Maine news, sports, weather from Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram, Portland, Maine

March 8

Red Claws' Jeremiah Rivers: The product of parenting

The 6-foot-5 guard has been blessed, but learned to make his own way because of Doc and Kristen Rivers' values.

By Kevin Thomas kthomas@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer

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"He's moving so much better," Doc said.

Kristen said Sunday was "one of the biggest joys of my life, just watching him move and play, and just enjoy basketball again. I don't think he's enjoyed it like this since eighth or ninth grade, just in terms of being pain-free. It's been a long hard road. I'm extremely proud of him."

Rivers is averaging 6.4 points a game but his forte is defense. A 6-foot-5 guard, Rivers plays man-to-man defense like he's a shadow.

"I love the way he plays basketball. He's one of the best defenders I know," said teammate DaJuan Summers, who was also Rivers' roommate at Georgetown.

"He's probably one of the best people I know. A very helpful person. He has a good heart."

Rivers said he liked Georgetown except for the basketball team's slow style of play. He transferred to Indiana and discovered something besides fast breaks.

"Jacobs School of Music," Jeremiah said. "I loved it there."

Rivers majored in general studies but his minor (and passion) was music.

As a kid, he was someone who only fooled around on the family piano.

Now Rivers is going professional as a music producer.

He is the producer for a duo known at 24K -- "musical hip-hop" according to Rivers, who also helps write some of the music. The group's first video and single will be released soon, and the group has been invited to play in the South By Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas, on March 15.

The Red Claws play in Portland on March 14 and then play their next game in Austin on March 16.

"I'm going to be on the first flight, smoking out of here to see them perform," Rivers said.

Flying all over the place and working hard, just like his dad.

Rivers credits his parents and grandparents for the work ethic.

"I think (dad) and mom instilled the same values their parents instilled. I think they've done a fantastic job," Rivers said.

"We were taught that you want to create your own life for yourself. We see the hard work my dad puts in. We see the hard work my mom puts in. It rubs off on you."

NOTES: Rivers had practiced at point guard since Shelvin Mack was signed by the Atlanta Hawks. But the Red Claws obtained another point guard Thursday, trading a second-round draft pick next year to the Canton Charge for Josh Selby. Selby, 6-foot-2, was a second-round draft pick by the Memphis Grizzlies in 2011. He was traded in January to the Cleveland Cavaliers and assigned to Canton. The Cavs removed him from the NBA roster March 3. The transaction was made even easier since Selby flew to Portland on Thursday with the Canton team and then joined the Red Claws. This two-game series with Canton is big because the East Division-leading Charge (22-15) have a two-game lead over the Red Claws (21-18).

Kevin Thomas can be reached at 791-6411 or:

kthomas@pressherald.com

Twitter: KevinThomasPPH

 

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