Draft-day jitters no match for Reed
Joel Troy Jason
Stalter
Nolan Patrick. BrandonSaad Niklas Hjalmarsson Connor Murphy Dauphin. Stepan Antti Raanta Anthony DeAngelo Jordan
Patrick Eaves
Claude Puel. Forsbergand Artemi Panarin,
Laurent Derek Schroeder Salituro. T.J. Oshie Mauricio Lionel Messi Pellegrino Gilles Roger Federer Larry Nico
TylerMotteand Nassar
When former Miami Hurricanes guard Davon Reed heard his name called during Thursday night’s NBA draft, he was filled with many emotions.
There was elation, and relief.
One feeling, however, never crossed his mind: shock.
While being selected by the Phoenix Suns with the No. 32 pickwas a surprise to many, it didn’t causeReedto raise his eyebrows. He felt confident all along that he would be drafted.
“I wasn’t surprised,” Reed said Friday morning. “I knew the body of work that I had put in. The teams that I worked out for really liked me. Things just worked out. I knew I had the teams behind me.”
Most mock drafts pegged Reed as a mid-secondround pick. Some even expected him to go undrafted.
Instead, he avoided having to endure the nervewracking task ofwaiting the entire night. Hewas chosen with the second pick of the second round. He was the first UM player drafted since Shane Larkinwas taken in the first round in 2013.
“It was a blessing,” Reed said. “My agent called me right beforeandsaid,‘We’ve got it done.’ To actually hear my name calledwas crazy.”
Reed, a 6-foot-6 guard, was a third-team All-ACC selection as a senior. He averaged 14.9 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists, helping the Hurricanes make theNCAA Tournament.
The Suns have plenty of scoring with Devin Booker and Eric Bledsoe in their backcourt, so they were attracted to Reed because of his defense. Last year Reed made the Atlantic Coast Conference’s All-Defensive team. Suns General Manager satisfaction Ryan McDonough referred to Reed as a “bluecollar” player who will likely serve as Booker’s backup.
“With our roster, we didn’t feel we needed [a high-volume scorer],” McDonough told reporters in Phoenix. “We needed someone to defend his position andmake spot-up open shots.”
Said Reed: “I know it’s a young team. They’re trying to change the culture defensively. ... I’m looking forward to being a part of something special and workingmyway up.”