Player workouts for the 2006 NBA Draft continued Thursday at the Presbyterian Hospital Training Center at Charlotte Bobcats Arena with Managing Member of Basketball Operations Michael Jordan in attendance to watch Connecticut’s Rudy Gay go through his second workout with the Bobcats. UNC-Charlotte’s Curtis Withers, Maryland’s Nik Caner-Medley, Wake Forest’s Trent Strickland and Georgetown’s Brandon Bowman were also in town, all for the first time.

Following his 2004-05 freshman season at Connecticut in which he averaged 11.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.9 blocks for the Huskies in 31 games, many media members were projecting Gay to be a possible Top 5 pick in the 2006 NBA Draft. He didn’t disappoint during the regular season at UConn in 2005-06, increasing his averages in points (15.2), rebounds (6.4) and assists (2.1) while blocking an average of 1.6 shots and leading the Huskies to a No. 1 seed in the 2006 NCAA Tournament before they made an early exit at the hands of upstart George Mason.

Withers was named to the 2006 First Team All-Atlantic 10 after ranking first on the team in rebounds (11.3) and blocks (0.88) and second in scoring (16.1 points) while recording 18 double-doubles. The 6-8, 246-pound forward scored 20 or more points 11 times and had 15 or more rebounds eight times for the 49ers.

Caner-Medley earned Maryland Team MVP honors, as well as being named to the 2006 All-ACC Third Team after leading the Terrapins in scoring (15.3 points), rebounding (6.3) and steals (1.1) his senior season. The 6-8, 240-pound forward ranks 15th on the all-time Maryland scoring list with 1,551 career points and 10th with 113 career three-pointers.

Strickland played in all 34 games, and started 33 at Wake Forest in his senior season, averaging 11.6 points and 6.7 rebounds. The 6-5, 216-pound guard/forward connected on 48 percent of his shots from the field in 2006, including 44 percent (40-90) of his three-point attempts – the ninth highest single-season percentage in Wake Forest history.

Bowman led the Hoyas in steals (1.1) and was the team’s third leading scorer (11.0 points) and third leading rebounder (5.0) in his senior season. The 6-9, 223-pound forward scored 20 or more points three times and scored in double-digits 20 times and twice hit four three-pointers in a game.

BobcatsBasketball.com visited with Bobcats General Manager & Head Coach Bernie Bickerstaff, Gay, Withers and Caner-Medley after the workouts:

(On Curtis Withers) Well, we’ve seen him play since he’s been here and he’s been really good. And he was good down in Orlando. He’s a kid we are considering for 50, if not, he will definitely be on our summer league. He will have an opportunity to participate on our summer league team. So he can rest assure.

(On the cancellations) Yeah, I was frustrated.

(On Gay’s game) What I like is his perseverance. After what he has gone through, we wanted to see how he worked in that situation and he was working it. He’s athletic. We’ve got this thing narrowed down to about six guys here. So when you talk about (Andrea) Bargnani, we are trying to get him over here. They just won a championship, so we are just trying to get him ready for a workout -- and there is Thomas, Roy, Aldridge and Morrison. So we’ve got this narrowed down to six -- we should have it down on June 28.

(On Gay’s second workout meaning more interest) No, Morrison was supposed to come in too, but he couldn’t make it -- we invited him. And because of Aldridge not coming in, it does not indicate a lack of interests or the same with Thomas, there is no lack of interest. We’re in the opinion right now that whatever the teams do out there, there can only be two guys that go before we pick.

(On Michael Jordan at the workout) I think it’s an addition. I’ve always been a guy to think input is important. I think we are all on the same page -- how do we make this better? There’s a nice foundation that has been laid. How we make this basketball team better is always important. And it’s important that we are all on the same page and we are all in consensus.

(On post workout discussions with Jordan) We just talk basketball and exchange ideas. I think it would behoove both of us to listen.

(On getting on the same page with Jordan) We will get it done. I don’t have any reservations about that, and we will make the right decision.

(On the option of trading the third pick) Yep, there are some, but none that are worthy at this time. Everybody has their pistol out at this time, and they want us to take our hands and put them up -- and we aren’t willing.

