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

Is it harder having the 39th pick than, say, the 10th pick?
Well, you just broaden the numbers. So I guess it is more difficult. You have to research more players. The numbers just multiply.

What kind of a player are you looking to go after?
I think the first thing we’ll look at is the best player. If it comes down to position, right now a power forward or a wing athlete, a two or a three, that can get up and down the floor.

What was it like seeing Coby Karl (son of former Bucks head coach George Karl) back in this facility?
He did a great job today. He’s really grown up. He has a good basketball body. He’s got the long arms and he’s explosive. He’s always been a good shooter. He belonged in this workout. I’m not speaking for him, but I think he’s going back to school and he’ll be a guy to watch next year if he does.

Is it even more impressive to know that Karl is here after having battled thyroid cancer?
I talked to him at length about the whole situation and he’s handled it great. It sounds like he’s one hundred percent. You watched him workout today and he looked very good.

Which players in particular did you want to get a look at today?
Steven Smith and J.P. Batista are both seniors in college and they’re both second round prospects, so we definitely wanted to see them. Trey and Coby are both talented players and they put their name in early. They’re both in the decision making process as to whether or not they’re going to withdraw their name and go back to school. We wanted to see Coby because we know him and wanted to see how he’s developed. And Trey, we weren’t that aware of him as a player, so we wanted to see him play.

Did anyone surprise you today?
J.P and Steven I know very well. They both did what they do. I’d be surprised if they’re both not drafted.

When did you start playing basketball?
I started playing basketball when I was ten or eleven.

What are some differences you have noticed between the United States and Brazil?
This is the ultimate goal. This is where the best of the best basketball [players] play basketball – in the U.S. You play soccer in Brazil. I know that every kid that plays basketball dreams of coming here because of the NBA. For me, it’s helpful to think about the NBA, but I also thought about the opportunity to get a college education on a full ride – use basketball to get an education. In Brazil, we don’t have that kind of support, so for me it’s a blessing.

How have the workouts been going?
Workout have been great. Every place is a little different and some places are similar. At this point, I’m a lot better shape-wise. In the beginning it’s kind of hard because the NBA is a different level so it’s been great. I enjoy it. In two weeks the big day is coming up.

Do you have more workouts scheduled?
I’m going to the New York Knicks on Monday and the Golden State Warriors next Friday.

What did you learn from this workout?
We did a bunch of stuff with the ball – ball handling. The other three guys that were working out, I thought that they could do a good job because that’s what they do. I’m more like a low-block player. I don’t go out that much, but it’s good experience. We did a bunch of 2-on-2 pick and rolls, which every time you do, the more you learn around these people [coaches]. They played in the NBA, they know a lot more than we do.

What do you consider your strengths?
My strength is my strength. I like to play. I like to bang around. I like to use my body, push people around. I can provide a lot of physical play and toughness inside and rebounding.

Did you change your eating habits for this process?
You have to change that. You use your body to go to work, so you need to be in the best shape. You need to be healthy. You need to eat right. Of course when you’re on the road by yourself, sometimes you have to spend more money than you have to just to eat better. You can’t eat all of the sugars and trash food.

Is it difficult to make this transition from college?
I worked hard at school. I try to stay in shape. You need to work out by yourself to get better. It’s hard to do that and study. I had to take a bunch of credits to be able to graduate, since I’m from Brazil. I didn’t take that much credit so I needed to overload a bunch in high school and college to graduate. It was hard, but I got it done.

How has your family helped you in this process?
My family has been supporting me from Day One and they’re extremely happy. They’re really excited about Draft Day. They’re praying for me and hoping everything will be alright.

Where do you see yourself going in the draft?
Don’t ask me. I’m not the right person to ask that to. The only thing I can tell you is I hope to go anywhere and be drafted. It would be a gift from God and I’d be happy anywhere I go.

Who do you think will win the NBA Finals?
Big Shaq and the Heat. I’m a big Shaq fan. Yes, he’s my idol.

How does it compare to other workouts?
Actually this is my first one. I’m an underclassman. I had to pay for most of them so I had to do them accordingly. I’ve been through some workouts before and a lot of things I was new to and a lot of things I wasn’t. It was a good experience and helped me out a lot.

What are your strengths?
I’m a good shooter. I can work on my ball-handling some more, playing off the pick and roll. I’m feel like I’m a pretty good defender.

What inspired you to enter the draft?
I feel like I had a pretty good year. A lot of things are based on when you go because your high. A lot of people were calling in and asking a lot of questions so I thought I couldn’t lose anything if I put my name in the hat.

Has the process affected you?
It’s fun, but it can be stressful. I don’t have any regrets about it. I would do it all over again if I had to make the same decision.

Will you miss the college life if selected?
I’m a junior on the court, but I’ve been in college for four years. I had to sit out a year. It’s been a fun experience, but I’m ready to move on if the time comes.

How does the draft camp affect your eating habits?
It’ll change your diet because you want to be in shape – be in the best shape you can when you come to a workout. I feel like I’m in good shape, probably could have been better, but it was my first workout. I didn’t really know what to expect, but I felt like I did a good job at it.

When did you first pick up a basketball?
I’ve been playing basketball since about second grade. Baseball is my first love. Ever since the ninth or tenth grade, it’s [basketball] pretty much been my love.

Still play baseball?
No I don’t mess with it too much anymore.

