Myrtle Beach native Ramon Sessions reminisced on the great times he had at the University of Nevada-Reno on Saturday when he was honored by the school prior to the Wolf Pack's game against Boise State. Saturday was dubbed "Ramon Sessions Night."
Sessions called the university a "second home" when he spoke to the media after the game. Prior to the game he was presented with a framed No. 11 home white Wolf Pack jersey, which he wore for three years, and a highlight video of his playing days there was displayed for fans in attendance.
A particularly interesting part of the story is when Sessions was asked about his situation with the Minnesota Timberwolves and he said he has three years left on his contract but wasn't sure if they would be spent in Minnesota. He has popped up in trade rumors for this season, which has a deadline of Thursday. He has also been mentioned as a player who could be moved this summer if the Wolves reach an agreement with Ricky Rubio, who is still in Spain.
Below is the full story on the Reno Gazette-Journal's Web site, www.rgj.com.
By Chris Gabel
Reno Gazette-Journal
It had been three years since Ramon Sessions walked into the
interview room at Lawlor Events Center and looked out at reporters and
TV cameras. But -- other than the suit an NBA salary can get someone
instead of a Wolf Pack jersey -- it was like he never left.
"Where are the box
scores?" he asked as he sat down.
"This is like a second home to me," Sessions later
added.
For three
seasons, Reno and the Nevada campus were Sessions' home, and he returned
Saturday night for the "Senior Night" he never received after deciding
to turn pro following his junior season.
Sessions was given a framed No. 11 home white Wolf
Pack jersey. Sessions and the crowd of 7,598 also were treated to a
highlight video of the guard's best moments during the pregame ceremony
prior to Nevada's 88-80 overtime win over Boise State.
"Look at that young guy; a young Ramon Sessions in a
Wolf Pack uniform," the now-23-year-old Sessions said. "I remember those
days like they were yesterday. They'll be with me forever."
A three-year starter,
Sessions led Nevada to three WAC titles and three NCAA Tournament
appearances. He is second on the Wolf Pack's career assists list with
478.
After being
picked by the Milwaukee Bucks in the second round of the 2007 NBA draft,
Sessions started his pro career in the Development League before
setting a Milwaukee franchise record with 24 assists (to go with 20
points) against Chicago in March 2008.
He signed a four-year, $16 million contract with the
Minnesota Timberwolves this past offseason and is averaging 10.3 points
and five assists per game in his NBA career.
This season hasn't been quite what he thought it
would be. Sessions is averaging career lows in points, assists and
minutes.
"There's
going to be an upside to this," Sessions said Saturday. "I'm just living
the dream so I can't complain.
"I got three years left on my contract. I'm not sure
if they'll be there (Minnesota) or not. We'll see what tomorrow brings."
Sessions was taken by
Milwaukee with the 56th pick in 2007, about 30 picks later than many
experts were predicating. But having already signed his second NBA
contract, Sessions does not regret his decision to forgo his senior
season at Nevada.
"A
lot of guys look at the Web site here and there, but you got to get all
the right information," Sessions said.
And he would reiterate the same if asked by any
college player thinking about making the jump early -- Nevada's Armon
Johnson and Luke Babbitt have been targeted as potential underclassmen
who could leave school after this season.
"In my situation, people talked about me being late
first round and I ended up being the 56th pick," Sessions said. "So you
never know. If you decide to go, make the decision and live with it.
Work as hard as you can.
"If
they need me for anything, they can reach out to me."
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