Iverson Jerseys Going to Tanzania

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The Grizzlies announced that the Allen Iverson promotional jerseys that they had planned to distribute on Dec. 4 will now be shipped on behalf of Grizzlies center Hasheem Thabeet to impoverished children in his home country of Tanzania.

Instead, the Grizzlies will be distributing Marc Gasol Jersey T-Shirts to the first 3,000 fans in attendance on Dec. 4 when the team tips off against the Dallas Mavericks.

The Grizzlies are paying tribute to Gasol’s impressive start with an exclusive jersey t-shirt that will duplicate his name and number as they appear on his Grizzlies home uniform. The Grizzlies second-year center is currently one of only three players in the NBA to rank in the top ten in rebounds (10.7, 7th in NBA) and field goal percentage (.626, 2nd in NBA) and recently broke a franchise record with 15 consecutive field goals over the course of two games from Nov. 14-18.

The Grizzlies worked with the NBA’s Basketball without Borders program to facilitate the shipment of jersey’s that will be distributed to those in need in Thabeet’s native African country. Approximately 3,000 jerseys will be distributed to impoverished children in Tanzania. Basketball without Borders is the NBA’s global basketball development program that uses the values of the game to create positive social change in the areas of education, health and wellness.

"We are thrilled to partner with Hasheem Thabeet and the NBA’s international program Basketball without Borders to put the Allen Iverson promotional jerseys in the hands of children in need," said Greg Campbell, Grizzlies President of Business Operations. "This also gives us the opportunity to recognize Marc Gasol for his inspiring start to the season with a unique jersey t-shirt, courtesy of Sonic Drive-Ins."