A former Duke basketball standout is taking his talents to Madison Square Garden and New York City.
The New York Knicks are slowly trying to rebuild the franchise, and they are looking to the top college programs, such as former Duke basketball players, to try and bring the team back to prominence.
Following their selection of RJ Barrett one year ago in the 2019 NBA Draft, the Knicks now have gone back to the pool of Blue Devils and signed former Duke one-and-done Austin Rivers to a three-year contract.
Rivers has bounced around with a handful of teams in his professional career, but his most recent stay was in Houston with the Rockets for the last season and a half.
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The Rockets seem to be committed to a full rebuild as trade rumors swirl surrounding All-Stars James Harden and Russell Westbrook.
Austin Rivers’ deal is worth $10 million, and he will battle for a starting role on the team as the Knicks have just drafted Kentucky guard Immanuel Quickley.
New York also has point guards Dennis Smith Jr., Elfrid Payton, and Frank Ntilikina on its roster.
The Duke basketball product is to continue a legacy in New York
Austin Rivers will not be the first person in his family to play under the lights at Madison Square Garden as his father, Doc, also played for the Knicks from 1992 to 1995.
The offspring of Doc Rivers will also have the chance to compete more against his father as the head coach was fired by the Los Angeles Clippers and hired by the Philadelphia 76ers in the quick 2020 offseason.
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Rivers has already played for his father with the Clippers and has experienced eventful situations when playing against him, like seeing Doc Rivers ejected from a game, much to the delight of his son.
Perhaps more memorable moments from both Austin and Doc Rivers are on the horizon as the two get set to battle in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.