Grizzlies honor Mays, Wilkens, Reed

MEMPHIS, Jan. 17 (UPI) -- The Memphis Grizzlies marked Martin Luther King Day by paying tribute to baseball's Willie Mays and basketball's Lenny Wilkens and Willis Reed.

The sixth annual National Civil Rights Sports Legacy Awards were handed out before the Grizzlies' afternoon game against Chicago, ESPN Chicago reported.

"It says a lot about, obviously, Dr. King's legacy," Bulls Coach Tom Thibodeau said. "The type of leader he was, and it's withstood the test of time. Each year, you see how people are recognizing him and all the things that he stood for. And I think it's an important day for us and for everyone to recognize."

The Bulls' Ronnie Brewer said it was special to play on the day commemorating King's life in Memphis, where the civil rights leader was assassinated.

"I had the opportunity last year when I was here to ... go to the Lorraine Motel [where King was slain]," Brewer said. "Just going through that and experiencing that is kind of chilling because so long ago you know that it's actually real life. It's a museum, and everything looks all done up, but to know that's a true part of history and everything [King] did for the United States, not just African-American people, I think it's for everybody to be equal and come together as a community.

"So I think it's a huge deal, and I think it's a great opportunity for us to play here."