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ESPN: SportsNation |
NBA prospect Derrick Williams will be here at 1:15 p.m. ET to take your questions.
Derrick should be here any minute.
Hold on folks. Derrick's taping something for ESPN Mobile and got tied up. He'll be here shortly.
He's here!
Do you get more excitement out of dunking on someone's face or shooting a trey in someone's eye?
Probably dunking on somebody. That's what a lot of fans like to see, see people dunk. Just mix it up and do different dunks throughout the whole game and season.
With a potential lockout looming, Why did you decide to declare for the draft instead of staying for another year at the U of A?
I just felt like it was the best situation for me to go. For me and my family. Even with the lockout, I still feel that at No. 1 or No. 2 pick is still 1 or 2 in the draft. You can't turn that down.
I heard miami is trying to trade up to get a higher pick, are they doing so to get you or do you not even pay attention to that?
I hear trade rumors every day, but I don't really look into it like that. Whatever team picks me, hopefully they're picking me to keep me and not trade me. I'm just really excited to see what team I'm on.
Do you see yourself competing in any NBA dunk contests in the future?
A few people have asked me if I would do it. I think I have to do a couple of spectacular dunks throughout the season to even get nominated. If I have a few dunks that are worthy, then I think I could jump in there.
How would you feel about running the break with Rubio?
I think that would be amazing. Whenever you have a pass first point guard like him, he's out there to make people better. Catching a pass from him, it would probably be a behind the back or no look lob.
What position do you see yourself playing in the NBA, 3 or 4?
Eventually the three. I think I would have a lot of mismatches at the 4. They said the same thing when Paul Pierce was coming out of college that he couldn't play the 3. He proved a lot of people wrong and I plan on doing the same thing.
How has playing under coach Miller prepared you for the NBA?
I think it's prepared me really well, especially with him having a lot of confidence in me to lead Arizona. He told me that if we're going to go far, I'm going to have to play at a high level. When you have a coach with confidence in you like that, it brings out the best in you.
In your visits and workouts, has any ONE city stood out to you as a great city?
I only went to two workouts. I know Cleveland has some of the best fans in the country. I also know that Minneapolis might not have the best weather, but it's a cool city. They both have different pros and cons.
Two years ago, if somebody were to tell you that you would be a top 3 pick in the NBA draft, what would you say to them?
I would say you're crazy. I wouldn't have believed them. I probably wouldn't talk to that guy ever again.
Who is your favorite NFL team and do you think this lock out will get resolved soon?
I watch the NFL a lot. The lockout they're going to is pretty crazy. Two of my favorite teams are the San Diego Chargers. I also like the Eagles. DeSean Jackson and Mike Vick are my favorite players. They're both human highlight reels. You always know you'll have something spectacular to watch.
What kind of preperation have you been going through prior to the draft>
I've been working out three times a day for the last two months, five days a week. I do basketball twice a day and I either do yoga or weights for the other part. Yoga is great for flexibility and preventing injuries.
Do you feel you've put more pressure on yourself to be the Rookie of the Year after your comments on being the No. 1 player in this year's draft?
I always set high expectations for myself. Even if I'm not the No. 1 or No. 2 pick in the draft, I will just be happy to be picked. I want to win Rookie of the Year, but we'll see how it goes.
I just want to say thanks to all of my fans. I wouldn't be in this position if it weren't for my fans. I want to say thanks to all of the fans, especially the Arizona fans.
Thanks Derrick!