A familiar face was back at Fiserv Forum Sunday afternoon.
But instead of leading a havoc-style press for Shaka Smart or receiving alley-oop passes from Tyler Kolek, Olivier-Maxence Prosper was starting at forward for the Memphis Grizzlies.
Prosper is one of four Marquette players from the 2022-23 team that won the Big East regular season and tournament championship that is scattered throughout the NBA, joining Kam Jones (Indiana Pacers), Kolek (New York Knicks) and Oso Ighodaro (Phoenix Suns).
“When I look back at that team, at that year, we all knew we had a chance,” Prosper said Sunday after Memphis’ 131-115 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. “We all knew we were NBA caliber players, and now to see us all at this level and succeeding at this level, it’s really cool to see.
“Those guys are my brothers for life, and those bonds transcend our college days. It’s great every time we get to see each other.”
Although he wasn’t able to see any of his former teammates or coaches while he was in town, it didn’t stop Prosper from wearing his Marquette hoodie after his only game in Fiserv Forum this season.
“I come here once a year,” he said. “Got to rep it at least once.”
The 6-foot-7 forward played 14 minutes in his old stomping grounds on Sunday, finishing with 13 points, three rebounds and two assists. While back inside Fiserv, he took some time to reminisce on some of his favorite moments.
“The Big East regular-season championship we won in the last game of the regular season,” he said. “The game-winner against Xavier. Man, that place was rocking, I remember it like it was yesterday.
“Just the moments I had with my teammates and my coaches here, we had just a great group of guys. It was fun while it lasted.”
Prosper’s start on Sunday was his 22nd of the season. The third-year forward has appeared in 51 games for the Grizzlies this season, one game shy of the career-high 52 he appeared in last year for the Dallas Mavericks.
“This is a gritty, long season, you got to be willing to stay true to your routine,” Prosper said. “And be consistent in every little detail, on and off the court.
“There’s going to be some games that are up and down, but you got to stay steady in terms of mental. You can’t get too up or too down. You got to stay steady and you got to find what your niche is. You got to find what skill you’re elite at and really focus on that and be great at that.”
After being waived in late August by the Mavericks, the former first round pick signed a two-way deal with Memphis just six days later on Sept. 4. In March, he signed a two-year guaranteed contract with the Grizzlies.
“It felt great,” Prosper said. “Obviously, everything that happened in Dallas led me to here.
“It’s definitely good seeing the work being rewarded. It started with my belief in myself. I knew I was worthy of that. Even though I was on a two-way, it didn’t change my approach or anything. I knew it eventually was going to work out.”
Prosper is averaging career-highs in points (9.7) rebounds (3.5), steals (0.8) field goal percentage (54.0%) and 3-point percentage (39.9%). As the season has gone on, the Montreal, Canada native has gotten more comfortable, averaging 15.5 points over his last 18 contests, including scoring a career-high 31 points on March 27 against Houston.
“He always provides a ton of energy,” Memphis coach Tuomas Iisalo said. “One of the greatest motors that I’ve ever seen, definitely in the NBA.
“Just never takes any plays off. Using every day and every opportunity to get better. That’s really the type of guys you want to coach.”
After an up and down two seasons in Dallas, Prosper has found a home in Memphis. Despite their 25-53 record this season, the former Marquette great is looking forward to the years ahead.
“[Memphis] is about great players, but they’re also about great people,” Prosper said. “That’s what I could see moving forward. You need both. From my experience at Marquette, we won a lot because we had both.
“This organization is trying to build that here. I think we’ve got a better future ahead and I’m really happy to be around this group of guys.”
This story was written by Matthew Baltz. He can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter/X @MatthewBaltzMU.
