New Orleans Hornets draft Austin Rivers; the start of a new journey – NBA Update
When NBA Commissioner David Stern announced the 10th overall pick for New Orleans Hornets, following their selection of Anthony Davis as the number one pick in the draft, it confirmed the start of new journey for a certain Austin Rivers who had
spent his entire life circulating around the league circuit with a dream to be playing in the NBA one day.
Austin had spent his entire life going to matches, watched players train for tough matches and got to see what goes on in the locker rooms with his father Doc Rivers, former NBA star and now coach of the Boston Celtics.
He had the experience of watching NBA players train privately behind closed doors while observing with a keen eye to be in their place one day and it finally came true on Thursday night.
“My whole life, it’s almost been a tease,” Rivers said. “I’ve been there firsthand but I’ve never actually been a player; to see how the players prepare themselves, how they live, what games are like, what big games are like. I’ve wanted it so bad and I
just worked so hard and my family has helped me and God, and now I’m here and I’m just looking forward to getting there and playing basketball.”
Doc was present alongside his son as the commissioner announced the selection and shared a long embrace with Austin before wishing him the best for his career in the NBA.
Coming to adorn the teal and orange colours of the Hornet, Austin has all the expectations to supersede the senior Rivers who held an average of 10.9 points in his playing time.
When asked whether Austin can be a better player than him, Doc without any hesitation wished his son good luck and hoped him to be a far more exceptional player then he ever was.
“I hope he is,” Doc said.
Both father and son are very excited for the coming years as they look forward to taking on each other in the next season and after, hoping to out-eclipse one another.
Even though Davis is predicted to be the better of the two rookies, Rivers has been known to put up standout performances during his freshman season while playing for Duke.
Austin is known to be the type of player who can create his own offense and the ability to drive combined with the scorching long range shooting made him stand out from the Duke system.
He held an average of 15.5 points in his freshman season and is all set to embark on his own journey with the Hornets, ready to make his own name from here on in the NBA.
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