Late in the season, Virginia guard Reece Beekman often addressed media questions with a final year at UVA tone. On Wednesday, Beekman made that official as he declared for the NBA Draft. He had a bonus year available due to the NCAA eligibility freeze during the pandemic at the start of his career.
The senior shared a social media post with Cavalier fans to make the decision public.
Beekman entered the NBA Draft last year as well, but withdrew on the final day allowed by the NCAA to return to Virginia. With feedback he received from the process, he then went to work on leading the Hoos as the primary point guard and playmaker this season. He helped UVA post a 23-11 record and make the NCAA Tournament field.
For his senior season, Beekman put together his best campaign as a Wahoo. He averaged 14.3 points, 6.2 assists, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.0 steals. That marked career highs for scoring and assists, while he also set new career marks for field goal attempts (both 2’s and 3’s) and free throw attempts. He shot 48.7% from 2-point range, 31.0% on 3’s, and 75.4% at the charity stripe. He earned second-team All-ACC recognition.
The Wisconsin native finished his UVA career with 1,195 points, 636 assists, 428 rebounds, and 228 steals. He became the school’s all-time steals leader in the process, surpassing the record set by Othell Wilson from 1981-1984 (222). He ranks third all-time in assists behind Kihei Clark (718) and John Crotty (683).
That steals number only tells part of the tale for Beekman defensively, though. From the time he entered the lineup as a freshman, Beekman quickly established himself as one of the best defenders on the floor. He went on to win back-to-back ACC Defensive Player of the Year Awards, the first guard to do that and the first player to repeat since UNC’s John Henson in 2011 and 2012.
As the season unfolded, Virginia coach Tony Bennett frequently pointed out Beekman’s value and play on the floor, calling him “one of the more underrated guards in the country.” Bennett clearly implied that an NBA franchise will be happy if it ends up with Beekman in the organization too.
“He tested [last year]. He saw where it was. I hope people when it’s all said and done look at him and say man how much he’s improved,” Bennett said. “This to me is important for his development and his future. He’s having to do things and get stretched because of the spot he’s in and we need him. His game is improving in all areas and I think it’s significant. … Those who have eyes let ‘em see and I think when the time is right, he’s going to make someone pretty happy.”
The NBA Draft Combine is scheduled for May 13-19 in Chicago. The NBA Draft is scheduled for June 26 and June 27.
