Pre-Draft Workout Interview: Jose Juan Berea

Height: 5'10"
Weight: 175 School: Northeastern
Position: PG

Celtics.com: Anyone who follows basketball in Boston obviously knows about your success on Huntington Avenue. Tell me about your Northeastern experience.

Berea: "Well, I came from hot weather and got up here and it was really cold. But I am going to miss it. It was the best four years of my life. Boston's a great city and I'd love to be here with the Celtics organization."

Celtics.com: Playing in a mid-major conference, you don't get that much exposure compared to guys like Williams playing at UConn. Are you at a disadvantage because of that?

Berea: "I just come out and try to do my best, play my game. Im just trying to make somebody like my game and give me a chance."

Celtics.com: I'd imagine you have to do more workouts then too?

Berea: "Yeah, I think this is my sixth, and I've got like three more before Orlando, and then a few more with whatever comes up after that. We'll see if anybody else wants to take a look and give me a chance after that."

Celtics.com: Who else have you worked out for?

Berea: "I worked out for Sacramento, the Lakers and Golden State, then Toronto, Minnesota, and then here."

Celtics.com: What was the feedback from those workouts? Anything stand out that you need to work on?

Berea: "I think I did pretty well with the ball in my hands. I think I got to work on my off-the-ball skills, making somebody pass it to me. If I can be a little more consistent with my shot I think I'll be alright."

Celtics.com: What about your height? Has that been an issue for you? You're probably not looked at as having NBA size.

Berea: "That's always been an issue, but the last couple of years have been the best for little guys to make it to the league with Steve Nash being the MVP, and Earl Boykins playing well, so these are the years for the little guys."

Celtics.com: Is it tough matching up against bigger guards?

Berea: "Sometimes I like it because they're not as quick as me. They are a little stronger and a little heavier."

Celtics.com: What about the idea of playing for Boston under all of these banners?

Berea: "When my agent told me, 'you're going to Boston', I was so excited to come back and visit old friends. I'd love to be here."

- Compiled by Peter Stringer on May 25, 2006