Some rookies enter the NBA with a great deal of pressure, but Cavs forward Dylan Windler says he is not. In fact, Windler says he is ready to contribute in any way he can.
The Cavs selected Windler with the 26th overall pick in this year’s draft. He’s one of three small forwards listed on the team’s roster, and he could see a fair amount of playing time in his first season.
“I wouldn’t say I feel the pressure yet,” Windler told Forbes.com in a recent interview. “I try not to set too high of expectations for myself since it’s my rookie year. But, I’ll do everything I can every night to get better and do the things I can to contribute to the team.”
Windler, now 22 years of age, played his collegiate ball at the University of Belmont in Nashville, where he earned two First-Team All-OVC nods.
It quickly became evident that Windler possessed a smooth shooting stroke. In one win against Morehead State during his senior season, the crafty marksman knocked down a career-high eight 3-pointers, along with 10 rebounds and three steals.
Windler made 33 appearances with the Bruins in his senior campaign, racking up averages of 21.3 points on 54.- percent shooting from the field (42.9 percent from beyond the arc), 10.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.4 steals in 33.2 minutes per outing.
At this point, it’s not clear how newly-appointed head coach John Beilein plans to utilize Windler’s services, but it sounds like he’ll be ready to answer the bell when it’s rung.