Derrick Brown Interview

Tell me about your workouts. How have they been going so far?

They've gone really well, I've done about 10 so far and have 4 or 5 more to go. I feel good about how I've done, and I've gotten a lot of great feedback.

	Derrick Brown

How's your body feeling with all that you've got going on right now?

Well, I was in New Jersey yesterday and then I flew to Sacramento and got in at like midnight or one in the morning and I had to be up for a workout this morning, and now I'm at the airport heading home for a day of rest before more workouts. It's a little bit grueling but I know a lot of people would kill to be in my position so I'm not taking anything for granted. I'm very appreciative of this opportunity.

Which players that have worked out with you have impressed you the most?

Obviously in this process everyone's pretty good. I've gone up against Chase Budinger, DaJuan Summers, all the top small forwards... Austin Daye.

What do you do better than all those guys you just mentioned?

I bring a lot of versatility to the court. My ceiling is high, but I'm not a project, so I can help a team right away next year. You know, I can shoot it, I'm athletic, but I also use my brain out there. A good player has to play smart.

What are you hearing about where you might be taken and who has expressed interest in you?

It's up in the air. I got good feedback from everyone right now. 1^st round is what I'm hearing. A lot of teams are interested... but at the end of the day that's kind of a moot point because you never know who really means it. I'm an optimistic person, but at the end of the day even if a lot of teams love me, it's irrelevant if they don't pick me.

What have you worked on most from last year to this year, and right now as you prepare for the draft?

My aggressiveness. I've been working on becoming a better one on one player. My jump shot is pretty consistent now... but most of all, my aggressiveness.

Many scouts say that in order to make it in the NBA, you have to have at least one skill that's transferable to the next level that can make you successful. What would that be for you?

Playing numerous positions. I can guard smaller shooting guards and bigger post players too. That's my strength - my versatility.

Who in your life has always given you advice you can count on?

My father. He's always given me great advice, not just about basketball but about life. I'm blessed to have that.

	Derrick Brown

Tell me about your upbringing... what was your family life like?

I grew up in Oakland, then I moved to Dayton, Ohio and you know, my parents split... my mom's from Dayton and my father's still in Oakland. I got an older sister who's 27 and she just got married, and I had a close net group of friends as a child. As far as me, I'm a chill guy, I mean I'm outgoing, but I like to just chill. I'm a watch-a-movie-on-a-Friday-night kind of guy.

Were your parents athletes?

No. Actually it's funny. They always joke around about where I got my athleticism from, because they really weren't athletes.

What was your first basketball memory?

Oh man. Let me see. When I was in the fourth grade, I was playing center and I stopped growing for a while. It was funny because I was always really tall when I was young, and then I just kind of stopped growing. I was like 6'0" as a freshman, and I played point guard for the team as a freshman, and then one summer (I think between sophomore and junior year) I had a growth spurt, and everyone was like, "we knew you were going to be tall." I've played a lot of positions over the years.

Which NBA player did you imitate growing up?

Honestly, I really didn't' imitate anyone. I never really was a fan of any team either. I just liked the game.

Which player do you compare yourself to now?

Now I can compare to Tayshaun Prince, because he's long, athletic, smart, versatile, and can guard multiple positions.

Alright Derrick, is there anything else you want people to know about yourself?

Sometimes I got overlooked because I didn't go to the big big university but I feel like I can play with anybody. My talent speaks for itself... and I know NBA teams notice that.

Another thing is I've always been in a winning program, so I'm not used to losing. I can come in right away and be a contributor to a team that needs a versatile player like me. I never had the silver spoon, you know, never was given anything. So I'm just going to continue to work hard.