Former Richmond Spiders guard Jacob Gilyard appeared in the first NBA game of his career Sunday, playing 41 minutes for the Memphis Grizzlies in the team's 115-100 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the regular-season finale for both teams. Gilyard, a four-time All-Conference selection for the University of Richmond, recorded seven assists, four rebounds, three points, and three steals.

His sole field goal came late in the first quarter, when former A-10 rival Vince Williams Jr. from VCU drove and passed to Gilyard on the left wing. Gilyard, who owns Richmond's career record with 332 three-pointers, drained a 24-footer for his first career NBA points. 

Gilyard signed a two-way deal with the Grizzlies on Saturday after appearing in 31 games for the Memphis Hustle, the Grizzlies’ G-League affiliate. The contract allows the organization to retain Gilyard's rights and allows Gilyard to play for both the Grizzlies and Hustle. Gilyard led the NBA G League with 9.7 assists per game this season while adding 8.3 points and 1.9 steals per game. 

Gilyard is just the fourth Spider to play in the NBA, joining Justin Harper (2011-12, 2015-17), Johnny Newman (1986-2002), and John Schweitz (1984-87). In addition to owning the school record for three-pointers, Gilyard is Richmond's career leader in assists (782) and owns the NCAA Division I career steals record with 466.