Draft 2003: Q and A with Nick Collison

Collison: “It went pretty well. It was tougher than some of the other ones I’ve been to. I’ve heard all throughout the circuit that Miami is boot camp, but it wasn’t boot camp. It was one of the tougher ones, but it wasn’t too bad…We did more defensive work than anywhere else, more sliding your feet and defending the post. It was more like a college practice, more teaching than other places. You could see why they’ve got a good staff and Coach Riley is a good coach because they really spent a lot of time teaching.”

What do you think you bring to the table for teams that are looking at you?

Collison: “I think I am a guy that can do a lot of things – I have versatility, I can play inside, I am willing to play more in the perimeter, I am a very good rebounder. I just know how to play the game, know how to win.”

How much did your NCAA Tournament run help people get to see your game?

Collison: “I think it helped. I played for four years – I think the NBA teams, their scouts, they’ve all seen me a lot, so they didn’t necessarily need to see me more…But, I did have a very good senior year, and I think that did help.”

What are some things you think you have to work on?

Collison: “I have to become stronger, I have to become more consistent with my outside shot because I think that would be a weapon – if I could really be a guy they have to run out to, I could do more things off the dribble…Strength is something, you know power forwards in the NBA are monsters, so I have to get a lot stronger.”