Reunited

Arizona Daily Wildcat Geary was taken 56th overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers and is now playing for head coach Mike Fratello. Geary scored a career-high 11 points on Jan. 20 against the Utah Jazz. He is averaging 0.8 assists and 1.2 points in the 25 games he has played in.

They rarely get the chance to even take off their warm-ups and check in at the scorer's table.

But Davis and Geary, now rookies with Phoenix and Cleveland respectively, are not bothered by these changes in their lives, though.

In fact, they both approach each day as a learning experience that they hope will someday lead to the similar success they enjoyed at the collegiate level.

"To be a part of this and see it every day is just going to make me a better ball player in the long run," guard Geary said.

"I'm just trying to learn every day," Davis said. "I'm trying to take something from practice, something from the shootarounds, and something from the games we play when I get to watch all the great players and see what they're doing."

The former UA teammates, who played together for the 1994-96 seasons, were reunited on Friday when the Suns hosted the Cavs at America West Arena.

Neither player saw action in Phoenix's 94-88 win, but just spending a little time together was enough for the former roommates.

"I lived with Reg, so I kind of saw enough of Reg. No, I'm just kidding," Davis said. "I was so happy to see him and know that he's doing well and that everything's okay with him."

Davis, who was selected 43rd overall in the second round of the 1996 NBA Draft, recorded career-highs of seven points and five rebounds against the Chicago Bulls on Nov. 20.

He has played in 14 games this season and is averaging 1.8 rebounds and 1.6 points per game.

"The NBA is tough and a lot of hard work, but it's fun," Davis said. "Compared to college, the achievements have been smaller, but the rewards have been bigger."

Geary said that playing in the Pacific 10 Conference enhanced his skills and helped prepare him for the NBA, but he said that the differences between the two leagues are night and day.

"The Pac-10 is quality basketball, but this is the NBA and the world's best and it truly is," Geary said. "These players out here, they work their games like adults."

"I could have never known what to expect because no one's experience is the same," Davis said. "You just have to know the game because everyone's good and you have to set yourself apart."

Geary was selected 56th overall in the second round of the draft. Although he was the third-to-last player selected in the draft, he made the Cavs roster. Unlike some of the draft picks selected before him, like fellow UA teammate Joseph Blair, who didn't last with the Seattle Supersonics' active roster and is playing overseas.

"He's a terrific young man and I'm glad that he's made our roster," Cleveland head coach Mike Fratello said. "Everyday he's in there working against Terrell Brandon, who's a good guy to work against to improve. I see steady improvement as we go longer in the season."

Geary scored a career-high 11 points on Jan. 20 against the Utah Jazz. He's averaging 0.8 assists and 1.2 points in the 25 games he has participated in.

"Reggie's in a position of knowing his role. Knowing that, he's got to be ready at all times and when we call for him we can count on him to come in and perform," Fratello said. "When he gets his calls, as long as he's ready to go and he comes in and produces, he'll be in good shape."

Although Geary is enjoying himself in the NBA, he misses the lifestyle he got accustomed to at the collegiate level.

"I miss the camaraderie of the teammates and the coaches and just the whole college atmosphere," Geary said. "It's definitely more professional at this level."

The Cavs rookie finished his collegiate career as Arizona's all-time steals leader with 208. Jason Terry, Geary's former teammate and current UA sophomore guard, recently said his career goal was to break Geary's steals record.

"All the power to him," Geary said. "I know JT. He's a player that goes out there every night and plays hard and tries to make things happen. So if JT does it, I'll consider it a compliment."

Geary, who said he follows the Wildcat basketball team "most definitely, every night and every game," will be watching Terry, among others, closely.

"When they lose I feel for them, and when they win, I'm bragging about them," he said.

Davis and Geary, who were all-conference first-team members as seniors, said they doubt they will see each other this summer.

Davis plans to return to Tucson to work out, while Geary said he will probably stay in Cleveland.

"I've worked all my life, ever since I was a little kid to get here. Then (to) make the team and have the opportunity to be around some great players," Davis said. "It's just a dream come true."

Wildcat photographer Ian Mayer contributed to this report.