Andre Iguodala Jennifer Pottheiser NBAE/Getty Images

Full Name: Andre Tyler Iguodala
Position: Forward
Height/Weight: 6-6 / 207
Birthdate: January 28, 1984 (Springfield, Ill.)
High School: Lanphier HS (Springfield, Ill.)
College: Arizona

How do you say your name?
e-gu-doll-a.

Do you have a nick name?
No.

There were three Smith’s in the draft and one Iguodala, not your typical name. What’s the origin?
It’s Nigerian.

Talk about growing up in Springfield, Ill.
It’s a small town, 100,000. A lot of basketball growing up. A whole lot of basketball. A lot of kids played. I played it every single day. I think I was always good, and I got a lot of exposure playing up in Chicago too.

And how did you go from the Midwest to the Southwest?
Actually, I was committed to Arkansas and then with Nolan Richardson in the situation where he got fired, I got out of my national letter of intent. Coach O (Lute Olson) always recruited me through the whole process. I knew he was good at bringing players in and developing them into good NBA players, so that’s why I decided to go there.

Your mom Linda Shanklin and your step-dad Leonard Shanklin were here. Any brothers or sisters?
An older brother Frank. He played at Dayton this past season on a basketball scholarship and he’s now graduated.

What’s your favorite college basketball memory?
Going to the Elite Eight my freshman year and getting deep into the NCAA tournament. That was a lot of fun.

What made you decide to come out early?
Just because I was hot at the time and my stock was real high. It was a good opportunity for me to come out.

How would you describe yourself as a player?
A great energy guy. Up and down and very versatile.

How do you see yourself fitting into the 76ers and what do you think your role will be?
Playing any of the guard positions, wherever Coach puts me and just working hard and trying to make the team better.

What do you like to do in your time down? Favorite activities?
I like to golf, a little bit. I’m horrible though, but I like to play. PlayStation, read. I do a lot of different things.

What was the last movie you saw?
Kill Bill Vol. 2

What was the last book you read?
I’m reading a fiction book Left Behind. But the last one was called Soul Harvest.

Do you have a favorite book?
For the Love of the Game, Michael Jordan.

Do you have a favorite food you like to eat?
I like seafood: shrimp and lobster. I also like broccoli.

Favorite restaurant you like to visit?
McCormack and Schmidts. I’ve only been there once. I also like the Cheesecake Factory because they serve a lot of food.

Were you surprised you were there for the 76ers?
No.

What was the first thought that ran through your mind when you heard David Stern call your name?
First thing I thought was don’t trip walking up the stairs. I was thinking about that the whole time.

How did you pick out your suit?
Rob (Pelinka, his agent) helped and my mom helped pick out a suit in Los Angeles at a place called LAV. We all decided on it though.

How many ties did you have to go through?
Actually, it was quick we went through one.

What did you do after the draft?
I went out to eat with Coach O (Olson), family and friends. I went out a little bit in New York City walking around the town.

What are you looking forward to the most in the NBA?
Just being able to play with and against some of the best players in the world.