The Memphis Grizzlies launch their 2026 preseason training camp at Belmont University in Nashville on September 29, looking to reset after a tough end to last season. With a roster overhaul sending stars like Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. Elsewhere, camp is the first step for a new, defense-focused identity.
Zach Edey's availability is the biggest question hanging over this camp. The center played just 11 games last year due to multiple ankle surgeries. When he was on the floor, Memphis ranked among the NBA's best in rebounding and rim protection. After he went down, those areas became major weaknesses. Coach Tuomas Iisalo pointed to Edey's absence often when explaining the team's struggles. Now, after two procedures, everyone is watching to see what version of Edey returns. Can he be the same dominant force? Training camp will offer the first clues about his readiness for the regular season grind.
Rookie Cam Boozer, just 19, is expected to take on a major role immediately. His scoring gets attention, but his playmaking, rebounding, and defensive instincts are what have impressed his new teammates in early workouts. Boozer's basketball IQ is considered a real strength. He processes the game fast. Still, adjusting to the NBA's speed and complexity is a challenge for any first-year player. Camp in Nashville will be a controlled environment to see how quickly he digests Iisalo's system. His growth throughout these sessions will be a primary focus for the coaching staff.
Coach Iisalo finally has a roster built to his specifications. He wanted reliable screeners, and now he has Edey and Isaiah Stewart. He sought more shooting, and the additions of Boozer and Jerami Grant, plus internal growth from Scotty Pippen Jr. and Jaylen Wells, should help. The coach can fully implement his tough, physical, and defensive-minded principles. A healthier group gives him a real chance to develop that identity from day one. This camp is where that vision starts to take shape on the practice court.
They lost their final five games of the 2025-26 season, a skid that included defeats to the Cleveland Cavaliers (142-126), Milwaukee Bucks (131-115), and New York Knicks (130-119). Turning the page begins with a productive week in Nashville before the preseason schedule kicks off. Fans can track the team's progress and view the full preseason slate on our schedule page.
