Mario Chiozza holds Lucky after helping to dig him out of a concrete pipe.

A Pit bull who was found stuck 15 feet down a drainage pipe in Memphis, Tennessee in July, is getting help from an NBA athlete. Zach Randolph, the star forward for the Memphis Grizzlies, heard of the dog's plight and decided to help. 

Named Lucky, the Pit bull was rescued on the afternoon of July 10 after Caitlin Rogers, 15, and her mother discovered the dog when they were out walking on the Green Line near Waring. Caitlin said she and her mother heard a dog crying and whimpering and figured out he was stuck in a muddy drainage pipe. They called for help and public works was eventually called in to dig the frightened dog out of the pipe. 

Rescuers guess Lucky had probably been stuck in the pipe for at least two days and was likely only hours away from dying, given the dangerous situation he was in. He was taken to the vet and found to be in relatively good health, although he had to be treated for heartworms while staying at the Memphis Animal Shelter.  

Zach Randolph loves Pit bulls, so after hearing Lucky's story he arranged to pay for Lucky's rescue, rehabilitation and adoption process. He also arranged for Lucky to be cared for at Villalobos Rescue Center in New Orleans. The center looks after between 150 and 200 pit bulls at a 50,000 square foot facility and is featured on the cable television show "Pit Bulls and Parolees". Zach plans to meet Caitlin and her mother at the Memphis Animal Shelter this week to visit Lucky.

Lucky was stuck in this pipe for days

• Memphis
• Pit Bull
• Memphis Grizzlies
• NBA