CHICAGO – At the time of Nick Boyd’s media session at the NBA draft combine, the former Wisconsin guard had only met with one team.
That was the Golden State Warriors and they put it pretty plain in their feedback for Boyd, who measured 6-foot-1 and 176 pounds.
“Got to be scrappy as a small guard defensively,” Boyd said. “And said to focus on defense. As a small guard, obviously, bring positive energy. Bring the group together, be a leader.”
Boyd checked all those boxes in his lone season with the Badgers in which he averaged 20.7 points per game. He also spent time at Florida Atlantic and San Diego State.
“Just playing in the Big 10, you know, best of the best competition, each and every night you’re going up against pros,” Boyd said. “So that just prepared me for opportunities like this, and I’m just trying to make the most of it.”
Boyd definitely crackles with energy on the court.
“I think it just comes from since (I was) a kid trying to prove myself, everybody telling me, no, you, you can’t do this, you can’t do that,” Boyd said. “When you finally get to a point where you can prove yourself, it just comes out and it’s just my love for the game.
“I love basketball. I love waking up every single day. The first thing I do when I wake up is think about basketball. What do I need to do to be ready? What do I need to do to get better?”
UW coach Greg Gard learned how to harness that motor and let Boyd attack relentlessly on offense.
“I came into practice every single day and busted my tail,” Boyd said. “I think he loved that about me.
“He trusted my leadership skills as well. Just every single day coming to practice with the right mind-set in terms of positive energy. And, you know, my hard hat.”
Boyd is also going through the draft process alongside former UW backcourt mate John Blackwell, who also has committed to Duke if he withdraws from the draft.
“It’s definitely something I’m proud of,” Boyd said. “Two Wisconsin guys, though he kind of went to the other side.
“I’m happy for him. His work ethic throughout the season and just the way he kept composure and stayed focused through all the ups and downs of the season was impressive and it showed me a lot.”
Boyd likely won’t get drafted due to his size. To get a shot in the NBA, he’ll have to grind through summer league, training camp and probably the G League.
“Man, patience,” Boyd said. “Obviously, you get anxious in a process like this. You want to get to all the big stops at the big events like the draft combine or draft night or workouts.
“But just patience and entrusting your work and constantly reminding yourself you know who you are as an individual and just stay confident.”
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: UW guard Nick Boyd trying to reach the NBA as a small guard
Reporting by Ben Steele, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
