GG Jackson can’t remember the exact moment, but he recalled a conversation he had with Memphis Grizzlies teammate Olivier-Maxence Prosper.

As Jackson explained, it was about the two players needing to earn their spots and make the Grizzlies pay them. Before each game, Jackson would stress to Prosper, “Go get that bread.”

Advertisement

On March 5, Prosper got exactly that.

The Grizzlies rewarded Prosper with a new multi-year contract after he began the season on a two-way deal.

“Super happy for him,” Jackson said. “We both were in the same draft. We were picked in two different spots, but we definitely went through the same kind of trials. Super proud of him, for sure. Worked his butt off.”

Prosper’s celebratory day didn’t end with a Grizzlies win. Memphis fell 122-114 at FedexForum to the Portland Trail Blazers.

But in many ways, the game illustrated how Prosper earned his contract.

With only eight players available, the Grizzlies started the 6-foot-7 Prosper at center against Portland’s towering 7-2 big man Donovan Clingan.

Advertisement

Despite the size disadvantage, Prosper battled.

With 3:14 left in the second quarter, Clingan swung his elbow while attempting a rip-through move. and struck Prosper. The play was reviewed and ruled a Flagrant 2 foul, resulting in Clingan’s ejection.

Prosper finished with 17 points and nine rebounds in 33 minutes.

“Definitely happy for him through the position he’s been put in,” Grizzlies second-year player Jaylen Wells said. “He hasn’t played center a lot, never complained, works hard and you see how hard he plays when he’s out there. That’s a guy you want to play with.”

Not satisfied yet

Prosper received the news about his contract during a phone call with his agent. His reaction wasn’t dramatic.

Advertisement

“I think for me it’s more like, ‘OK, let’s go,’ ” Prosper said.

Prosper, 23, was a first-round pick in 2023 and spent his first two seasons with the Dallas Mavericks. He was waived by the Mavericks in August 2025 before Memphis signed him.

“It’s just belief in myself and trusting that everything is going to work out,” Prosper said. “Staying true to the process. Staying true to my work. It was definitely something that I’m very grateful about (and) very happy.”

Because of that journey, Prosper said he’s “grateful, but not satisfied.”

Simply put, there’s more work to be done.

That mindset is why there won’t be a big celebration. Prosper is focused on the final 21 games of the season.

Advertisement

Players often talk about the edge that comes with being on a two-way contract. Prosper views it a little differently. He doesn’t believe value is always measured with a contract.

Coach Tuomas Iisalo is one of the many in the organization who have praised Prosper’s work ethic. Iisalo, known for his direct coaching style, has challenged Prosper throughout the season.

Those challenges appear to be working, although Prosper didn’t need a motivational boost.

“I think I’m already hungry by myself,” Prosper said. “I think he also knows the type of person I am, the type of player I am. This is not going to satisfy me. I want to keep building things here.”

Advertisement

Fitting in with the young core

Jackson and Wells are among several Grizzlies players who have spoken highly of Prosper.

Now that Prosper has his new deal, he’s allowing himself to think bigger — not just about his own future, but for the Grizzlies.

Prosper said he “loves this challenge” of building with the young group in Memphis. Opportunity has allowed him to play more and get a feel for what the future could hold.

“My work ethic, the way I approach things — it fits with everybody here,” Prosper said. “We all are part of the same clock. We’re all a young core that wants to be great and wants to get better. I feel like that’s very promising looking at that squad going into the future years.”

Advertisement

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.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Olivier-Maxence Prosper reacts to new Memphis Grizzlies contract