(On offers for Brevin Knight) You know what’s happening, we haven’t responded. It’s probably them waiting on us to make a decision or to get back and again there has been nothing worthy of what Brevin brings to the table in terms of his value to us. The bottom line with me and what people don’t understand is that we are sticking to the model, so we’re not desperate.

(On foreseeing a trade in the first six picks) I can tell you three is a possibility. I cannot speak for anyone else.

(On having Michael Jordan watching him) He’s one of the best players who has ever played, if not the best, so it means a lot to play against him and to get his input on how I play. Yeah, he watched and showed some points of interest and stuff like that.

(On his nervousness) No, I’ve played in front of him a couple times before. I went to his camp a couple of times, so he’s seen me before.

(On the feedback of the Bobcats) I’m not sure, I told my agent not to really tell me anything. So I don’t get my hopes up or get my hopes down or anything like that. I just want to be surprised.

(On the second workout) It’s totally different this time -- Mike is under control now, so it’s a totally different feel. It’s still tough. It was like that before and it’s still like that.

(On why he would be a good pick for the Bobcats) Well, my athletic ability and my versatility to help the team out.

(On other workouts) I’ve been to Portland, Chicago, Toronto, Minnesota -- I don’t have any more scheduled, this is my last one.

(On the whole process) This is basically like going on job interviews. This is what I plan to do for the rest of my life -- this is my job, so on all of these I have to be on my best behavior and do everything right.

(On next week) It’s going to be a stressful week and draft day is going to be a stressful day, and I’m going to be anxious and cannot wait to find out what happens.

(On playing with Michael Jordan there) It’s a good situation to be in. I basically have an opportunity to hear what he has to say about my game. I haven’t talked to him yet, but I’m not too sure what to think.

(On his ties with Bickerstaff) At my first UConn practice, he was there ,and now I’m getting to know him from a personal stand point. No, that doesn’t work to my advantage -- I think everyone has a good chance by being picked by these guys. That’s why this draft is so up in the air -- you never know what you are getting into.

(On his relationship with Bickerstaff being an advantage over other players) I’m trying to keep an open mind, you know. He could pick me, but he doesn’t have to really. I wouldn’t be surprised if he does and I wouldn’t want to be surprised if he doesn’t, so I’m just keeping an open mind about this entire situation.

(On Bickerstaff seeing more of him than any other player) That just means he’s seen my good spots and my bad spots, but that really doesn’t make a difference.

(On why he thinks Bickerstaff likes UConn players) I think because we come out of college ready to play in the NBA. We are usually mentally tough and we run NBA sets at UConn, so nothing is really new to us.

(On working with Jordan) It was a dream come true. I mean I’ve been to his camp the last three years and was a counselor, so I’ve met him and worked with him before, but just to have him run a workout -- it motivates you not only to play for an organization like this but to workout for him and to play in front of him. It’s a great honor and a dream come true as a player that grew up idealizing him. He wasn’t necessarily running the workout, but he was there, you know helping us through things and giving us pointers on ways to be more effective. He was active and was there helping motivate us and letting us know that we are working towards our future. It was great to have him there. And like I said, it was very motivational. He was on the court helping us out and running some of the drills, and he had on regular business clothes.

(On where he is lead to believe he might go) No one leads me to believe anything -- I don’t pay any attention. I handle my business and work hard everyday, I come to every workout and give 100 percent. At the end of the day, if I get drafted then it would be a dream come true, and if not I will continue to work hard and reach my goal playing in the NBA.

(On other places he’s worked out) I’ve worked out quite a bit of places. I’ve moved around. I’ve had show case workouts where about 12 or 13 teams came in, and been working out in Chicago, where I train. I’ve been to Sacramento, LA Clippers, Detroit, and am going to Dallas, Utah and San Antonio.

(On what it would be like to play for the hometown team) I have the opportunity and I accept the challenge. I would do anything to stay in Charlotte. Right now I just have to get in (to the NBA) -- that’s my approach to it right now. It’s different from college. It’s strictly basketball -- I’m in basketball school right now.

(On other workouts) I went to Memphis last week. That’s all I’ve done so far and the pre-draft camp. I’m going to Dallas today and I’m waiting to hear back from two other NBA teams.