javon Small’s growing comfort

Small was selected in the second round of the 2025 NBA draft by the Grizzlies. He said he’s spent a little less than a month in Memphis, but his comfort level is growing thanks to the support system.

Outside of mounting his TV, which he said took about three hours to learn, Small doesn’t have much construction experience, but he’s engaging with the Memphis community.

Small credited his teammates and the entire organization as being helpful in his adjustment to the new city.

“I’ve been moving around since I was 17,” Small said. “I’ve been having different teammates, different coaching staffs, having to meet new people every single day. It’s nothing really new to me.”

PJ Hall talks joining Grizzlies

Hall was signed to a two-way contract in July, giving the Grizzlies another body in the frontcourt. Hall thinks of himself as a player who can be a bigger power forward or play the role of an undersized center.

With both Small and Hall, there are reasons for familiarity by geographical locations. Small is from Indiana, which is where Zach Edey and John Konchar played college basketball. Jaren Jackson Jr. also spent time playing prep basketball in Indiana.

Hall is a South Carolina native. Ja Morant and GG Jackson are also from South Carolina, and both players carry it like a badge of honor.

“On a more human scale, this (city) is my speed,” Hall said. “Tennessee is a little more country. Slow speed. I got family in East Tennessee. I’ve been to Memphis a few times, too. It’s an awesome city.”

Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.