Grizzlies Throw It Back with 2001-02 Black Uniform
The Memphis Grizzlies are dialing up the nostalgia this season, taking the court in a bold throwback to their 2001-02 black uniforms, a look that represents the team’s very first year in Memphis.
When the franchise relocated from Vancouver to Memphis in 2001, the team brought along its alternate black uniform. But the Grizzlies quickly made it their own. The chest logo was swapped out for a sleek “Memphis” wordmark, paired with the signature asymmetrical trim in red, turquoise, and white. It was a fresh design that immediately gave the new era of Grizzlies basketball its identity.
For the first three seasons in Memphis, the team boldly featured “Memphis” across both home and away uniforms—a move that stood out in the NBA at the time, with very few teams opting to display their city so prominently.
The uniforms also featured the beloved Claw Ball, first introduced as a secondary logo in Vancouver back in 1995. It became part of the jersey in 2000 and still remains a staple of the Grizzlies’ brand identity over two decades later.
Another nod to the franchise’s roots, the G-Swipe logo, was carried over as well. First used during the inaugural Vancouver season, the fierce claw mark quickly came to symbolize the team’s intensity and edge on the court.
The return of the black 2001-02 uniforms isn’t just about looking back; it’s about celebrating the Grizzlies’ journey from their earliest days in Memphis to becoming a fixture of the city’s sports culture. For fans, it’s a chance to relive the moment when “Grizzlies Basketball” first took root in Tennessee, wearing one of the boldest kits of the early 2000s.
Memphis is making sure the throwback fits seamlessly with the present, honoring history while bringing a classic look back to the modern NBA stage.
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