Lots of people learn the “family business” growing up, but most don’t have one as exciting as the NBA. Incoming Duke Blue Devils Frosh Gary Trent Jr. has been around the National Basketball Association his whole life, as the son of former player Gary Trent.
Like the title of the Ernest Hemingway novel, the son also rises, as Trent is consensus five star shooting guard. Scout ranks him the 12th best prospect in the entire nation, while ESPN has him #8 and 24/7 sports has him #10.
His father was a 1995 NBA Draft Lottery pick, by the Milwaukee Bucks, who then dealt him to Portland. Trent the Elder would go on to play in the association for nine seasons with four different teams. He also has powerful, well-connected, name brand friends, who can help him in showing the ropes to his son. As you already know, Duke is a Nike school, and the sportswear brand has a massive presence in the NBA. Go here for Avail Latest Nike deals & Offers. Nike was certainly all over the McDonald’s All-American Game last week.
“That was big, my dad being a professional athlete, playing in the NBA,” Trent the Younger said at McDonald’s All-American Game Media Day.
“He still has a lot of ties and connections to a lot of players and a lot of people. For example I call Kevin Garnett my uncle, Uncle Kevin, and Uncle Sam, Sam Cassell as well.
“They’re great people I love ’em to death and for me to have the opportunity to pick their mind, see what they’re about.”
“Just seeing the lifestyle that they’re living that’s something I want to be a part of. They both had successful careers and were great professionals. Now they’re retired, and someone has to fill their shoes, why not me,” Gary Trent Jr. continued.
There was a lot of talent and potential at the MCDAAG, but none of them can boast the bloodlines and relate to the advantages that Trent has had.
First things first though, Trent heads to Durham to join a team with very high expectations next season; even by Duke standards. The Blue Devils lose Jayson Tatum, Harry Giles, Amile Jefferson and Matt Jones, but are expected to return Frank Jackson and Marques Bolden. Grayson Allen and Luke Kennard may, or may not return next season.
No matter how you slice the minutes up, Trent will be a major contributor, on a team that is expected to begin the season ranked in the top five.
Here below is the audio of Gary Trent Jr. at MCDAAG Media Day:
https://soundcloud.com/p-m-banks/duke-signee-gary-trent-jr-mcdaag-media-day
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times and NBC Chicago.com, contributes to Chicago Tribune.com, Bold, WGN CLTV and KOZN.
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