Sixers’ Paul Reed sweeps NBA G League’s MVP and Rookie of the Year honors
“Paul has proven himself at every level and I expect the NBA to be next,” Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey said.
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SAN FRANCISCO — Paul Reed was named the NBA G League’s 2020-21 Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year on Monday. The 76ers’ two-way player becomes just the third person to sweep both awards in the NBA’s developmental league.
Reed averaged 22.3 points, 11.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.9 steals, and 1.8 blocks in 15 regular-season games for the Delaware Blue Coats in the Walt Disney World bubble in Kissimmee, Fla. The post player led the league with 12 double-doubles and shot 44.4% on three-pointers.
He was a major reason why the Blue Coats advanced to their first-ever G League-playoff appearance. They lost to the Lakeland Magic in the championship game.
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The Sixers selected the 6-foot-9, 210-pounder out of DePaul in the second round, with the 58th overall pick, in the Nov. 18 NBA draft. He was signed to a two-way contract on Nov. 27.
“Paul has proven himself at every level and I expect the NBA to be next,” Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey said in a statement. “The G League MVP almost always goes to veteran players with experience as a professional. For him to win in his rookie season shows the incredible NBA potential he has.”
Reed, 21, is averaging 3.1 points, 1.7 rebounds and 9.1 minutes in seven appearances for the Sixers.
As a junior last season for the Blue Demons, Reed was the only NCAA player with more than 70 blocks (74) and 50 steals (54). He averaged 15.1 points, 10.7 rebounds, 2.6 blocks, and 1.9 steals. Reed’s 142 career blocks ranked third in school history.
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Reed was a three-star recruit at Wekiva High School in Apopka, Fla. As a sophomore at DePaul, he was named the Big East’s most improved player.
Reed entered his junior campaign as a preseason All-Big East selection. Listed as a power forward, Reed guarded centers at DePaul.