Former UNC Wilmington basketball standout Chris Flemmings was selected in the 2017 NBA G League draft this past Saturday. Flemmings, a 6-foot-5 guard, was selected seventh overall by the Reno Bighorns and was later traded to the Boston Celtics’ affiliate Maine Red Claws.

“The support I’ve received has been amazing,” said Flemmings. “Everyone from family and friends to past coaches and teammates. The support from UNCW and the city of Wilmington has been incredible and I will always be thankful for the opportunity to play there.”

Flemmings also said the UNCW basketball program has done a great job helping him prepare for this moment, as they always preached having the mindset of a champion and having to put in the necessary work if you want to be successful.

Flemmings, a native of Cary, NC, had an unorthodox journey to UNCW.

He graduated from Green Hope High School as a two-time all-conference selection but had only a handful of Division I offers from some mid-major schools. In the end, Flemmings decided to go to Barton College, a Division II school in Wilson, NC. After being a standout at Barton for two years, Flemmings decided to transfer to UNCW.

NCAA transfer rules required Flemmings to sit out the 2014-15 season, but he had no issues fitting in with the Seahawks once he could play. He led the team in scoring his first year as a Seahawk at 16.1 points per game and shot a very efficient 51% from the field. He also helped UNCW win the conference title and he was a first-team all-conference selection.

Flemmings did not slow down during his senior season. He made first-team All-CAA again and was the Seahawks’ second-leading scorer. His 15.7 points per game were the seventh-highest mark in the conference last season. Flemmings also helped UNCW win its second straight conference title.

Flemmings ended his career as one of the most accomplished basketball players in school history. On February 23, 2017, he became the 22nd player in UNCW history to score 1,000 points and finished his career at UNCW with 1,087 points, 388 rebounds, and 128 assists.

The NBA G League is the NBA’s official minor league basketball organization. The G League is used to help prepare players for the NBA. The league consists of 26 teams, all of which are single-affiliated or owned by an NBA team. Flemmings will begin his career with the Red Claws on Nov. 3 when they take on the Delaware 87ers.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge of competing daily against some of the best players,” said Flemmings. “Everyone was a great player on their college or previous team so you have to come with it every possession. I want to become the player I know I can be and push my game to a higher level than what it was at UNCW. I’m blessed and grateful for the opportunity to continue playing basketball and achieve my goal of becoming a professional.”