The sanguine senior took time out for a question-and-answer session while in Dayton this week before leaving for another James camp in San Diego.
Q: How did it go against the NBA stars?
A: Once we went over and practiced with the pros, it was a totally different level. We couldn't get the ball up the court sometimes. I think we got 8 seconds called on us (a backcourt violation in international rules) four times in a row. But I was able to be me — get out and run the floor and rebound. I got a couple of dunks and blocks.
Q: Did you mesh with the NBA guys?
A: Most of them were about my age. There were only a couple that were older, like Lamar Odom, Gerald Wallace and Chauncey Billups. The rest of the guys are younger guys, under 25 or 26. We all had pretty much the same things in common off the court — except their pockets were a lot fatter than mine.
They did a little gambling, but I stayed away from the gambling tables because I don’t have any money to lose. If I lost it, I’d have to tell them to send me back home.
Q: Durant is the NBA's next big thing. How'd he look?
A: He's unbelievably good with his footwork and being so tall. He's really, really long (a 7-foot-4 wingspan). I think he can scratch his knees standing straight up.
That was the person I was checking the most. ... He’s just as long, just as fast and just as skilled as a point guard like (Rajon) Rondo and can shoot sometimes just as good as Ray Allen. And his handle is real good. I was really challenging myself on defense against him. I made him frustrated sometimes because of my strength. But at the same time, you can’t stop him from scoring.
Q: What was the best conversation you had there?
A: It was me, Kemba Walker of UConn, Scoop Jardine of Syracuse, Shelvin Mack from Butler, JaJuan Johnson of Purdue and (the Memphis Grizzlies') Rudy Gay. We were in the training room, talking for hours. (Gay) was asking how our coaches were. He was saying how coach (Jim) Calhoun would get on his nerves, and I'd say how BG (UD coach Brian Gregory) gets on my nerves sometimes. But he said, basically, it's all out of love. They just want to make you tougher.
Q: Did you know you were picked as a preseason third-team All-American by Dick Vitale this summer?
A: I wasn't aware of that. It's Dickie V, so I guess he knows what he's talking about. At the same time, my thoughts go back to last year when we were preseason everything. We didn't accomplish some of the things we wanted to accomplish, although we got (an NIT) championship out of it. You just have to continue to work. But ... thanks, Dickie V.
Q: Have you enjoyed all your travels?
A: I'm ready for school to start. I'm excited about the year. I'm looking forward to seeing the students. That was one of the things the (NBA) guys who left early said, that they missed the whole college atmosphere. I said, "I've got one more year of it, and I'm rubbing it in."
Q: Did Gregory really have to leave a USA practice because of NCAA rules?
A: We went over there (to face the NBA players) and were warming up, and I saw him standing against a wall. We were about to start, and he was gone. I asked him later what was going on. He said they told him no one was allowed to watch if they had a player out there. I said, "I guess you don't have as much pull as you thought you did."
Q: How has your game improved this summer?
A: Decision-making. That's one of the big things I really wanted to improve on. The reason sometimes it looks like I can't shoot or I'm not shooting is because of decision-making. I either would try to force a shot and it was a bad shot, or I'd force something that wasn't there. ... But I've slowed down on offense. This year is going to be totally different.
Q: Freshman point guard Juwan Staten had a nice dunk during the team's pickup games Monday. Impressed?
A: He was going on about how he needs to be in the Flight Club (players on the team with 40-inch vertical jumps or better). But I told him I'm the president. I'm one of the ones who started it. You don't come to me and say you ought to be in the Flight Club. I haven't said anything. If I say you're in, you're in. London (Warren) had close to a 40, but he wasn't in it.
Q: Freshman forward Ralph Hill can get up.
A: Yeah, but it's not Flight Club get-up. If it's not Flight certified, then I don't know about you.
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