Bucks.com was on hand for the media availability following the 90-minute workout ...

How did you evaluate today’s workout?
All four guys did a great job. Steve (Novak) is a big time shooter and he’s well prepared in all facets of the game, and he showed that in his workout. The small college kid, Keelan (Amelianovich), is one of the top Division III (Illionois Wesleyan) players in America and he showed why. The Loyola kid, Blake Schilb, is a junior who put his name in the draft. From what I understand he’ll probably go back (for his senior year). He’s a very good player; I can see why he had such a great year. Danny Grunfeld we all know (from his high school career at Nicolet). He came off knee surgery and had a good year this year. He’s strong, physical and a good shooter.

How much consideration do you take into account with Steve Novak playing at Marquette? Eveyone knows him. I know Travis Diener was available last year and you chose not to take him or what have you. Does that play a factor?
Travis Diener, if our roster were different, maybe we would have taken him. We had T.J. (Ford). We had Mo (Williams) and we knew we were probably going to get Charlie (Bell), so where would Travis Diener have fit on our roster? Travis Diener is an NBA player. The same goes for Steve (Novak). Steve’s going to be on an NBA roster. Whether he fits our roster, that’s up for question right now.

Could Novak be available at 39 when the Bucks pick?
He could be, but he might not be.

What are you looking to see out of these ball players?
Quickness, ball-skills, shooting. Some of the things you already know. I’m real big on if you’ve already put in the money and time and effort scouting throughout the year, the workouts should be secondary, just a little piece of the overall pie. I think that’s the way we look at them.

With Steve Novak’s game, what does he need to work on for the next level?
Same thing he’s been working on at Marquette. Continue to get stronger. Try to develop his core strength, so maybe he can get down lower at both ends (of the floor), enabling him to be a little quicker and explosive.

What position do you see Novak playing at the next level?
I think he’s a tweener. He’s not a two (shooting guard). He’s a shooter. You can play him as a three (small forward) or as a pick-and-pop four (power forward) where you put him in a pick-and-roll situation and you make the defense guard him. It spreads out the defense.

What do you like about Dan Grunfeld’s game?
He’s so physical and strong. He can make plays inside and he’s a solid defender. He’s a good shooter. Dan is sort of a tweener, too, between a two (shooting guard) and a three (small forward). If he makes an NBA team it’s going to be because of his physical size and strength at that position. He can make shots and he’s such a solid player all-around.

Is Dan coming off an injury?
He had an ACL injury and he probably wasn’t 100 percent this whole (senior) season. From what I understand, Ernie (Grunfeld) was telling me maybe half-way through the year he started to feel like he was 100 percent.

Are you going to bring any more guys in for workouts?
We can’t get guys in as easily. I was in Los Angeles all last week and will be in Chicago on Thursday to watch guys workout on sight. After Orlando (pre-draft) Camp (June 6-10), we’ll try to get who we can get in at that time. I don’t know how many guys that will be.

With agents telling their clients they’re first round picks, aren’t they’re only so may slots available?
Somebody has to drop to 39th. Chances are that we’ll take a player at 39 that has not come in here for a workout. That would be my bet.

Is there any pressure with being the "hometown" boy?
No, not too much. I've pretty much been here my whole life and I don't really feel a lot of pressure. And the Bucks aren't putting too much pressure on me by saying "we're definitely taking you" or "we're definitely not". So, I just came in and enjoyed the workout and had a good time.

Where do you think you'll go in the draft?
It's really hard to know. It's hard to even speculate. So much can change between now and the draft. I see a lot of the same things that everyone else sees - a lot of internet stuff and that kind of thing. I see projections as early as late first round and other things that say I'm not even (going to be) drafted. So it's hard to know.

Do you avoid reading what people are speculating about you?
I don't go search for things. It's going to be hugely dependant upon what I do in my workouts ... I try not to get too wrapped up in it because I know that, when it comes down to it, it's going to come down to workouts and to prove that I can play at (the NBA) level.

