Pickup games against Paul Pierce? Just one of the perks of being the son of Celtics coach Doc Rivers. Holding your own in pickup games against Pierce? That's why Rivers' youngest son, Austin, is making a name for himself in the prep ranks.
Austin Rivers is one of the nation's top recruits, ranked the No. 2 junior in the ESPNU Super 60. Older brother, Jeremiah, is already a standout at the Indiana University (after transferring from Georgetown).
Read more on Austin from the Central Florida edition of ESPN Rise Magazine:
Austin Rivers is taking on Paul Pierce during some downtime at the Boston Celtics' practice facility in Waltham, Mass. Just a friendly one-on-one between coach Doc Rivers' captain, Pierce -- the seven-time All-Star, the 2008 Finals MVP, The Truth -- and Doc's son, Austin. Austin hits a couple shots. Pierce returns the favor. Remember, the pros are never serious about this. There's not much of a crowd anyway; most of the players are in the weight room. Nothing to see here. "I was just doing step-backs, really," recalls Austin, who was giving up about four inches and 50 pounds at the time. "Just shooting jump shots." His size notwithstanding, Austin goes up 4-2 in the first-to-five matchup. Pierce, who has built a Hall of Fame career with his plodding, effective drives and crunch-time heroics, is suddenly serious. He starts taking the youngster to the rack, and Austin -- just a high school sophomore at the time -- is powerless to do anything about it. Pierce prevails, 5-4. When asked to recount some of his career highlights to date, Austin doesn't offer this one up. But his dad does. "Austin was pissed that he lost, mad that he couldn't stop Paul," Doc says.
Continue reading HERE. To meet another of Doc Rivers' basketball "sons," hop HERE to read the story of Adam Jones.