20 Questions With Your Boy — Salim Stoudamire

On May 31, the Nuggets worked out Ike Diogu of Arizona State, Dwayne Jones of St. Joseph’s, David Lee of Florida, Aaron Miles and Wayne Simien of Kansas, Salim Stoudamire of Arizona and Ronny Turiaf of Gonzaga. Diogu is a 6-foot-8 forward who averaged 22.6 ppg and 9.8 rpg as a junior in 2004-05. Jones is a 6-foot-11 center who averaged 10.1 ppg, 11.6 rpg and 3.0 bpg in his junior season at St. Joe’s. Lee is a 6-foot-9 forward who averaged 13.6 ppg and 9.0 rpg as a senior last season. Miles is a 6-foot-1 guard who averaged 9.3 ppg and 7.2 apg as a senior at Kansas. Simien is a 6-foot-9 forward who averaged 20.3 ppg and 11.0 rpg as a senior with the Jayhawks. Stoudamire is a 6-foot-1 guard who averaged 18.4 ppg in his senior season at Arizona. Finally, Turiaf is a 6-foot-10 forward who averaged 15.9 ppg and 9.5 rpg as a senior with the Zags.

Salim Stoudamire

1. Q: How did your workout go today?

A: It went really well, one of my best ones.

2. Q: What was the best part of your workout today?

A: Umm, everything. It’s just fun being out here and competing with guys that are competitive. We leave it all out on the court, and it's fun.

3. Q: What do you look to prove to each organization that you workout for, and how do you prepare yourself?

A: I’m not trying to prove anything. I’m just trying to let people see me up close in person, and outside of the Arizona system.

4. Q: What is your game’s biggest strength?

A: Putting the ball in the hole.

5. Q: What is your biggest weakness?

A: Umm … I don’t know.

6. Q: I’ve heard that (Arizona Head Coach) Lute Olson claims that you are the best shooter he’s ever coached. How does that feel coming from a guy that has coached so many great guards at Arizona?

A: It feels good coming from his mouth because he’s a Hall of Famer. He’s been around this game for a long time and he’s seen a lot of great players. So for him to say something like that, it definitely boosts my confidence.

7. Q: Have you spoken with you cousin (Portland Trail Blazers guard) Damon Stoudamire at all about getting ready for the NBA? If so, what kinds of tips has he given you?

A: I’m actually living with him right now. We reside in Houston, which is where we workout. He’s always giving me tips too. It just depends on the situation or the circumstance.

8. Q: Looking back on your college career, what was the best game that you played?

A: Oklahoma State in this year’s tournament.

9. Q: What are you looking forward to the most about being in the NBA?

A: Being able to have a little bit more freedom, as far as being able to display more things of my game. It seems a lot more loose.

10. Q: What is your biggest fear about it?

A: Nothing at all. I have been waiting for this my whole life.

11. Q: Do you have a favorite player or role model that you looked up to the most growing up?

A: My cousin Damon. I just watched him growing up and wanted to be just like him.

12. Q: When did you start playing basketball?

A: I don’t know, but I have been told that I made my first shot when I was three.

13. Q: What do you think your biggest challenge is going to be at the next level?

A: Being consistent.

14. Q: What will be the first thing that you buy if you get drafted into the NBA?

A: Something for my mother.

15. Q: What was your favorite subject in school?

A: My favorite subject was African American studies.

16. Q: Who is the biggest influence in your life?

A: My mother.

17. Q: Who is your favorite musical artist?

A: Bob Marley.

18. Q: What is your favorite movie?

A: I’ve got to go with “The Mack.”

19. Q: Did you follow the Nuggets at all this past season?

A: Yes I did. It was a lot of run-and-gun and open court play, which is just like what we did at Arizona.

20. Q: Finally, how do you think you’d fit in with this team and what do you feel you could add to the roster?

A: I think I’d fit in great here. I have the ability to knock down shots without demanding too much attention.