Larry Nance, Jr. spoke with the Los Angeles media via phone after being selected by the Lakers with the 27th overall pick of the 2015 NBA Draft. Below is a transcription of Nance’s reaction:
Q: On being drafted by the Lakers:
Nance: It’s an unbelievable feeling; almost indescribable. The franchise has been incredible: great history. It speaks for itself. The Los Angeles Lakers. It hasn’t set in that I’m a Laker yet.
Q: On whether he felt like he impressed the Lakers with his workout:
Nance: I thought I played well, but at the same time you never know. I really found out as my name was being called. It was an incredible experience and awesome surprise.
Q: On whether he was surprised to be a first-round pick:
Nance: I knew I had done my best. If I got picked in the first round, second round, lottery, never picked — it wouldn’t have mattered to me. I never paid attention to mock drafts. As long as I got my chance to be in the NBA, I’m gonna cherish it and relish it for sure.
Q: On how he plans to stand out among the other forwards on the roster:
Nance: I’m an energy guy. I play with an incredibly high motor. I never take a play off. Every loose ball, I’m on it. Every offensive rebound, I’m chasing it. I really hope to just earn my niche by playing with that energy and athleticism.
Q: On how much he takes away from his father, Larry Sr., a former NBA player:
Nance: I take a whole lot from him. He’s my biggest fan (and) my biggest critic. I love the way he played above the rim and all of his aerial acrobatics. But at the same time, he kind of gave me his mind for the game. Basketball IQ is the one thing that I learned from him and will continue to learn from him.
Q: On his dad’s reaction to him being drafted:
Nance: There were tears in his eyes. He was pretty ecstatic.
Q: On his recovery from a torn ACL in 2014 and battle with Crohn’s Disease:
Nance: I’ve faced a lot of adversity in my life, and I think it’s made me stronger. My silver lining to my ACL was I lost basketball for a little while. Not having it in my life just really made me appreciate what it does for me and how much I do appreciate the game. And then with Crohn’s, getting drafted wasn’t just a victory for me and my family. The entire Crohn’s and Colitis community — it’s big for them, too, because (former NFL quarterback) David Garrard was the only professional athlete to play with Crohn’s before this next series of athletes came. I’m just ecstatic to be a part of that.