Interviewed players include Greg Oden, Thaddeus Young, Kevin Durant, Spencer Hawes, Paul Harris, Brandan Wright, Wayne Ellington, Tywon Lawson, Derrick Caracter, Lance Thomas, Earl Clark, Damion James, Daequan Cook, Curtis Kelly, David Lighty, Duke Crews and Edgar Sosa.
DraftExpress High School All-star Game Coverage:
McDonald's All-American Game Recap
Nike Hoop Summit, Team USA Preview
Nike Hoop Summit, International Team Preview
Nike Hoop Summit, Team USA practices
Nike Hoop Summit, International Team practices
Nike Hoop Summit, Game Recap
Roundball Classic, Practice Report
Roundball Classic, Game Recap
At the Jordan Classic: Thursday AM Practice
At the Jordan Classic: Thursday PM Practice
At the Jordan Classic: Friday Scrimmage
At the Jordan Classic: Main Event and Regional Game Recaps
Jordan Classic
Joseph Treutlein
Thaddeus Young
DraftExpress: What did you think of your performance in todays scrimmage?
Thaddeus Young: I think I played ok. I didnt do very well on the offensive side, but I played good defense, got a couple of steals, played the passing lanes, and pretty much contained my man.
DX: What do you think you need to work on the most heading into the NCAA?
TY: Everything. Youve got to work hard at everything, in every aspect of your game, just take your hard work in there.
DX: What position do you project yourself at?
TY: Small forward, shooting guard.
DX: Ive been told you were planning to head to the NBA this year if not for the new draft rules, is that true?
TY: If I was gonna be a top 10 pick, I was gonna go.
DX: So you wouldve tested the waters, basically?
TY: Yeah. If I wouldve known I was a top 10 pick, yeah.
DX: Do you plan to leave after your freshman year at Georgia Tech?
TY: It all depends, you know. If I have a good first year and Im projected as a top 10 pick and I know Im going to go in the top 10 in the draft, Im going, but its not really a big deal right now.
DX: What were your reasons for choosing Georgia Tech?
TY: Basically because of the coach there, the players, the city, the school, most of all the great academics, and its in the ACC.
DX: Many people think you could come in and help turn the team around quickly. How much of an impact do you think you will have your first year?
TY: If I come in and work hard, and get used to how the ACC players play and how the college stuff goes, I think Ill be a big impact to the team and conference. We have a good class coming in, though, so its not just me.
Thaddeus Young: I think I played ok. I didnt do very well on the offensive side, but I played good defense, got a couple of steals, played the passing lanes, and pretty much contained my man.
DX: What do you think you need to work on the most heading into the NCAA?
TY: Everything. Youve got to work hard at everything, in every aspect of your game, just take your hard work in there.
DX: What position do you project yourself at?
TY: Small forward, shooting guard.
DX: Ive been told you were planning to head to the NBA this year if not for the new draft rules, is that true?
TY: If I was gonna be a top 10 pick, I was gonna go.
DX: So you wouldve tested the waters, basically?
TY: Yeah. If I wouldve known I was a top 10 pick, yeah.
DX: Do you plan to leave after your freshman year at Georgia Tech?
TY: It all depends, you know. If I have a good first year and Im projected as a top 10 pick and I know Im going to go in the top 10 in the draft, Im going, but its not really a big deal right now.
DX: What were your reasons for choosing Georgia Tech?
TY: Basically because of the coach there, the players, the city, the school, most of all the great academics, and its in the ACC.
DX: Many people think you could come in and help turn the team around quickly. How much of an impact do you think you will have your first year?
TY: If I come in and work hard, and get used to how the ACC players play and how the college stuff goes, I think Ill be a big impact to the team and conference. We have a good class coming in, though, so its not just me.
Edgar Sosa:
DraftExpress: What did you think of your performance in todays scrimmage?
Edgar Sosa: I think I played pretty good. I hit a couple of deep three pointers, but in the second half I kind of got a little anxious and turned the ball over maybe twice, so I got to tighten up on that. But Im just out here trying to have fun and play with the guys.
DX: What part of your game do you think you need to work on the most?
ES: As far as preparing myself for college, I think I need to work on my strength, work a little bit on my defense, and my shot selection. I think being a pure point guard in college, you have to know when youre going to shoot and when youre not going to shoot, so thats what I need to learn as far as playing college basketball.
DX: So you expect to step in at a pure point guard role at Louisville next year?
ES: Yeah, I expect to step in as a pure point guard. Coach says I can help them out a little bit in scoring, but Im not going to have to do too much scoring. I just have to get it to those who score the ball, and just run the team and play defense.
DX: What led to your choosing of Louisville?
