When the Chicago Bulls traded with the Denver Nuggets for the rights to Doug McDermott, one person was particularly happy for the former Creighton forward.
"As Doug McDermott sifted through his congratulatory text messages from draft night, one from Brazil stood out," wrote K.C. Johnson if the Chicago Tribune. "Even while attending the World Cup, [Golden State] Warriors forward Harrison Barnes couldn't contain his excitement for his former Ames (Iowa) High teammate.
" 'He's quiet, but one of the most genuine people you'll ever meet,' Barnes said of McDermott. 'I think he'll be a great pro. He'll find ways to score for sure. Our practices were always so competitive. Doug goes hard all the time. It kept practice interesting.'
"The Bulls formally introduced McDermott and second-round pick Cameron Bairstow at the Berto Center [on Monday]. McDermott acknowledged the impact and influence Barnes had on his career.
" 'I learned so much from him,' McDermott said. 'Just his work ethic alone got me a lot better. I followed his lead when I was younger.
" 'He's really excited for me. It will be cool to play against him a couple times a year.'
"Ames High won 53 [consecutive] games and two state championships with McDermott and Barnes, then the nation's top-ranked team.
" 'Doug was a big supporter,' Barnes said. 'He didn't mind that a lot of attention was being placed on me. If anything, it definitely motivated him. And now he'll be a pro.' "
More McDermott
Doug McDermott placed a call and ordered a keg of beer and shots for those who wanted them at the Blue Jay Bar & Grill in Omaha, Neb., after being drafted 11th overall and being traded to the Chicago Bulls.
There were an estimated 100 people in the bar, according to the Omaha World-Herald.
It was a nice gesture by McDermott, and one he can certainly afford considering the rookie-scale first-year salary for a No. 11 pick is $1.9 million.
Perhaps McDermott's nickname should be changed from Dougie McBuckets to Dougie McMoney Bags.
He said it
A few musings from Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald columnist Brad Dickson:
• "An incoming freshman [at the] University of Kentucky received a specially made size 20 shoe from Nike. That seems like a lot of work for someone who's going to probably be on campus for a semester before turning pro."
• "For $17, the Chicago White Sox are serving a 12-scoop banana split inside a full-size batting helmet. Major league baseball concession food is starting to make Paula Deen's cooking and Iowa State Fair grub look healthy."
• "The Jacksonville Jaguars are installing two pools at EverBank Field. For the first time in pro football history, a fan has a legitimate excuse to remove his shirt at a game."
Sports quiz
Where did Harrison Barnes play college basketball?
Answer
Barnes played at North Carolina for two seasons before the Golden State Warriors made him a lottery pick with the seventh overall pick in 2012.
Sports on 07/05/2014