Who is your favorite baseball team?
I’ve just been a [Atlanta] Braves fan since I was little, so that’s all I’ve known.

If you are selected, where do you see yourself going?
I’ve been told by some people second round to not drafted, but with an extra year left I would love to make myself a first round pick. Right now, I don’t know if I’d be a first round pick, but I definitely feel like I could fit on somebody’s team. I don’t want to waste any eligibility. If I have any left, I want to go back [to the draft next year] and use the rest of it.

What will you do if not selected?
If I’m not selected I would go back to school. I’m looking to make a decision within the next week or so. It’s a waiting game – you have to wait to see.

How do you feel about the draft camp process?
It’s an experience. It’s fun. It’s been a dream all of my life to play in the NBA ever since I played any sport I wanted to be a professional in it.

Who do you think will win the NBA Finals?
I don’t know. I’m thinking Dallas. I like the way they play. I think Avery Johnson is a real good coach. Nothing against Pat Riley, but I think Avery Johnson is up and coming. He really knows how to motivate his team and get them to do what he wants them to do.

Are you using these workouts more for experience than anything else?
I already feel like I have more experience than I could have wanted. I’ve been to six workouts, total. I was in Orlando for a week. Everything I’ve done has been as good of an experience as it could be. Great towns. Talking to coaches and a lot of great things come out of it. I know the deadline (is soon) (to withdraw), but I’m just having fun.

How has your battle with thyroid cancer changed you?
If you hear the word “cancer”, it’s pretty scary. That was the situation for me. Even though my type of cancer was probably the best you can have. It is cancer and I had to go through a surgical procedure and deal with some medicines. But all of that is better for me in the long run. The experiences and going through difficult times and learning. You learn a lot of stuff from that process and I would never change it. The only thing that made it difficult was that it came so close to this situation. I’m entering the draft pool, but I was fortunate enough to get in good enough shape to participate.

Your father fought cancer as well (Coby's father is George Karl, current head coach of the Denver Nuggets and former head coach of the Bucks). Did that make your fight any easier?
It helped. His was even scarier. He did the same thing I did. He didn’t tell many people about it. He didn’t tell my sister and I for a while. He just wanted to get all of the information in before he worried people about it. I’ve grown up around him so I’ve learned to deal with situations in tough times. With that situation, it was just gather all of the information, understand what’s going to happen and start preparing myself mentally for it. Fortunately, I’ve gotten through everything so far and my doctor says I shouldn’t have to deal with it again.

What are you hoping to improve upon in these workouts?
Any college player has to improve anything by twenty percent. If you think you’re a good shooter in college, you’re a mediocre shooter in the NBA … Just the talent level and the skills that guys on that level have are so extraordinary. I’m lucky to be around the guys enough, whether it’s with Seattle, Milwaukee or Denver (places where his dad has coached) and see what they work on every day and how much time they put into their game. From that standpoint, there’s a lot to work on for anyone, and that includes me.

Do you enjoy coming back to Milwaukee?
I come back every summer. I have great friends out here. I love coming back to the town. I love Milwaukee. I consider it my home. I spent my first three-and-a-half years of high school here. I’ve had great times here … I’m going to spend the weekend here and have a good time seeing friends and old acquaintances.

Have you ever thought about what it would be like to play for your father?
It would be interesting. It would be tough. I respect him a lot as a coach. That would be the toughest part, because he wouldn’t take any (stuff) from me and I would have to take everything he said, because he would be my boss. We have a great relationship as father and son. But it would be a little different to have your dad as your boss and not being able to talk back … But if I had an opportunity to play for him, I would definitely do it. It’s on the highest level of basketball and it would be a great time.

How do you feel about going through this process again?
Last year, I decided to go back to school. It’s a great opportunity to come to each of these workouts and try to make an impression with the different organizations. I’m just thankful to be here. I try to go out there and give a maximum effort every time. It’s basically a job interview except here – we get sweaty. We don’t wear suits and ties and sit in the office. It’s a pleasure to be at each organization and working out with different guys from different colleges because we’re all going for the same goals.

Are there any differences between last year and this year’s process for you?
Last year I only worked out with three teams, I did the pre-draft camp and I really had a choice whether to stay-in or go back to school. This time around I only have one decision and school’s done. I’m going to be a pro somewhere, so I have to get out and workout with more teams. This time around it really means a whole lot more.

What other teams have you done workouts with?
I did Phoenix, Lakers, Sacramento, Minnesota and New Jersey. Then I went to the camp and this is my first one since the camp.

Do you have more workouts scheduled?
I’m going to San Antonio on Sunday because I work out with them Monday and I’m going to get to Portland and Seattle. Then I’m probably going to go home and finish up with New York and Philadelphia since they’re so easy to get to, being from Philly. I should be done after that.

Are you getting anxious with Draft Day so close?
The days are dragging by. Last year, I had a big decision so it seemed like I didn’t have enough time to think. This time, since I know where I’m trying to be – not sure exactly what team I’ll end up with – but since I know I’m going to be around here somewhere, the days are just dragging by. I’m going to try to use these workouts to try to focus and take some of the time away.

What did you think about this workout?
This workout was good. It was a little tough coming off the camp and not working out. Once you come to another workout like this, it’s a little tough to get it going again, but these last two months guys have been preparing themselves. Everybody’s in shape and there were some good guys out here to compete against. The coaches were good and treated everybody with a lot of respect and really pushed us, so I had a good time. It was good to work out for this organization.

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