One-on-One with Jerome Beasley

Posted: May 27, 2003

North Dakota’s Jerome Beasley, last season’s Division II Player of the Year and a two-time North Central Conference MVP, participated in a pre-draft workout for the Suns Tuesday morning at America West Arena. Beasley raised eyebrows and his stock in the June 26 draft by being named MVP of the 2003 Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, an annual showcase of talent for many of the country's top seniors to NBA scouts and general managers.

Following the extensive workout, Beasley spoke with Suns.com about his hectic workout schedule and how he sees himself fitting into the NBA.

Question: How has the workout structure worked for you so far in trying to showcase your talent to some of the top evaluators in the league?

Jerome Beasley: I’m not really trying to showcase. I’m just trying to show that I can play and that I can play with the big boys, and I can compete. I just try to do well every time I go out there and just give my all, and play hard.

Question: What do you bring to the table that separates you from the others?

Beasley: Energy, excitement if I can, and just a person that works hard.

Question: How do you think you did in today's workout?

Beasley: I believe I did well. I could have shot the ball a little better. There were a couple of post moves I missed on. I believe I could have done a lot better but at the same time I believe I did okay.

Question: What was your experience playing for North Dakota like?

Beasley: I had a great time there and I wouldn’t take anything back. It’s a great program as far Division II basketball. It was exciting and I had a great season there.

Question: What do you think teams are looking for when they bring you in?

Beasley: If I had to guess, somebody that can run the floor and just bring energy and play hard, somebody like that. Maybe hit a couple of jump shots and just try to be a presence on the floor?

Question: What do think of the competition you faced in today’s workouts?

Beasley: Great players. I respect them and I’m sure they respect me. I hope they do well.

Question: Did your success at Portsmouth change your perspective of what might happen this summer?

Beasley: No, not really. My coaches, my agent told me to just go out there and play well and do what you can do. Don’t try and step outside your game. Once you try to step outside your game, that’s when you start to go downhill. I’ve been just staying within myself and I’ve been doing well so far.

Question: Have you had your people tell you what to expect on Draft Day at this point?

Beasley: To be honest, I haven’t been asking anybody and I really don’t want to know. I just want to keep playing and we’ll see where it goes from here and just hope my name gets called.

Question: How do you compare your skills with Zarko Cabarkapa, who you worked out against today?

Beasley: He’s already been playing pro (in Yugoslavia), so of course he had that environment, that atmosphere above me and playing in front of thousands of people. I’m playing in front of hundreds of people. At the same time, I do believe and feel that I can play on the next level. I’m sure he can and I believe I can play.

Question: Do you see yourself more as a power or small forward?

Beasley: A combination. When people ask me that, I say a combination, someone like a Dirk Nowitzki. If you’re smaller, I take it to the block, if you’re a big man I feel I can take you outside on the perimeter. So it’s a combination of three-four.

Question: You went to the same school as Phil Jackson. Have you heard from him or are there any other NBA players that you’ve gotten to talk to?

Beasley: I haven’t had a chance to talk to Phil, but I have had a chance to talk to Quentin Richardson, Darius Mile and Corey Maggette and just tell them how it’s going. (The NBA is) a great atmosphere, play hard and nothing comes easy. You have to always strive to get there and you have to always work, work, work. Once you stop working, that’s when you’re beat.

Question: What is your schedule like these next few weeks?

Beasley: I’ve got a real big schedule. I’ve got a lot of teams that have said they’re interested in me. They just want to bring me in and see what I can do. I’m looking forward to it. My body’s holding up real good. I’m excited and I’m ready.

Question: Do you feel that you can fit in right away and get some playing time on the NBA level?

Beasley: Yes. I believe I can. I’m not going to come right in and start and get 20 minutes, but give me a year or two, maybe less, and I could be starting. I just want to get my foot in the door and once I get my foot in the door, I’ll just take it on from there.

Question: You are a very vocal guy out on the court. Where did that come from?

Beasley: From school. I’ve always been a leader. If I’m doing good and I’m vocal, people thrive off of that and go off that. At the same time, you don’t want to set your man up with nothing where he gets knocked out, so you try to help him as much as you can. I picked that up before, plus I’ve been in situations before where no one said anything to me and I got hurt. I just try to be vocal and talkative and just try to keep a smile on my face at all times to let people know I’m enjoying the game and playing.

Question: What about when the vocalizing becomes trash talking?

Beasley: I do a little bit just to show I’m there, to let them feel me (laughs). Nothing major, just a little bit like, “You better get up on me.” Something simple, nothing vulgar, just to let you know I’m there.