The Vancouver Grizzlies history began in 1995 when the team joined the NBA as part of its Canadian expansion. Based in British Columbia, the Vancouver Grizzlies basketball team played home games at General Motors Place. Despite limited success, their time in Vancouver helped establish a foundation for the franchise before relocating to Memphis in 2001.
Established
1995
City
Vancouver – Memphis
League History
1995 – Present / National Basketball Association
Team History
2001 – Present / Memphis Grizzlies
1995 – 2001 / Vancouver Grizzlies
Nickname
Grizzlies – The Vancouver Grizzlies were one of the most beloved teams in NBA history, and their nickname has an interesting origin story. The name “Grizzlies” was chosen to represent the strength, power, and ferocity of a bear native to British Columbia - the grizzly bear.
This majestic animal is known for its immense size, intelligence, and fearlessness when defending its territory or cubs from danger. It also symbolizes loyalty, courage, and hard work - all qualities that any sports team should strive for! In addition to being associated with these admirable traits, having a local mascot was thought to help connect fans in Vancouver with their team on a more personal level.
Vancouver Grizzlies Origin
In 1995 when they first joined the NBA as an expansion franchise, they adopted this moniker and purple as their primary color scheme (a nod towards royalty). They even had some unique logos featuring bears over time, such as "Big Country" (named after former player Bryant Reeves), which featured two paw prints making up his initials, or "The Claw" logo, which showed off sharp claws reaching outwards from behind basketball netting! While unfortunately short-lived due to relocation issues after just six seasons playing at General Motors Place arena in downtown Vancouver, many diehard fans still fondly remember those days cheering on this Canadian squad wearing bright purple jerseys emblazoned with grizzlies across them, proudly representing our nation's west coast city!
Championship
NBA Championships 0
Arena
2004 – Present / FedExForum
2001 – 2004 / Pyramid Arena
*Vancouver*
1995 – 2001 / General Motors Place
Owner
2012 – Present / Robert J. Pera
2000 – 2012 / Michael Heisley
1995 – 2000 / Orca Bay Sports and Entertainment
- 1995
- 1996
- 2001
- 2002
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Vancouver Grizzlies Team Formation
The only former professional basketball team to play in Canada was the Toronto Huskies, who played a single season in 1946 – 1947 before folding. Attempts had been made by Nelson Skalbania, a local entrepreneur, to get an NBA franchise to Vancouver in the 1980s, but had failed. Arthur Griffiths, owner of the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League ... -
Drafted Shareef Abdur-Rahim
Shareef Abdur-Rahim was selected third overall by the Grizzlies in the 1996 Draft. The Grizzlies also traded for Anthony Peeler and George Lynch from the Los Angeles Lakers on 16 July 1996. Abdur-Rahim made an immediate impact playing for the Grizzlies, becoming the team’s leading scorer while setting a franchise record of 18.7 points per game (ppg). He finished third ... -
Sold to Michael Heisley
Financially, the lockout that occurred in 1998 was the turning point for the team. Attendance plummeted from a league average of 16,108 in the 1997 – 1998 season to 13,899 in the 1999 – 2000 season, which was the third-lowest in the league. Orca Bay started losing money on operations, in part because of a weak Canadian dollar. Griffiths sold ... -
Move to Memphis – Grizzlies
The Vancouver Grizzlies relocation to Memphis was a successful effort by the ownership group of the Vancouver Grizzlies to move the basketball team from the Canadian city of Vancouver, British Columbia, to the U.S. city of Memphis, Tennessee. The team began to play as the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2001 – 2002 season. It was the first of three National ...
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Vancouver Grizzlies History
The Vancouver Grizzlies history began in 1995 when the team joined the NBA as part of its Canadian expansion alongside the Toronto Raptors. Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, the Vancouver Grizzlies basketball franchise played home games at General Motors Place (now Rogers Arena) before relocating to Memphis in 2001 to become the Memphis Grizzlies.
During their first season under coach Brian Hill, the Vancouver Grizzlies basketball team finished with a 15–67 record. Over the following seasons, coaches Lionel Hollins and Sidney Lowe guided the team to gradual improvements. In the 1998–99 campaign, despite injuries to key players like Shareef Abdur-Rahim, the Vancouver Grizzlies history included a 22–60 record that showcased the team’s potential. By 1999–2000, Mike Bibby emerged as the team’s scoring leader, averaging 19 points per game, yet the playoffs remained out of reach in a competitive Western Conference.
Grizzlies Achievements
The Vancouver Grizzlies history also featured standout performances by Bryant Reeves (“Big Country”) and Michael Dickerson, who averaged 17 points per game between 1999–2001. Although they never qualified for the postseason, these players became fan favorites and helped lay the groundwork for future success after the relocation.
Despite their struggles, the Vancouver Grizzlies basketball era is remembered for its role in growing the NBA’s presence in Canada. The team established a loyal fan base, introduced the league to a new market, and built a young roster that would later contribute to the Memphis Grizzlies’ rise. The relocation in 2001 marked the end of a short but influential chapter, leaving a lasting legacy in Canadian basketball history.
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Retired Number
*Blue is this team’s history
