Emeka Okafor Press Conference - June 25, 2004

General Manager & Head Coach Bernie Bickerstaff:
We’re elated to be able to start and build our franchise and our basketball team around a young man who dominates the game on defense. I think that’s how you win basketball games – through your defense, through doing the dirty things. It’s been a long week, a long month, a long year, but we’ve finally arrived and this is what it’s all about – a product. We think this is the beginning of something good for the Charlotte Bobcats.

Emeka Okafor:
I’d like to let you guys know how happy I am to be here. I’m getting a real nice feeling and a real warm welcome. I’m looking forward to being part of this new franchise and new family and having a lot of fun with the people here in Charlotte, North Carolina.

What does being selected to play for the Olympic team mean to you?
It’s a great honor. It kind of came out of nowhere, I wasn’t really expecting it. I’m going to have an opportunity to do a once-in-a-lifetime thing. Who else can say they are an Olympian at age 21? The fact that I will be with a lot of NBA players before the season starts means that I can learn a lot from them and I can start the season off with a running start.

Take us through what you went through mentally when you realized you were going to be selected by Charlotte.
Up until 7:30 p.m. when it started, I was calm as can be. After I heard Dwight Howard’s name, I knew that my name was going to be called by Charlotte but I still felt jittery. I was like, “Oh, dang. This is for real. This is not a test run. I’m actually about to be drafted,” Once I heard my name, I got up and hugged my parents and started walking, I was like,”Dang, I’m finally here. Let’s get it started.”

Knowing the history of basketball in Charlotte and now that you’re part of an expansion team and you have a new arena and there’s a lot of excitement now that you’re on the team, are you feeling extra pressure?
Not at all. I feel like I can handle it. It’s all fun to me. If wasn’t challenging and there wasn’t any pressure, where’s the fun in that. There’s a lot of buzz, a lot of uncertainty and that’s what makes things worth doing.

What are your strengths on offense?
I’m a good back to the basket player. I’m very strong once I get myself situated. I feel comfortable with my back to the basket. My face-up game could use some work, which I plan to work on.

EMEKA OKAFOR ONE-ON-ONE

Can you tell the fans about your family background?
My parents came from Nigeria in the late ‘70s with a thirst for education. They came here, worked hard, got their degrees and had me along the way with my little sister. From a young age, I always saw them working hard and they instilled those values in me. That’s what I took to heart and applied it to my own life – academically and basketball-wise.

Have you graduated from Connecticut?
Yes, I graduated in May and went to my ceremony. It was like a stamp, “It’s over! I did it! This phase of my life is officially over. It’s time to open a new chapter.”

Did you enjoy college or were you ready to get out?
I loved college. I loved everything about it. It’s carefree time. You’re in that in-between stage between childhood and adulthood. I didn’t have any bills because of my scholarship.

Do you feel that it will be different now that you’re a pro and it’s your job?
Nothing is ever like college. They say college is a unique time of your life, so I’ll never replace that time. I know there is going to be good times ahead of me and I know there are going to be a lot of challenges, especially being on an expansion team, but that’s fun.

What has it been like the past 24 hours?
A lot of press and a lot of questions. I haven’t gotten much sleep, so it adds more to the surreal feeling. I feel a little detached -- Am I really here? Did this really happen? It’s almost kind of a dream-like state.

What’s next for you?
I’m going to go back to Houston. I need to sleep in my own bed for a little bit and remember what that’s like. I want to unload my mind and just relax a little bit.

Is being compared to David Robinson an honor for you?
He had a great career, so it’s nothing but an honor to be compared to him. I think everybody in this league is just unique. I can’t really say that I want to play like this person or that person. Everybody brings something different to the table.

What would you say to the young players going straight to the NBA after having had the experience of college?
To tell the truth, it’s like to each his own. If you are a high school guy and all you want to do is play basketball, you don’t like school and someone is throwing a lot of money in your face, more power to you. In my case, I wanted to have the college experience. I know you couldn’t place a money value on the experience that I had, so it’s definitely something worth looking into.

How beneficial do you think playing in the Olympics will be in your transition to the NBA?
I should be able to learn some tricks of the trade and just get comfortable. I will be playing with the best over there and practicing with them. When you practice with the best, it just gives you that mental edge that “Okay, I’m prepared. I’ve been there, I’ve done that.” So, when I play in the season, things will come really easy.

Do you talk with any of your former teammates about what it’s like being in the NBA?
They say that it’s a whirlwind. It’s a completely different atmosphere. You have to be careful and you also have to be focused.

Is it true that your dad really got you started in basketball?
I lived in Oklahoma for two years when I was 8-10 years old. The community was real small and all the kids played sports. My dad decided that if all these guys were doing, you’re going to do it to. You’re not just going to be a bum and sit around. So, I would come back one day and my dad would say “Okay, you’re playing soccer.” Then later we were driving and he said “I put you in basketball. We’re going to practice right now.” He would do so many things without telling me, but he knew I would love it.

Have you loved basketball ever since?
I loved it. From the moment I picked it up, I was hooked.