Dae Dae Grant’s NBA dreams are one step closer.
After a year spent playing professionally overseas, the Lorain grad is getting his first taste of the league as a part of the New York Knicks’ Summer League team.
Seeking an NBA contract, Grant is excited and grateful for this opportunity.
“It means a lot to me to be able to accomplish one of my lifelong dreams that I’ve had since I was a kid,” said Grant. “To be on this stage is a blessing and I can’t thank my lord and savior Jesus Christ and my supporters enough. It’s a huge blessing and I’m just highly appreciative.”
Duquesne’s Dae Dae Grant reacts after his team defeated St. Bonaventure in the semifinal round of the Atlantic 10 Conference tournament on March 16, 2024, in New York. (Peter K. Afriyie – The Associated Press)
All 30 NBA teams are participating in the 11-day event in Las Vegas. Every team plays four games before Summer League culminates in a tournament to crown a champion.
Grant and the Knicks have played two games so far, losing both. In their opening game against the Pistons on July 11, Grant played 10 minutes and made two 3-pointers to finish with six points. He played 11 minutes and scored three points in the loss to the Celtics on July 13.
The Knicks have two more games before tournament play. They play the Nets at 6 p.m. July 15 and the Pacers at 4:30 p.m. July 17. The games are on ESPN2.
In front of not only the NBA, but the world, Grant is motivated to show what he is capable of. Playing well this week could result in great things for him.
“It makes me super hungry,” Grant said. “I have the tenacity to continue to prove and show that I belong here. Just go out there and play my best as well as within the system and what they need and want. But (I also want) to showcase what I can do because that’s another reason why I’m here.”
In his final year of college basketball in 2023-24, Grant led Duquesne to its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1977. He earned Atlantic 10 Tournament MOP honors along the way and helped the Dukes pull a first-round upset over sixth-seeded BYU.
Following his stellar senior season, Grant signed his first professional deal last October with KK Feniks 2010 Skopje of the First League North Macedonia. He put up monster numbers in three games, averaging 28.3 points per game before joining KK SPD Radnički in Serbia.
After another short stint in Serbia (he averaged 22.9 points per game in nine games), Grant signed with CB Breogán of the Liga ACB (the highest level of Spanish basketball) in December.
In 23 games with CB Breogán, Grant averaged 14.2 points per game and shot 40.6% from 3-point range.
Playing in Europe was a challenge as a player and person for Grant, but he learned a lot in his time there with hopes to staying in the United States for good in the NBA.
“I learned there’s a lot of ups and downs – you’re alone,” Grant said. “Nobody is there to hold your hand, it’s a culture shock. I knew what I was getting into but I had to adapt to playing with my new teammates. Being open-minded is what I really looked forward to. Staying open-minded gets you a long way playing over there.”
Grant’s focus this summer is helping the Knicks win in Las Vegas and showing he belongs in the NBA.
“(Summer League) is super important,” Grant said. “Everyone’s hungry and that’s a good thing. Some are hungrier than others and I feel like I’m one of those people. I go out there and have the same mindset I’ve had since I was a kid.
“I’m trying to play harder than everyone and play my game. I’m going to do what I can and be a sponge and soak up as much information from these guys as I can to get better.”