Hornets Draft Workouts: Day 4
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
By: Jim Eichenhofer, Hornets.com
Interviews with several of the participants during Tuesday's draft workouts at the Alario Center:PATRICK MILLS, St. Marys (Calif.)Q: What parts of your game are you working on as you move into the NBA?A: A lot of people talk about me being a scoring point guard at St. Marys, but needing to transition that into the NBA, into being more of a facilitator. Thats something Im familiar with, from being part of the Australian national team.Q: What would it be like to play for New Orleans and to be Chris Pauls backup?A: I have definitely watched a lot of tape of Chris Paul and played against him as well (in the 2008 Olympics). Hes someone who Ive tried to learn from and pick up a few things from. If I get the chance to be in this organization, this is definitely a team I would love to play for. Their style of play is great and really fits into my game. I feel like I can fit into this team quite well. Playing with Chris would no question help me in my development as a player at an elite level.Q: There arent too many guys in the NBA from Australia or New Zealand, but one of them is Sean Marks, who played for the Hornets last season. How well do you know Sean?A: Not very well. I havent played against him before, but (like me) hes trying to represent that Oceania region. It would be pretty unique to be on the same team as him, because like you said, there aren't many NBA teams that have that.TERRY MARTIN, LSUQ: How did the workout go?A: I think I did pretty well. A lot of running. I just went out there and tried to do my best and I think I did pretty well.Q: Being a local guy and getting to try out for the Hornets, how did you feel?A: It felt good. I grew up watching the Hornets, coming here was good. I played in this gym (Alario Center) as a little kid in summer league.Q: Hows your offseason been?A: I have been in Houston the past month training with John Lucas, he is a good trainer.Q: What things do you need to improve on your game?A: Being consistent, going out and playing hard the whole game and not holding back.TAJ GIBSON, USCQ: Thoughts on Hornets?A: The Hornets are a great organization. I got a chance to meet these guys through Coach (Tim) Floyd the last three years. Getting to know them, getting a good solid base with them. The Hornets have come down to USC and worked out in our gym. Coach Scott and Jeff Bower are great, talking to them the past couple weeks at draft camps. Its been wonderful and I am just hoping if I get a chance to come here I will do what I do best: rebound, block shots, bring energy and learn from great players and the coaching staff.Q: Any NBA players past or present that your game is similar to?A: Coach Floyd said I am similar to former Hornet PJ Brown, except that I am way more athletic and longer. I like to bring the same physicality he plays with and we are both tough-minded and love to play the game.SHAUN DUMAS, Xavier (La.)Q: What was it like to have the opportunity to work out for the NBA team in the same city where you played in college and where you were raised?A: Its a blessing that the Hornets would even give me the opportunity to work out with them. I just come out and compete as hard as I can. Pat Mills is a great ballplayer, but I know that Ive got to come at him, just like hes going to come at me. I have to compete. Thats one Ive been doing since I was young, and Im going to keep doing that.Q: What is your goal for next season? Playing overseas?A: First of all, I want to explore my options as an NBA player. If I have to go overseas, Ill do that. But my first and foremost goal is to be a player in the NBA, and be a good player in the NBA.Q: What are some of the things youre trying to show people to demonstrate that you belong in the NBA?A: Just be a playmaker. Anything I need to do for my team, whether its dive on the floor, play defense, score a bucket, assists. Anything and everything my team needs to do.Q: Did you get a chance to go to Hornets games last season?A: I went to a lot of games. If we didnt have a game the same night, I was there, watching Chris Paul. Hes one of my favorite players to watch, and I learned a lot from him.
