Former Ohio State Buckeyes wing David Lighty, the last member of the “Thad Five” to enter the NBA, grew up a huge Cleveland Cavaliers fan.
Lighty talked at the NBA Draft combine about the prospect of playing for his hometown team.
“I’m pretty sure I will work out with the cleveland cavaliers, but I’m not sure when. It’s getting set up as we speak,” Lighty said.
“It would be pretty big, I know my mother and grandmother would love it. I would love it as well, to grow up there, go to Ohio State. It would be something that’s rare for a player- never leaving the state.”
Very true. It’s hard to think of many players who have done that, played all their basketball in the same state. Playing college basketball and professional in the same area doesn’t even happen all too often.
By Paul M. Banks
Lighty has had one NBA workout so far, with the Oklahoma City Thunder, but has more coming up at the end of the month including the Spurs, Rockets, Bulls and Celtics. He’s had one meeting so far, with the New Orleans Hornets. But obviously, it’s Cleveland which is first in his heart. It’s the team who spent his life rooting for.
“Most definitely, going back to the Terrell Brandon days and Bobby Phills and Brad Daughterty, I go back a little while.”
And it’s an exciting time for the franchise, given what went down on lottery night.
“It was exciting, especially for the Cavs,” Lighty said.
“For them to get a #1 and a #4 pick after what happened last year, it’s something really exciting for the city and I’m glad for them”
Lighty played really well during that first weekend of the NCAA Tournament, in his hometown. Against George Mason he went 9-10 from the field and scored 25 points.
So who would be Lighty’s NBA role model?
“Offensively, I would say Dwyane Wade, we kind of have the same skill set and body size so I watch him a lot.”
Paul M. Banks is CEO of The Sports Bank.net. He’s also a regular contributor to Chicago Now, Walter Football.com, Yardbarker, and Fox Sports
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