Interview: Draft Prospect George Hill

According to CBS Sports, the Lakers are close to getting a second-rounder from Seattle and want IUPUI guard George Hill.

Following is an interview with draft prospect George Hill:

>> Click here to listen to the audio interview

Q: How many places have you worked out prior to this?
GH: I had Boston first, then I had the Lakers second, then I went to see Sacramento, and then Seattle, then I came back here.

Q: And when you get to go against these other guys how do you feel about your performance or how do you feel that you show you stack up to them?
GH: I’m feeling really confident, that’s what I really wanted to focus on, just staying confident, staying poised, and being humble, and I think my game is going to speak for itself.

Q: Does it help you knowing when you look around the NBA there are so many guys from smaller schools?
GH: Yeah, that gives me a lot of confidence like they all said since I was a freshman it doesn’t matter where you go, it’s how you play. I know if just play my game then I’m going to get somewhere.

Q: What kind of feedback have you gotten from teams?
GH: I’ve gotten great feedback, it’s been so much, that I just can’t (express it). It’s all in my head, but it’s been great feedback.

Q: How many more workouts are there?
GH: I have Houston, Minnesota, then I go to San Antonio, and then Dallas.

Q: How are you going to make this decision before Monday (the deadline for players that have not hired an agent to withdraw from the draft), or have you made a decision yet?
GH: No I haven’t made decision yet. I’m really going to base it on how I feel and when that time comes I think I’m going to sit down with my family and my coach and discuss that, and then I’m going to leave it to the Lord’s hands.

Q: Do you see that deadline coming and wondering what’s going to happen?
GH: You always wonder when you’re a kid you always dream about being in the NBA, so I think I just want to sit back and relax and stay calm and just see where I’m going to sit at.

Q: If you had to make a decision today, what would that decision be?
GH: I can’t make a decision like that … it’s still early. When I think the time comes I know you guys will know about it.

Q: When you think back to when you put your name into the draft, has everything, how has everything gone?
GH: It has gone tremendous. I didn’t really know what to expect when I first came in. You know, coming from a mid-major, people didn’t really know who I was but I think I turned a lot of heads and I think I had a great turnout.

Recently heard responses from the Clublakers forum:

“Mitch Kupchak has earned my trust. If he sees a player that he thinks is worth moving up to get, then he moves up to get him then I am very excited. This player George Hill had to have shown something good.” - pureuncut100

“…as much as we have hated on Mitch, he hasn’t drafted a crappy player in a while. You look at Sasha, Bynum, Ronny, Critt, all these guys can play and were still playing when much higher draft picks were at home. So I think I can safely say now that Mitch knows what he’s doing.” - Weezy

“If we move up, I don’t really want a guard, even though I’d be fine with it. I want a backup center who is athletic, strong, and defensive minded. Joey Dorsey seems like a good choice, hopefully he would get his act together. A guy like DeVon Hardin seems sweet too, even if he’s not as big as I’d like a PF/C to be.” - chug o nomics

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