Willie Reed came from the Reno Bighorns to play for the Indiana Pacers’ Summer League team. While he was with the Bighorns, he garnered several awards, including All D-League Honorable Mention, and he was named to the NBA Development League’s All-Defensive Second Team.
Pacers brass have a lot to keep their eye on with Reed and Donald Sloan, two of their Summer League starters. If Sloan and Reed continue to play solid basketball, they should have no problem earning uniforms with the big club over the winter. Reed can help the Pacers defensively, a spot where the Pacers were suspect against Miami, to say the least.
When Reed was asked what attracted him to Indiana, he said it was their defensive style of play.
“I love defense and therefore that makes playing for the Pacers a great fit if I’m blessed enough to make their team,” Reed told JeremiahBoyce.com.
Even though the NBA Development League is a level down from where most basketball players want to be, it’s still a good teaching tool for today’s NBA players.
“I learned how to play the NBA-style game,” Reed told JeremiahBoyce.com. “There was really good talent to go up against.”
Reed is already aiding the Pacers with strong defense this summer, averaging 3.3 blocks along with 9.7 points and 5.7 rebounds. If I was Roy Hibbert, I would watch out.