What would it be like for you to play for the Milwaukee Bucks?
It would be awesome. It would be a dream come true for me. With there being as many teams as there are, I know it's not that likely. But to play for Milwaukee would be awesome. I've been here my whole life and they were my favorite team as I was growing up. It would definitely be a dream come true.

How has (Orlando Magic guard and former Marquette guard) Travis Diener helped you in this process?
He's been the person I've talked to the most, probably, just being close to him and with him just going through (draft workouts) last year. Talking to him about this kind of stuff, what to expect, and being able to work out a little bit together - he's shown me some drills and things to expect - has been helpful. Whenever I have questions, he's been the person I've gone to. It's been very helpful.

What do you need to work on the most?
I just need to continue to prove that I can defend at the next level. I need to come out and be intense on defense and show that I can guard in the post as well as the perimeter when it comes to quicker guys. I think most teams know that I can shoot the ball, so if I can prove (that I can improve) my weaknesses, I think that's the biggest thing.

Have you been working out everyday at Marquette?
Since the (Marquette) season ended, I've pretty much been back on the team. I've been in individual workouts with the guys, and coach (Tom) Crean has kept me working out. Now I'm headed out to go workout with my agent and go on some other workout schedules.

How many workokuts do you have scheduled?
Right now, about six of seven. But no more this week.

Are you going to go to Marquette's graduation?
I'll be back for graduation. I've been to the last three graduations, for the other guys. I look forward to it. With myself, Joe Chapman and Chris Grimm, we finally get to see this day come. To come back and have my family there at the Bradley Center once again for graduation will be neat.

You had a pretty good showing at the Portsmouth Invitational. How was that experience?
It was something that I felt some guys were going (to go) and some guys weren't, and I thought it was a great opportunity to go and showcase my skills. I had a great time and I thought I played pretty well. I think I got a couple of looks (from teams) because I went, so I think it was very worth it. I'm glad I went.

This is the same gym where you used to come to when your Dad worked in Milwaukee?
I used to come down here in high school and mess around and bother everyone. Now I’m back at a different level, so it is really nice.

Is it strange to have grown up here and now it’s your time?
It’s nice, really. I have a lot of fond memories, not only from this area, but of this gym in particular. I got to practice here in AAU and came down here to work out, so it’s a nice feeling to be back.

What would it be like to suit up not only for an NBA team, but for the Bucks?
It would be great. I rooted for the Bucks through high school. My Dad worked for the Bucks so I have a lot of great memories from Milwaukee.

Where are you physically after the knee injury?
I’m feeling great. I think I’m back to where I was before I got hurt. It took a lot of time to get back. The first year after an injury like that is pretty tough. For me know, my health is accelerating pretty fast, so I’m feeling good.

What are your strengths as a player?
I think it’s my ability to do many things. I’ve been known as a scorer in high school and in college, but I can also rebound, pass the ball, play a cerebral game and try to make people better. I try to be as versatile as I can. I like to mix it up, but I’m also comfortable on the perimeter shooting jumpers. If I can keep my opponent off-balance and play my game I can be successful.

Do you have a workout lined up with Washington?
I can’t get in touch with anyone down there (says laughing). No one will answer my calls.

Has your Dad been a valuable resource for you as you prepared for this process?
Definitely. Not only as an NBA person, but as my Father. He’s supportive. He knows the business, he was a player so he gives me a lot of worthy advice.

What has your agent been telling you as far as where you may end up?
For me there is a little different set of circumstances because of my injury. People really haven’t seen me play since I hurt my knee my junior year. This last year, my senior year, was sort of a transition for me getting back, having a brace on my knee. But the brace is off now, my mobility is back, so people are going to have to see me again and make that decision. But I’m confident.

Will you try and play no matter what – even if you go undrafted?
Definitely. This is what I love to do. I’ve been doing this my whole life, so yes, definitely.