Two Louisiana natives on Day 4 of draft workouts
The Hornets invited six more players to work out in front of the team's basketball operations staff today at the Alario Center. Here are the participants:Patrick Mills St.Mary's Guard/Forward 6-0, 175 Canberra, AustraliaWas a First Team-All-West Coast Conferencec selection. Started the first 20 games before breaking his hand against Gonzaga on Jan. 29. Missed the last nine games of the regular season with a broken right hand, and returned to action for the WCC Tournament. Averaged a team-high 18.4 points per contest and was second on the team 101 assists and 57 steals. Was a finalist for the Bob Cousy Award, which honors the nations top point guard. After returning from his injury, he averaged 17.3 points, 4.0 assists, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.7 steals, while shooting 37.6 (35-93) from the floor and 28.1 percent (16-57) from 3-point land. Played for the Australian basketball team in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. Was the only collegiate basketball player competing in the 2008 Olympic Games. Was the youngest player in the history of Australia to compete in the Olympic Games in basketball, in six games he averaged a team-best 14.2 points per game while coming off the bench in each game. Scored 20 points in the quarterfinals against the United States while recording three assists, two steals, and no turnovers in 28 minutes.Terry Martin LSU Forward 6-6, 210 Monroe, La.Four games in double figures, 35 for his LSU career. Best game of the season was against Grambling State (12/13) when he was 6-of-7 from the field and a perfect 4-of-4 from three-point range, scoring 16 points. Scored 11 in the double overtime win at Mississippi State (2/11). Started three games this season, 36 for his career. Averaged 4.6 points, 2.3 rebounds and 15.9 minutes of playing time per game. Hit 24-of-68 three-pointers, 119 for his career. Had a three and five points in the NCAA Tournament win over Butler (3/19). Averaged 24 points, 10 rebounds, 9 assists and 3 steals per game for Richwood High in Monroe. Richwood won the Class 3A State Championship in his final season there and he was named the MVP of the Louisiana Sports Writers Association All-State team in the class. High school coach was his father, Terry Martin, Sr. Monroe News Star Player of the Year. Nominee for Louisiana Mr. Basketball. Dad played at Louisiana-Monroe and was a draft pick of the Atlanta Hawks of the NBA in 1984 and played 10 years of pro ball overseas.Josh Heytvelt Gonzaga Forward 6-11, 260 Clarkston, Wash. Heytvelt's career at Gonzaga was partially derailed by foot and ankle injuries but the big man eventually returned to the Bulldogs and finally realized his potential as a senior. The Washington state native started all 34 games this season, averaging 14.9 points and 6.5 rebounds and shooting 54.4 percent from the field while leading Gonzaga to West Coast Conference regular-season and tournament titles. While he has impressive touch inside, Heytvelt also displayed good shooting ability from long range - especially for his size - hitting 40.4 percent of his 3-point attempts (23-of-57). Was part of four straight NCAA Tournament teams. Named First Team All-West Coast Conference as a senior. Became the 32nd player in program history to reach 1,000 points. Taj Gibson USC Forward 6-9, 225 Brooklyn, N.Y.An early entry candidate for the 2009 NBA Draft. USC's all-time leader in shots blocked with 253, also ranking third all-time in the Pac-10. Ranks second on USC's all-time rebounding list with 896 rebounds. Ranks 16th on USC's all-time scoring list with 1,307 points. Earned All-Conference Second Team honors as a junior, while also being named the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year. Earned All-Conference Third team honors and All-Defensive team First Team honors as a sophomore. Named to the Pac-10 All-Freshman team as a freshman. Ranked first in Pac-10 in blocks (100) and third in rebounds (316). Ranked first on his team in rebounds (9.0 rpg), blocks (2.9 bpg), field-goal percentage (.601), second on his team in scoring (14.3 ppg), and third in steals (1.0 spg). His season field-goal percentage was second all-time by a Trojan. Scored in double figures in 30 of 35 games and had eight or more rebounds 22 times. Finished season with 15 double-doublesDaJuan Summers Georgetown Forward 6-8, 240 Baltimore Md. He has declared his eligibility for the 2009 NBA Draft leaving Georgetown after his Junior season. Summers was the leading scorer for the Hoyas this season at 13.6 points per game. Summers scored 1,129 points during his Georgetown career but achieved his career high in points (24), rebounds (14) and assists (five) as a sophomore. He upped his 3-point accuracy from 34.3 percent to 38.5 this season, hitting three or more on six occasions. Ranks 29th all-time in scoring at Georgetown (1,129 points), seventh in three-pointers made (141) and eighth in three-pointers attempted (403). Helped lead the Hoyas to three straight postseason appearances (two NCAA Tournaments, one NIT). He was on the Big East All-Tournament Team (07), Gatorade Boys Basketball Maryland Player of the Year - high school (06).Shaun Dumas Xavier (New Orleans) Guard/Forward 5-11, 170 New Orleans, La. Third-team NAIA Division I All-American as a senior and sophomore and honorable mention as a junior. All-Gulf Coast Athletic Conference his final three seasons and GCAC Freshman of the Year in 2004-05. Louisiana Association of Basketball Coaches Small College Player of the Year in 2006-07. Xaviers career leader with 380 steals and ninth in career points with 1,434. Played in 129 games to tie XU career record. Averaged 11.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 2.9 steals as a collegian and had single-game highs of 30 points, 11 rebounds, 13 assists and nine steals.