The Student News Site of Weber State University

The Signpost

The Signpost

The Signpost

The Signpost

Latest YouTube Video

Berry to play in senior All-Star Game

BryanButterfield-BigSkyChamps-103
(Photo by Bryan Butterfield)
Weber State University senior Davion Berry raises the Big Sky Conference Tournament MVP award as he exits the court. Berry was named to the Associated Press All-American Honorable Mention Team Monday.

Just when it looked like his playing days for Weber State University were over, one more call came in for senior Davion Berry. He was selected to participate in the 2014 Reese’s College All-Star Game on Final Four Friday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

The National Association of Basketball Coaches announced on Tuesday the rosters for the 2014 game, which features 21 of the top senior college basketball players in the country playing on the NCAA Final Four floor.

“I’m hoping for a chance to showcase my skills and play against the best and go out there and prove it,” Berry said. “I just want to be what I have been the whole year — making the right plays, shooting when I have to, rebounding, being a great leader, talking to my guys, whoever I play with. I just need to keep being myself, not be anybody else.”

The game is played as part of the events during Final Four Friday. It will be televised on tape delay on Saturday at 10 a.m. on CBS. Stanford University’s Johnny Dawkins will coach the West All-Stars, while the University of Maryland’s Mark Turgeon will coach the East All-Stars.

_D4S6786
(Source: Darin Hogge)
Weber State University senior Davion Berry drives the ball in a game against the University of Arizona during the NCAA Tournament. Berry was one of 21 seniors to be named to the Reese’s College All-Star game that will be televised Saturday.

Berry is just the second player from the Big Sky Conference to ever participate in the college All-Star Game, which is now in its sixth season. Northern Arizona University’s Cameron Jones, who now plays in the NBA Developmental League, appeared in the 2011 game.

“It is a testament to Dev,” said WSU head coach Randy Rahe. “He’s had a tremendous season and he earned that right to be there. We are really, really proud of him.”

The 6-foot-4-inch guard was named the Big Sky Conference MVP after leading WSU to the Big Sky title, the Big Sky Tournament title and a trip to the NCAA Tournament. Berry was also named to the Associated Press All-American Honorable Mention Team on Monday, as well as being named to the Big Sky All-Conference First Team and earning All-District honors for the second-straight season. 

Rahe said he spoke with Berry about what this trip could mean to his future.

BryanButterfield-BigSkyChamps-93
(Photo by Bryan Butterfield)
Weber State Unversity senior Davion Berry hugs head coach Randy Rahe after the Big Sky Conference Championship game. Rahe fought for Berry to be able to play in the Reese’s College All-Star Game Friday.

“It’s a a great opportunity,” Rahe said. “There’s going to be a lot of people watching that game — scouts and so forth. It’s a good way to start him if he wants to play professionally, and he will at some level. It will be a good opportunity to start getting looked at. I talked to him about what a great opportunity it is for him.”

As for how Berry should play, Rahe said he didn’t want to fix what wasn’t broken all season.

“I told him, ‘Just be who you are and do what you do,'” he said. “‘Be who you are and play how you play and you are going to do a great job.’ I really think that he will. I think he will have a good showing and do very well.”

Berry led the Wildcats this season, averaging 20.2 points in Big Sky play. He also led the Wildcats in assists and steals. He scored 24 points against the University of Arizona in the NCAA Tournament.

Berry spoke on the surreal experience of playing in the tournament and the chance he will get Friday to play one last game as a Wildcat.

“I just saw dreams coming true,” he said. “From me being little, I just dreamed about being able to play in March Madness. I used to play the college basketball game on PS2 and create myself and play the game. To see that come true, it’s a great feeling. It just felt like a video game. I always had a dream to play in the NCAA Tournament.”

Rahe couldn’t say enough about how proud he was of his star guard.

“He’s really deserving of it,” he said. “It’s a great honor for him to be selected. They selected 21 seniors across the country to play in it. For him to be one of them, it’s a really big honor for him. It’s a great reward for him.”

Leave a Comment
More to Discover

Comments (0)

Comments written below are solely the opinions of the author and does not reflect The Signpost staff or its affiliates.
All The Signpost Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *