Nothing is more exciting for a young hoops player than to be selected in the NBA Draft.

ESPN.com and NBA.com chronicled one of the greatest nights in the lives of these talented young men, chatting with them moments after they were chosen in the 2006 NBA Draft.

Read the chat transcript for the No. 30 pick of the draft and new Portland Trail Blazer, Joel Freeland and see how Freeland reacted.


SportsNation Buzzmaster: (10:57 PM ET ) We're now joined by Joel Freeland!

Derek: How will you adjust coming over from England to the US?

SportsNation Joel Freeland: (11:00 PM ET ) I played in Spain, Grand Canary Island. I feel I'm not yet NBA ready but I'm willing to work as hard as I can to be able to reach my goal, which is finally playing in the NBA.

Jason: Do you feel you are at a disadvantage to NCAA players as you've only had one year of competitive experience?

SportsNation Joel Freeland: (11:01 PM ET ) I don't feel that at all. My great upside is that I have a great competitive edge. I think I can equal or do better than most college players in that area.

Steve (Boston): How do you prepare mentally for playing in the NBA?

SportsNation Joel Freeland: (11:03 PM ET ) It will come with time. I have a year or two to prove myself and that will come along with the rest of my progression.

stephen: What did David Stern say when you handed him the England jersey?

SportsNation Joel Freeland: (11:04 PM ET ) He asked me where I had played in previous years. He didn't take much notice of the jersey!