What’s on his mind moments after being drafted?
BROOKLYN, NY — Right after Rasheer Fleming was drafted to the Phoenix Suns, Bright Side got to do a 1 on 1 with the team’s newest member where he shared what’s on his mind moments after hearing his name announced, just like we got to speak to Khaman Maluach after he got drafted yesterday.
Flemming, 20, is a 6’9” forward who played three years in college at St. Joseph’s and averaged 14.7 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game on 53.1% shooting and 39% from three.
(The following answers have been lightly edited for brevity and clarity.)
What are you feeling right now?
Rasheer Fleming: Just a burst of enjoyment and excitement. Honestly, I can’t even speak up to how much (pause), it’s just an overwhelming feeling for real. It’s a great experience for me.
With those feelings, is there anyone that you want to thank or shout out?
RF: Yeah, my mom, my dad, my mom, has been there with me, the whole way in terms of just the whole journey, like everything, basketball wise, everything. And my dad, that’s where my competitive, comes from. Like, you’re (his dad) the first guy to put basketball in my hands. I wouldn’t have been here without either one of them.
Was there an inflection point in your career when you realized I’m gonna be here, I’m gonna do this?
RF: It’s always been my dream and my goal to get here. So at the age of, like five or six, I had it set in my mind I’m going to the NBA. Later on in my career, I feel like things might have not looked that way, maybe in that time, but I think I really started to see it grow and be about maybe, like, sophomore, junior year (of College).
What did you say to yourself during those moments of doubt?
RF: Nothing. I just kept working. Put my head down and keep working.
What are you gonna do when times get tough in the NBA?
RF: I mean, those moments, I just go to God like I kind of keep steadfast. I never change in those type of moments, because I always have the Lord to lean on. So there’s nothing going to change from that perspective.
What do you what do you know about Devin Booker’s game and what do you think you can provide to it?
RF: Elite baller, for sure, in the league he does a little bit of everything. So just as a teammate for me, taking whatever shots he needs me to take, I’ll be open. I’ll be open doing whatever’s needed from me. I feel like I’m a team player for all the guys.
So every single year in college, your role and production improved. How are you able to do that at the next level?
RF: I think everything’s gonna be the same. I got here for being consistent in what I’ve been doing. So I’m gonna keep on doing the same thing.
The Suns traded a lot of assets to get you. What does that mean to you as you start your career with them?
RF: It’s a great feeling for me, because it’s kind of that same feeling I had with St Joe’s coming in, coming into college. It’s a team that really sought out for me and think I could contribute just to the team and organization overall, just as a person, as a player, kind of everything. So I really appreciate them taking that chance on me, and I can just go out there and do.
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