MikeCheck: Grizzlies provide opening week boost as Grizz Prep launches ‘historic new era’
Michael WallaceCharter school opens South Memphis campus; launches STEAM girls academy
MEMPHIS – A sudden burst of morning energy shot through the young student as he trudged up the steps toward the front entrance on the first day of school.
At the doorway, he quickly froze despite the rising humidity on this late July Memphis morning.
“What’s Grizz doing here!” the seventh grader shouted as he spotted the Memphis Grizzlies mascot bearhugging and dapping up each student filing toward the building.
“That’s Grizz . . . and this is Grizzlies Prep,” school executive director Tim Ware responded to the mesmerized young man, attempting to connect the dots. “We’re in this thing together.”
The Grizzlies’ presence on this revitalized middle school campus in South Memphis amplified the historic significance of the first day of school for the new-look Grizzlies Prep.
This week, the all-boys charter school for sixth-through-eighth graders transitioned from its downtown location in a former bank on Jefferson Street to the sprawling grounds that once housed Corry Middle School and Believe Academy.
In addition to the relocation, Grizzlies Prep also welcomed its inaugural sixth-grade class of its STEAM School for Girls. The two schools will share the same campus but will operate in separate wings with a focus on single-gender education formats.
For the Grizzlies, this week represents another significant step in solidifying bonds with the city and region through impactful community engagement. The franchise’s relationship with Grizzlies Prep began 15 years ago when the school first launched as the nation’s only all-boys charter middle school affiliated with an NBA franchise.
Through the years, the Memphis Grizzlies Foundation has contributed to the school’s growth with sponsored scholars’ programs, mentoring initiatives, career-day partnerships and engagement with players, coaches and staff.
Young students weren’t the only ones excited for the school’s opening when they arrived and were greeted by Grizz, the Grizz Girls and longtime franchise hype man Brandon “BLJ” Johnson.
Dozens of parents, relatives and community supporters gathered near the front of the school Monday with huge smiles and cell phones in hand as the Grizzlies connected with each student.
The organization’s personal touch is only the beginning of partnership opportunities and visits in the works this season for one of Tennessee’s top-performing charter middle schools.
Grizzlies Prep has earned a Level-5 distinction from the state in four of the past five academic years for student growth in multiple categories, including state-wide tested curriculum subjects.
Two years ago, state and local education officials approved Grizzlies Prep’s application to expand and open one of Tennessee’s only STEAM-focused (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) schools specifically for middle school girls.
That application was supported by a letter to the Memphis-Shelby County School Board from Terri Carmichael Jackson, the mother of former Grizzlies All-Star power forward Jaren Jackson Jr.
The assist from Mrs. Jackson, executive director of the WNBA’s Players Association, formally came to fruition this week as the sixth-grade class of girls entered the school together Monday.
“Your letter of support meant so much during the application stage of this journey,” Ware shared in a statement to Jackson. “Having someone whose life has been dedicated to expanding opportunity, empowering women and strengthening communities believe in our vision was encouraging and affirming. Because of your leadership and support, hundreds of young women now have a place where they can discover their gifts, build confidence and prepare to lead.”
A remarkable aspect of Grizzlies Prep is that the school draws its student body from every zip code in Memphis. That diversity is also reflected in the administrative and teaching staffs.
With a target enrollment of 550 students, there are still a few open seats available in each class – sixth, seventh and eighth-grade boys and sixth-grade girls – for this school year (visit www.GrizzliesPrep.org for enrollment information).
Among the voices that resonated from this week’s opening day of school was that of University of Memphis basketball legend and former NBA standout Elliot Perry.
“To see how all of this has come together with this school, and the addition of the girls’ school, is an example of what’s great about our city and our communities,” shared Perry, chairman of the Grizzlies Foundation board and also a member of Grizzlies Prep board of directors. “Let’s keep getting the word out on this historic new era.”
It was exactly 10 years ago when Perry, affectionately known as E.P., first expressed a similar message to me about G.P.
I had just moved to Memphis from Miami after covering the NBA as a reporter, analyst and radio personality for ESPN. As I shifted into my role helping to launch Grind City Media with the Grizzlies, my new broadcast teammate asked me one day to hang out with him on a school visit.
“We mentor over there every Tuesday after school,” Perry told me then. “It’s a special place, man, but I want you to see it for yourself. You can have an impact on our young men at G.P.”
Enough said.
On a Tuesday after Labor Day weekend in 2016, I met E.P. at G.P. and the rest is history. I committed – first to the mentoring program, and then to the school – and never left.
Three years later, we enrolled my youngest son, Kevin, at G.P. and I eventually accepted a parent volunteer board member position at the school. At his 8th-grade graduation ceremony, we were asked to share the commencement address on our father-and-son G.P. journey. There’s never been a more meaningful assignment in my life.
Kevin, now entering his senior year in high school, arrived at the new G.P. with me this week to take in the new campus. He saw familiar teachers who taught him when he was a foot shorter, back when his voice was more mousey and less mannish than today.
As he walked into a social studies classroom, his former teacher introduced Kevin as a G.P. alum and then caught him off guard with a request in front of the room full of students.
“As you think back, share with these guys one piece of advice you’ve learned that can help them in eighth-grade this year,” Mr. Walsh beckoned.
Kevin thought in awkward silence a few seconds as he scanned the room.
“Know that your friends and social circle is important,” Kevin told the class. “But know that more important are your academics right now. Get that on track first. And don’t forget to advocate for yourself when you need help or something. Speak up if you don’t understand.”
An expression of equal parts amazement, shock and pride flashed across Mr. Walsh’s face. I recognized it immediately, because it reflected mine.
Moments earlier, it was the same look Kevin had as he walked through the much wider hallways and seemingly limitless classrooms throughout the building than what he had at the old G.P. That look remained as he saw the basketball court inside the gymnasium and the expansive fields potentially for football, baseball, soccer and track just beyond the doors outside.
“I loved being downtown at our school, because we walked to our field trips and places,” Kevin admitted. “But now they have all this space. They got a gym, fields and stuff we didn’t have.”
Magnificent progress was evident on all fronts.
G.P.’s teachers could clearly see the maturation of a former student and leaned on that legacy.
Meanwhile, that alum marveled at his former school’s growth, expansion and what’s to come.
Day 1 of school was the dawn of a new era.
For Grizzlies Prep and the Grizzlies, it’s one fueled by fond memories and forward momentum.Published on Jul 29, 2026
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