Strawberry Signs With Phoenix Suns
8/28/2007 8:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Aug. 28, 2007
PHOENIX, Ariz. - Former University of Maryland guard D.J. Strawberry (Corona, Calif./Mater Dei HS) signed a two-year contract with the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday (August 28). Strawberry was taken by the Suns with the 59th overall pick in the NBA's June draft. His two-year deal calls for a guaranteed first season and a team option for the second year.
A four-year standout for the Terrapins, Strawberry appeared in 111 career games and made 72 starts. He finished his career ranked among Maryland's all-time leaders in points, assists and steals. Strawberry scored 1,126 points and ranks 35th all-time in scoring at Maryland. His 316 career assists rank 15th all-time at Maryland, while his 202 steals places him fifth in the school annals.
The Corona, Calif., native was named the Terrapins' Most Valuable Player following his senior season. He led the team and was 11th in the conference with 14.9 points per game last season. Strawberry ranked ninth in the league in field goal percentage (.477) and assists to turnover ratio (1.61). He was named second-team All-ACC and earned a spot on the Atlantic Coast Conference All-Defensive Team after earning honorable mention honors as a junior. Strawberry started all 34 games as the Terps finished the year 25-9 and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Strawberry became the first Terrapin drafted in the NBA since Steve Blake was taken in the second round by the Washington Wizards in 2003. He is the first Maryland player to be taken by Phoenix since the Suns selected Mark Fothergill and Herman Veal in 1984. Strawberry is the 28th student-athlete and 15th Terrapin to be drafted after playing for head coach Gary Williams.
