The Cleveland Cavaliers paid to land Kay Felder at this year’s NBA Draft, and now his decision to forego opportunities as a senior in college has paid its own dividends.
The 21-year-old had a degree of security in knowing that the organization paid $2.4 million to the Atlanta Hawks on draft night to help acquire his services, but that just meant more motivation to prove his worth:
“That means a lot to give up all that money for one pick,” Felder said. “Man — I owe them. They gave up a lot for that pick, and I need to come in there ready to work from Day 1.”
That work rewarded the former Oakland University point guard with a three-year contract signed Saturday, as announced by Cavs General Manager David Griffin. The deal ensures he’ll make at least $1 million, and possibly up to several times that.
Felder performed well in seven games (six starts) during the Las Vegas Summer League, putting up averages of 15.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists in roughly 30 minutes per game.
Prior, though, significant doubts persisted from most about the former Detroit Pershing product’s prospects, albeit many related to his stature. But he got the momentum rolling heading into draft night by putting up excellent numbers at the NBA Draft Combine, reaching 44 inches on his maximum vertical leap, the second-highest recorded in its history. Felder also landed in second among players there in the three-quarters court sprint.
The Horizon League’s all-time leader in career assists (788), Felder broke onto the national scene as a junior in 2015-16 for the Golden Grizzlies, averaging 24.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 9.3 assists and 2.0 steals. He didn’t shy away from big-name opposition, either; the 5-foot-9 guard with a deadly step-back put up big points against Georgia (23), Washington (38), Virginia (30) and Michigan State (37). Felder also had a six-game streak where Oakland went 5-1 and he did not miss a free throw.
Felder, who’s dad of the same namesake was a talented point guard in his own right at Eastern Michigan, was a Detroit PSL MVP, and eventually became the first player in Oakland history to record a triple-double when he did so against rivals Detroit in February 2014.
