Posted: May 18, 2002

The influx of European players into the NBA will continue next season as a number of talented players from overseas are projected to be chosen in the draft on June 26. The Phoenix Suns got a sneak peek at one of those prospects during a private workout on Saturday morning.

Jiri Welsch of the Czech Republic joined four other players at America West Arena for a two-hour session in front of the Suns’ coaches and scouts. Afterwards, the 6-6 guard took a timeout to talk with Suns.com about the workout and the upcoming draft.

Suns.com: First of all, tell us how your workout went today.

Welsch: It was okay. It was pretty tough. We started with athletic drills and then we went to playing two-on-two. It was pretty tough, it was very intense, but good experience for me. I enjoyed it.

Suns.com: How do you think you did?

Welsch: I think I didn’t do bad, but I also don’t think I did my best, because I arrived yesterday to the States and I’m kind of going through jet lag right now. I need a couple more days to adjust. I think it was better yesterday when I was in Houston. I just hope I’m going to keep improving.

Suns.com: Do you have any other workouts scheduled?

Welsch: Yesterday I was in Houston, today I workout for the Suns and I’m going to stay here for three or four days, and a couple of other teams are going to come down here (to Phoenix) and I’m going to workout for them.

Suns.com: Tell us about your game. How would you describe the way you play?

Welsch: Oh, I consider myself very much a shooting guard, who can move a little bit to the point guard spot and who can play a little bit at also three (small forward). I think I have a decent shot and I can put the ball on the floor and penetrate as well, so I’m kind of player who can sort of handle all three perimeter spots.

Suns.com: You mentioned that you just flew in yesterday. Have you ever been in the States before?

Welsch: No. This is my first time in America.

Suns.com: What do you think so far?

Welsch: I’m definitely enjoying it. I love Phoenix, as far as what I’ve seen so far. So I like it over here.

Suns.com: What do you know about the Suns’ organization?

Welsch: I follow the NBA a lot. I also know some things about the players who are playing on the team. I love Stephon Marbury and Shawn Marion. They are incredible players. This is a really great team and it would be a great honor for me if I could join it.

Suns.com: Do you feel like you could fit in well with this team?

Welsch: I think I could contribute to this team.

Suns.com: You mentioned Stephon. Did you see him sitting up there in the stands watching your workout?

Welsch: No (big smile). You just told me that. I haven’t. It would be good (to meet him).

Suns.com: How excited are you right now? The draft is only a month away.

Welsch: I’m definitely excited. I mean, it’s every player’s dream. It always has been my dream since I picked up the ball to play in the NBA. Now it’s kind of becoming true, so I’m definitely excited that there’s only one month to go. I hope I can get as many workouts as I can and we’ll see on the 26th of June if I’m going to have some success.

Suns.com: Do you have any feel for where you might go in the draft?

Welsch: No. I would not like to talk about that (laughs).

Suns.com: Was there a player you patterned your game after?

Welsch: No. I see myself playing in the NBA maybe as a Brent Barry. I think he’s very much the same type of player as I am. But if you’re asking me about my favorite players, I definitely cheer for European players like Dirk Nowitzki and Peja Stojakovic. I am definitely a big fan of Pau Gasol. I played against him a couple of times when he was in Europe. So I’m a fan of those European players who have had great success in here.

Suns.com: It must be encouraging to see how well those players have done in the NBA.

Welsch: Definitely. I mean, in the past I have met them, I have played against them and those guys now they are having success in the NBA, so it kind of makes me positive that if they can do it, I can do it also.