ES: Just coach Pitino. Hes a great coach, he prepares everyone to get to the next level, and I know when I get there, Im going to work my hardest. So if I want to play in the NBA, hes the right coach for me.
DX: How do you think his (Rick Pitinos) experience at the NBA and NCAA levels will help you?
ES: Because he knows what NBA players are capable of and he knows what it takes to get to the NBA. Im just going to go out there hoping that he pushes me everyday. Im gonna push myself, and maybe I can get to that level if I work hard enough.
Duke Crews
DraftExpress: Whatd you think of your performance in todays scrimmage?
Duke Crews: I think I played fairly well. I rebounded well, held my position on the floor well. So far Im just looking forward to the game tomorrow.
DX: What part of your game do you think you need to work on the most?
DC: Everything. Theres room for improvement in every part of your game. Im not going to pinpoint one thing in my game. I just need to work on everything as a whole.
DX: What led to you choosing to attend Tennessee to play for coach Bruce Pearl?
DC: I believe in him as a coach. For me, he was the right fit for me: the academic program, its a great recruiting class, and on top of that, I wanted to choose a university that I could leave a mark on. You know, be known as a guy that helped get the university to a certain level, as far as nationally, and maintain that. At the end of my career, I want people to say when you think about the University of Tennessee, you think about Duke Crews, one of the great players to play there.
DX: What role do you expect to play next year?
DC: Im looking to go in and work hard. And you know, no ones promised anything going into college. You could be the number one player in the country or the last player on the bench. Im just going to go in and work hard, earning my time, and then when I get my time, being productive on the court, at both ends of the floor.
DX: Do you project yourself at a certain position on the floor, between SF or PF?
DC: Athlete. I just go out and play hard. Whoever you tell me to guard Im going to guard and whatever you tell me to do Im going to do.
J.L Weil
Brandan Wright:
[New York] is a fast city, man. Quite a change from Nashville. All the skyscrapers, the people walking around. Im really enjoying myself so far.
Its hard for the big guys to get touches in these type of games. Theyre really guard-oriented because they handle the ball more, but I just got to go out there and play hard, make plays.
A combination of things everything. Strength, ball handling, shooting from around 12 or 15 feet and finishing at the hole. All the things you need to get ready for the next level.
Question: Whos the best player youve faced thus far in your career?
Greg [Oden] is the best player Ive faced so far. Hes just a big, strong guy. He can make a lot of plays.
Tyler [Hansbrough] is going to demand a lot of double-teams, so I have to be there to pick up the slack. Its kind of a change, since hes a big bruiser on the inside, and Im more of an athletic, slasher type of post player. Itll be a nice change-up.
Brandan Wright
DraftExpress: How do you think youll fit in with Hansbrough at North Carolina?
Brandan Wright: I think Ill fit in great. I think Ill be a great compliment to him. Hes a big body guy, a powerful low post guy, I think Im just the opposite, a more agile, athletic guy who can hit the 12 footer when hes getting doubled. Im just trying to open it up for him, because hes going to be the man next year, and hes going to be our leader, so Im really looking forward to it.
DraftExpress: Do you know what your wingspan is?
Brandan Wright: I think its 74. Maybe 76. I think its 76 actually.
DraftExpress: What position do you envision yourself playing down the road?
Brandan Wright: I see myself playing more at the 4, but also being able to step out and play a little 3, just trying to create mismatches for the defense. If they try and put a smaller man on me Ill take him inside, if they try and put a bigger guy on me Ill face him up, just a guy who can take advantage of every situation.
DraftExpress: Who do you pattern your game after?
Brandan Wright: Mostly K.G. Hes a long, athletic guy who can shoot the J, handle the ball, post moves, he just does it all, and he plays hard too. I like the intensity he has.
DraftExpress: What weaknesses do you think you need to improve during your first year of college?
Brandan Wright: Well, obviously Ive got to work on my strength, and Im just going to work on everything. Everythings going to need improvement, going to the ACC. Ball handling, shooting, just the whole 9.
DraftExpress: How do you think your style will fit in with the international style at the Hoop Summit?
Brandan Wright: I dont know, Ive never played against international players, but I know they like to spread it out and shoot the ball. They want to spread it out, so Ill try and get my hand in their face, block a few shots, just try and get out there and outrun them. Use our athleticism to make plays on them.
DraftExpress: What do you think your best skill is right now?
Brandan Wright: Running the floor, blocking shots, rebounding, hitting my jumper, facing up in the post, I think those are some of my strengths.
DraftExpress: What do you think of the NBA age limit?
