Draft 2003: Q and A with Sofoklis Schortsanitis

What do you think about this whole process?

Schortsanitis: “It gets you tired. But, I mean, if someone wants to go to the next level, they must keep going.”

How do the players here compare with the ones in Greece?

Schortsanitis: “A lot faster, more physical…It’s not like you can overpower everyone here…It’s not like Greece, it’s a lot better.”

Do you like being referred to as “Baby Shaq?”

Schortsanitis: “I mean, it’s okay…He’s from another planet, no one wants to go against Shaq…I would like to have a nickname that’s my own unique nickname, one for my own style. I don’t want to be compared to anyone else. I want to be me.”

What do you have to do to play in the NBA…You’re 17-years-old, you’re going to be playing against men…

Schortsanitis: “I have to work, work harder… On any team that I’m going to end up, I know that the coach is going to help me…I have to improve myself in every department, physically and mentally…I must not neglect any department.”

What brought you to this sport?

Schortsanitis: “I want to be like Mike.”