During last year’s NBA season, Houston Rockets guard and Harvard alumnus Jeremy Lin became an instant sensation, lighting up the league for the New York Knicks after playing his college ball at Harvard. But does a Yalie have a shot at being the next Jeremy Lin?
Reggie Willhite ’12, former basketball captain and forward for the Bulldogs, took the first step on Friday. After being named a second-team All-Ivy selection last year, Willhite was selected in the fifth round of the D-League Draft by the Reno Bighorns. The Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings and Utah Jazz are the team’s NBA affiliates.
Last year, Willhite played a major role in the Bulldogs’ fourth-place Ivy League finish. Not only was he named to the All-Ivy second team, but he was also selected as the Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year—the first Eli ever to earn the distinction.
The California native paced the Ivy League in steals en route to finishing 17th in the country in steals per game.
Eighty-seven athletes currently playing in the NBA have spent time in the D-League, which was formed in 2001. The Bighorns will begin their season on Nov. 30 at home against the Santa Cruz Warriors.