McLemore finds fresh start in Memphis

Sacramento Kings guard Ben McLemore, looks to pass against Utah Jazz guard Rodney Hood during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 29, 2017, in Sacramento, Calif. The Jazz won 112-82.

One day after learning about his own two-year contract with Memphis, former Kansas guard Wayne Selden Jr., learned Sunday that he will have Jayhawk company.

Former KU guard Ben McLemore, once the No. 7 overall pick by the Sacramento Kings in the 2013 NBA Draft, has agreed to a two-year deal with Memphis, which, according to ESPN’s Chris Haynes, is worth a total of $10.7 million.

McLemore became an unrestricted free agent earlier this summer when the Kings did not extend a qualifying offer his way. That freed him up to sign with any team he wanted and he quickly found a new home with the Grizzlies.

In town in early June to participate in the annual Rock Chalk Roundball Classic, McLemore told the Journal-World then that he was determined to work harder than ever this offseason to get his NBA career on track.

With NBA averages of 9.4 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 25.5 minutes per game, McLemore has spent his first few professional seasons floating on the fringe between NBA starter and role player.

His best single-season numbers to date came in his second season, when he started all 82 games and averaged 12.1 points and 32.6 minutes per game for the Kings that year. He has started 216 of the 283 games he has appeared in, but has yet to consistently make that undeniable statement that he’s on his way to becoming a star.