Austin Rivers a good prospect with his father Doc Rivers guiding him along – NBA News
While Doc Rivers deals with the loss of his team the Boston Celtics at the hands of the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals, he has something to look forward to.
His son, Austin Rivers, a former guard of Duke University, is all set to participate in this year’s NBA Draft. Rivers was present at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago, where he participated in drills and training
sessions, and also interacted with team managements and scouting personnel. While at the combine, a reporter asked him about the prospect of slipping to the 21st overall pick, Rivers instantly replied:
“I'm guessing that's the Celtics' pick? That would be pretty interesting. That's all I'll say about that.”
Austin Rivers played college ball at Duke, where he averaged 15.5 points and led his team to a season ending loss to Lehigh at the NCAA tournament. Doc Rivers has already said that should his son land on a team
that he coaches, the NBA better take notice as he is going to start the young guard.
Rivers has said that his son has been groomed around NBA players. He used to bring his son along to basketball games and locker rooms when he was coaching in San Antonio, and later in Orlando and Boston. He has
been closely monitoring the NBA draft and the future of his son, and has also kept a close eye on what people are saying about him. He took offense to the fact that his son was being called arrogant or cocky.
“I even heard that he's cocky. I've yet to meet the uncocky Dwyane Wade, or the uncocky LeBron (James), or the uncocky Ray (Allen), or the uncocky Paul (Pierce)”, said Rivers.
While talking to reporters, Austin Rivers said that he was looking to become a Russell Westbrook, Deron Williams or Derrick Rose. He said that he wanted to develop ball handling and play making skills, while
at the same time be able to score like a shooting guard. He will need some hard work to accomplish that aim.
Rivers also said that his time with Duke helped him understand basketball in a much better way. And he thinks that is the main difference between playing high school basketball and college basketball. Rivers
is expected to be picked up as a mid first round pick because he has good ball handling skills and the ability to explode into the defense.
Asked what advice his father gave him before he came to the Combine, the 19 year old Rivers said:
“Understand it's a process, it's crazy, there are a lot of teams after you. And just to always be real and understand it's a blessing to be here.”
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