Brandan Wright: Its not bad at all. Players like me and a few other of these guys out here may have made the jump, but this is going to help us out, having to go to college, seeing where you stand, getting strong and stuff like that, and improve your play.
DraftExpress: Is it nice being at this game with some other North Carolina recruits?
Brandan Wright: Ah yeah. Were representing North Carolina well, having three guys playing on the U.S.A Team. The other three guys in our class are very good also, so were just going out there and trying to represent.
DraftExpress: Thanks a lot for your time.
Brandan Wright: No problem.
Paul Harris:
On his vocal style:
Its just an instinct. I just want to be the leader out there. Let everybody know Im there on helpside D, let them know Im there and just go out and have fun.
Honestly, to yourself, you have to be true to yourself and I know Im not ready. Im ready to go to college.
On what he brings to the floor most: Energy, leadership and energy. Just let the other team know that Im out there.
For me, its working on conditioning and shooting. If I can work on those two, I think I can be all right.
Paul Harris
DraftExpress: You have a body type that seems more like an NFL linebacker than a high school basketball player. How did you go about building it up?
Paul Harris: Well, you know I just do a lot of pushups, I never really lift weights. I started this year, but then I stopped when it started hurting my arms.
DraftExpress: What do you think your position will be at the next level?
Paul Harris: I say swing man/3.
DraftExpress: How do you think your up tempo style will fit in with the slower Syracuse offense?
Paul Harris: Well, I gotta do what the coach say. If thats what he wants, then I gotta adjust my game to that.
DraftExpress: If the NBA rules you eligible for the draft, is there any way you would consider declaring?
Paul Harris: No, Im not ready. I want to go to college.
DraftExpress: What areas of your game do you feel you need to work on the most?
Paul Harris: My jumpshot. The number one thing.
DraftExpress: How do you plan on improving your jumpshot?
Paul Harris: Shooting hundreds and thousands of shots a day.
DraftExpress: You played on a really loaded Notre Dame prep team this year. Do you feel that helped or hurt your exposure?
Paul Harris: Well it doesnt matter you know. We finished number one, thats all that counts.
DraftExpress: How do you think your style fits in with the International style?
Paul Harris: I think if we just come out and play our game and play tough D, we can win the game.
DraftExpress: Whats the deal with the whole Lets Go thing (Paul yells this phrase seemingly 50 times per game)?
Paul Harris: (laughing) Lets go. Play hard and win.
DraftExpress: You have a huge following in the Niagara Falls area. Do you think many people made it down to see you in this game?
Paul Harris: Not that much. Id say in the Jordan Classic there will probably be more.
DraftExpress: With one true point guard on the Hoop Summit roster, do you expect to see time there?
Paul Harris: Well if thats what they put me at, thats what Im going to do.
Kevin Durant:
Im a hard worker. I like to play with a lot of passion. As you can see, I scream a lot on the court. I leave it all between the lines. There are no friends on the court, just me and my teammates. I think Ill bring that to Texas, plus my inside-outside game.
Theres a lot of talk that I might have [gone straight to the NBA], but I try not to think about it. I might have, who knows.
I was a point guard before I got to be 611. In a whole summer, I grew about six inches. I just wanted to keep everything [his PG skills] with me. All the players in the NBA, they can dribble and shoot, theyre versatile, they do it all pretty well.
"Any position that coach wants me to play, really. I think I can play from 2 to the 5, maybe not the whole game, but somewhat .. .even some point guard."
To me, every time I shoot a jumper, I think its going in. Thats why I shoot a lot. In the first half, I shot a lot of jumpers, but towards the end of the game, I started taking it to the hole more, and pull-up jumpers. In this game, Im not going to try and take as many jumpers, but if its open, Im gonna knock it down.
There were some real good international players. Especially the big guy, Sene. I didnt realize he was that good. Im not going to be surprised if some of those guys are in the NBA.
Theres a lot of talk that I might have [gone straight to the NBA], but I try not to think about it. I might have, who knows.
I was a point guard before I got to be 611. In a whole summer, I grew about six inches. I just wanted to keep everything [his PG skills] with me. All the players in the NBA, they can dribble and shoot, theyre versatile, they do it all pretty well.
"Any position that coach wants me to play, really. I think I can play from 2 to the 5, maybe not the whole game, but somewhat .. .even some point guard."
To me, every time I shoot a jumper, I think its going in. Thats why I shoot a lot. In the first half, I shot a lot of jumpers, but towards the end of the game, I started taking it to the hole more, and pull-up jumpers. In this game, Im not going to try and take as many jumpers, but if its open, Im gonna knock it down.
There were some real good international players. Especially the big guy, Sene. I didnt realize he was that good. Im not going to be surprised if some of those guys are in the NBA.