The coach pulled him aside before a workout, issuing advice that D.J. Strawberry might not have needed. Still, it served as a reminder what someone in his position — second-round prospect — must do.
So when Phoenixassistant coach Alvin Gentry, a former head coach, told Strawberry, “don’t worry about scoring; we like you for your defense and that’s what you do best,” the Maryland guard paid attention.
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“A lot of teams are going to need a good defensive player like me,” Strawberry said.
But potential second-round picks fall there for a reason and Strawberry’s downfall is his offense. Though he averaged 14.9 points as a senior, he’s not considered a consistent shooter.
And his ballhandling, by his own admission, needs work.
However, the 6-foot-5 Strawberry already has a defined role awaiting him, one that he embraces — as he did when he first arrived at Maryland as a freshman.
Naturally, he envisions himself as a Bruce Bowen or Raja Bell type, noted defensive players in the NBA.
“They never give [their man] anything easy,” Strawberry said. “That’s what I pride myself in. I want to get my chance at making their night as long as possible. I think I can do that in this league.”
His college coach is sold.
“I’m not shocked if he went in the first round,” Maryland coach Gary Williams said. “The NBA scouts see a guy who can keep a point guard out of the lane. We always put D.J. on their best penetration guy.”
Of course, both Bowen and Bell also hit the open shot. As another aside, they also went undrafted and are on their fourth teams.
Strawberry is prepared for anything.
“Not everywhere will be your style of play,” he said. “But when you do find that right team, you’ll be there for a while … I’m just trying to catch the eye of one team. You definitely want to get picked; that’s what you play for.”
