Suns.com caught up with Strawberry after a solid 19-point performance alongside fellow Summer Suns rookie Alando Tucker against the Philadelphia 76ers in Las Vegas.

Suns.com: You're having some solid performances here in Vegas. Marcus Banks had a record-setting night the other night, but with him out as of late, it was the two rookies who’ve paced this team.

D.J. Strawberry: Yeah, we knew he was going to be out, so we knew we would have to play even better. So, we just tried to come out and play our game and get a win for the team.

Suns.com: You had a nice opening game the other night, including a dunk that brought the house down, but did you have any first-game jitters?

Strawberry: Just a little bit. Now I’ve got the first one out of the way, and I felt more confident today. I just went out and played and had fun. The first summer league game I kind of got a little nervous, a little antsy. But, now it's just time to play basketball and do it how I've been doing my whole life.

Suns.com: Speaking of being nervous and antsy, you must have felt a little bit the same way waiting for your name to be called on draft night. How good did it feel to know it was the Suns that tabbed you?

Strawberry: Oh, man, it felt great! The Phoenix Suns, they're a great organization. When I came to work out for them, everybody was so nice, and I just felt comfortable here. I was so glad when the Suns called me and picked me. It was just an unbelievable experience for me right there in those minutes.

Suns.com: What will you bring to the table for the Suns?

Strawberry: My defensive efforts, and I can play most of the positions defensively and offensively. I feel I'm getting better offensively. My offensive game is starting to come along. It's going to take a lot of work and a lot of time in the gym, but I feel I can bring a lot to this team.

Suns.com: Joakim Noah said he had a hard time stepping out of his famous dad's shadow. How about you with your dad, former baseball player Darryl Strawberry?

Strawberry: It was pretty easy for me because I just chose another sport, just like Noah did. It wasn't that hard because everyone knew he was my dad, but it was all about me on the basketball court. I just tried to distance myself. That's why I let everybody call me D.J. now. I've tried to distance myself as far as I can from my dad so that I can be my own person.

I’m just going to continue to play my game and play hard every time I step on the court. I have to go out and show them what I can do and show them that I'm worthy of a spot.