Q: You put your name in the draft this year, what teams did you workout with, how did it go, and what kind of feedback did you get?
A: I worked out for the Raptors, Warriors and the Blazers. The Blazers workout went the best, I got to go up against Danny Green, Josh Shipp, Damion James, Wayne Ellington, and Osiris Eldridge. The workout really helped me compare myself to the top notch players at my position. Portland really liked me, they told me I need to work on my ball-handling and my lateral quickness, which is something I have been focusing on this summer. The Raptors workout was cool, it was just me and Demar Derozan, and I was able to hold my own, so I felt pretty good about that workout.
Q: What have you been doing this summer to prepare yourself for the upcoming season?
A: I have been working out everyday with different Pros and against some real top college players like Anthony Randolph, Patrick Patterson, Demar Derozan, Patty Mills, and Daniel Orton. I have really been trying to challenge myself alot to get ready for this season. I have been doing a lot of work with my ball-handling, also and making sure my stamina and lateral quickness is where it needs to be.
Q: What type of player would you say you are?
A: I always feel like I’ve been a blue-collar type of player, who always tries to hustle, rebound, and be a scrappy player. As of late though I have really been focusing my game on getting my shooting down for the next level, extending my range out to the NBA level, and really putting an emphasis on my ball-handling like I said before. Those are two things that I need to work on if I want to really excel.
Q: What type of player would you model your game after?
A: I would have to say, I look at myself as a Danny Granger type player. I think he played a lot of 3-4 in college, just like I am now. Now that he’s in the league he’s a pure small forward and he’s an all-star. If I can get my game anywhere near his, I will be happy.
Q: You have played for 4 coaches in your college career, which is pretty unheard of. Are you happy now that you are able to play for the same coach two years in a row?
A: Yeah, it’s been a pretty crazy collegiate career, but I am happy how it has turned out. It is really good to have some stability going into my senior year. Coach Walters and the coaching staff really made an effort to help me out last year by running the offense through me. I think that will only improve as I go into my senior year. I am happy that going into this season I already know what to expect from the coaches and practices.
Q: What are your team goals for next season?
A: I want to win the WCC and make the tournament. I think everybody’s goal should be that, if not then I don’t know what they’re playing for. We finished off last season with a couple big wins with only 7 guys, now that we have a full team we should be good. I really like our incoming players, we got some good guards, and we got some big guys that should really help us up front with rebounding. With our schedule, I don’t think it’s crazy to say I expect us to win about 15 games.
Q: You’ve averaged 20 and 7 the last 2 years, but you haven’t won POY in the WCC, does that give you extra motivation at all?
A: Yes, I mean personally it’s kind of a chip on my shoulder, because I feel like I’m the best player in the conference. The problem with that is our team has struggled the past two seasons and we haven’t finished better than 5th in conference. Like coach Walters always tells us, a great player always finds a way for his team to win, and that’s what I am trying to do. I am in the gym with my teammates making sure that everyone is working hard. With that said I think I have put enough work in this summer that I should be a top candidate for the award this year.
Q: You are the only player to have ever played for both Coach Eddie Sutton and Coach Bobby Knight, both with over 800 wins, how do you feel about that?
A: It’s an honor to play for those two coaches, both of them have had a great influence on my game. I have picked up a lot of knowledge and insight from those 2 hall of fame coaches. I am very thankful to have played for them.
