Michigan forward D.J. Wilson became John Beilein's latest first-round draft pick, going to the Milwaukee Bucks at No. 17. Wilson, not expected to go so high, watched from his hotel room and gave access to only one local media outlet.
The Sacramento Bee watched it all unfold, and it was a great moment according to Devon Jones, Wilson's coach from middle school through high school.
“D.J. definitely plays it cool, and he’s very humble,” Jones told the Bee. “ESPN wanted to be at the hotel, and we wanted The Bee there, but he wanted to just to be low key, and he wanted to be in a room by himself (with his mother, grandmother and godfather) when the selection happened, and we respected that."
Wilson emerged from the hotel room after fielding a call from head coach Jason Kidd.
“We went bonkers when his name was called, and then everyone was crying, and he was all smiles, ear-to-ear,” Jones said.
Wilson averaged 11.0 points and 5.3 rebounds and looked like a potential pro in the postseason. He hoped to improve his stock at the NBA scouting combine in Chicago, but he suffered a quad injury and only worked out for Utah.
“For a while there, there were a lot of mixed emotions,” Jones said. “There was talk that he might not get drafted, or he might go in the second round. It was a gamble to come out early. Yet his stock kept going up, an amazing ordeal. The curiosity and his physical characteristics – how long he is, his skill set, his high character – it helped him.”
So, too, did playing for head coach John Beilein. Kidd made it a point to note that Wilson was "well coached" at Michigan ... and now Wilson is the latest who will try to do the program proud.
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