Husky lives dream

Suns shine on Janning

By Dan Duggan | Friday, August 6, 2010 | http://www.bostonherald.com

Matt Janning always believed he’d reach the NBA, but there were times the 22-year-old’s faith was tested.

There have always been detractors quick to point out Janning’s weaknesses.

It started when he was at Watertown-Mayer High in Watertown, Minn., and he was told he was too skinny to ever play varsity. After three years on varsity, including an All-State senior season, he was told he wouldn’t be able to play for a Division 1 college program.

Undeterred, Janning went to Northeastern, where he starred for four years. After he graduated this spring, more doubters said Janning wasn’t an NBA-caliber player.

But Janning got the last laugh, signing a two-year deal with the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday.

“Whatever the deal was, everybody had their knock,” Janning said yesterday. “I’ve continued to prove everybody wrong my whole life. I’ve had success wherever I went and I’m ready to do it at the next level too.”

While signing with the Suns is a major step, only a small portion of the contract is guaranteed. Janning will be fighting for one of the team’s final roster spots in training camp.

“It’s not a time to stop working by any means,” the 6-foot-4, 198-pound guard said. “This is when you have to put more work in than you’ve ever really done, and continue to prove to people that you can keep playing at new levels and getting better.”

Janning drew the attention of NBA executives with strong play in the Orlando and Las Vegas summer leagues. Playing for the Celtics [team stats], Janning had 20 points in his final game in Orlando.

Despite the C’s attempts to convince him to stay for the rest of the week, Janning kept his commitment to the Suns and joined the team in Vegas - where he averaged 12.6 points and 5.8 rebounds in five games.

After his stellar summer league performances, Janning said six or seven teams, including the Celtics, invited him to their training camps. But the Suns showed the most interest and he believes it’s the best fit.

“Just thinking about it, I don’t know if it’s really hit me a whole lot yet,” Janning said. “It’s really a dream come true.”

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