Having played at Division III Illinois Wesleyan, do you consider yourself a hidden talent compared to the players from larger, more known schools?
I’m the biggest underdog that you could probably think of coming to a workout like this. In high school I was expected to go to a Division I school and there are a couple reasons why I didn’t. What I learned at the Division III level and playing against Division II and NAIA schools is that there is talent spread throughout. It’s good for me to get my name out there and show what I can do comparable to some of these Division I players.

You were a Division III All-American as a player and the College Division Academic All-American of the Year. Do you take pride in one of those honors more than the other?
When I chose Illinois Wesleyan, I had to choose academics along with the athletics. It’s one of the things that not a lot of people realize. I was expected to excel in the classroom as well as on the playing floor. That was quite a challenge, putting myself through the challenges both on and off the court. It was great for me both as a player and a person. That’s one of the advantages of going to a small, prestigious school. I love playing basketball and basketball was probably a little higher priority than academics – I’m probably not supposed to say that as a student-athlete – but I got my studies done and guaranteed myself a job if I don’t play basketball.

I had an internship in Chicago, so I had to workout at nights, which was tough. I guaranteed myself a job with Ernst & Young, though. That’s my back-up plan. I’ve always wanted to play basketball, whether it’s in the NBA or overseas somewhere. If the opportunity is there, I’m going to go for it.

Basketball is my dream. I’ve always wanted to play professional basketball no matter what level it is, since I was little. By playing the way I did at Wesleyan, I gave myself the chance and hopefully I can keep getting my name out and more opportunities like this one will happen. Maybe spark the eye of a general manager or coach and see how it progresses from there.

Did you do any special preparations for today’s workout?
It was tough because I don’t know many people who have been through something like this. A player that played at Wesleyan who finished his European career a year ago, Brian Crabtree, he was with the Atlanta Hawks for a little bit in the summer and he shared some of the things he went through and what could possibly go on. Other than that, it was me and another teammate working out. I did the best I could. I knew there was going to be a lot of shooting and movement drills, so I’m glad we did a lot of that today.

How did you evaluate today’s workout?
I think it went well. It is an honor to be brought in and be considered a Milwaukee Bucks possible prospect. It’s great to have on a resume and say that I did. Hopefully I could play for an organization like this. It shows you have to be in good shape to be able to go through something like this, have a good shooting touch and all-around skills. They tested pretty much my all-around game.

How much do you know about the make-up of the Milwaukee Bucks?
They had some great acquisitions last year that helped them get into the playoffs. I think they’re going in the right direction with some great young talent. That seems to be the trend with teams, playing a running style and getting shots up. The Bucks also have great coaches and a great organization.

What have you done to prepare for the draft before this workout?
I just got done with finals. I’m fresh off finals so my brain is fried. I’ve just been trying to stay in shape - get in the gym - just stay focused really.

How does it feel to be going through this process?
This is every basketball player's dream. It’s crazy to see it unfolding like this, especially with all the support I’m getting - and opportunities like this to come in and work out with the Bucks [coaching and training staff]. It’s a great program. [The Bucks are an] on-the-rise- team – a young team. [These opportunities] keep me in high hopes.

Have you gotten a lot of attention since the announcement of your entry?
I haven’t had that much media attention lately with all the academics and stuff. I’m hoping it will pick up a little bit. Maybe I’ll be on the radar now.

Has your nutritional intake changed with this entry to the draft?
Not really. I’ve always kind of watched my health and tried to eat the right foods. Mom is at home cooking. I’m at home eating the good food so maybe I’ll put on a couple of pounds.

Who has inspired you to take advantage of this opportunity?
That lady right over there. [Points at his mother.] I’m glad she came here with me today. She gives me all the inspiration I need. I don’t ever want to disappoint her. And it's ambition. Everybody’s got it. It’s about how you use it.

When did you start playing basketball?
As far back as I can remember I’ve been hoopin'. My mom would go to work and (I would go) down the street - trying to get in the games with the older cats. They would push me around, but I’m pushing them around now. It’s fun, you know. [The draft process] like I said, is a dream.

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