The Official Site of DJ Augustin

Mon, Jun 2nd 2008, 16:06

DJ interviewed by Draft Express

Reporter: How did you know it was time to enter the draft?

D.J. Augustin: I just felt like I was ready mentally and physically. I had a great college experience, we won a lot of games and I think I developed into a pretty good point guard. I think I’m ready for the next level.

DraftExpress: What are you doing to prepare for the draft?

D.J. Augustin: I’m working out twice a day with Coach John Lucas in Houston; I have a trainer down in Houston also, so I’ve been lifting weights, and doing conditioning and skill work.

DraftExpress: What has been the biggest emphasis skill wise that you’ve been working on?

D.J. Augustin: Just being able to get bigger guards off of me, being able to play against the bigger guards. I have a lot of help with T.J. Ford down in Houston teaching me tricks. I’m just trying to learn as much as possible.

DraftExpress: A lot of people talk about your size; do you think that’s going to hold you back either offensively or defensively in the pros?

D.J. Augustin: No; I don’t think it’s really held me back my entire life. I’ve always been the smallest one on the floor; I have no problem going in with the big men and doing what I can do. Getting my teammates involved, that’s always been my goal.

DraftExpress: Is there any player in the NBA that you try to model yourself after?

D.J. Augustin: Offensively I try to play like Steve Nash; he has a lot of crafty shots he gets off against bigger guys. That’s going to be my main thing; I have to learn to do that.

DraftExpress: You went to Steve Nash’s camp over the summer. Is there anything you added there specifically that you feel helped you?

D.J. Augustin: Just learning how to run the pick and roll; executing that to perfection. That’s the biggest thing in the NBA, a lot of teams run pick and roll the whole game. That’s going to be a big key.

DraftExpress: Do you feel there is any type of offensive system in the NBA you’re more suited for? Maybe pick and roll, half court, or transition?

D.J. Augustin: At Texas we really played everything. We ran in transition; we brought it to the half court and ran pick and roll. So I feel like I’m ready for any offense, and I’m just going to keep learning.

Reporter: What workouts have you scheduled?

D.J. Augustin: I haven’t talked to my agent yet; we’re going to do that today, about who I’m working out with and when. I think my first workout is Wednesday, but I’m not sure with whom yet.

Reporter: Who is your agent?

D.J. Augustin: Thaddeus Foucher

DraftExpress: You hired your agent kind of late in the process; what went into that decision? Why did it take so long?

D.J. Augustin: I just like to take my time with every decision I make, I don’t like to rush things. I sat down with my family, we picked the guy I felt the most comfortable with, and that’s how it went. I took my time and went who I felt comfortable with; I think it was a good decision.

DraftExpress: Have you heard anything about your draft range?

D.J. Augustin: So people have me going six through fourteen, but I don’t listen to that stuff. Anything can happen on draft night, so you have to be prepared for anything and work hard.

DraftExpress: Some rumors have mentioned the Clippers and Indiana as possible destinations; do you have any feelings about those teams or cities?

D.J. Augustin: They’re both great cities and great teams. I just want to go to the best team that I can help in whatever role they need me in.

DraftExpress: Have you talked to Kevin Durant at all about the process?

D.J. Augustin: Yeah; I’ve talked to Kevin, I’ve talked to T.J. (Ford). I talk to T.J. a little more because he was in the same position I’m in as a point guard. But I talk to both of those guys about the situation.

DraftExpress: With Kevin leaving early for the NBA, how did you adjust to that at Texas?

D.J. Augustin: I just had to be more of a scorer. Coach wanted me to score more, but it’s hard to do because like I said I’m always looking for my teammates. I’m an unselfish guy on the court and I had to become more of a leader. That’s what I did, and that’s how I changed my game this year.

DraftExpress: What type of role do you see yourself playing in the NBA five years from now?

D.J. Augustin: Hopefully I’ll be a great point guard; a leader on the floor on a team that’s winning. Those are my main goals: help a team win and be the best player that I can be.

Reporter: For you talked to A.J. [Abrams] at all?

D.J. Augustin: No, not really.

Reporter: What’s his status right now? I know he’s not down here playing.

D.J. Augustin: I have no idea, I haven’t talked to him.

Reporter: D.J. how difficult was your decision last year to go back to school?

D.J. Augustin: It wasn’t that difficult at all because I knew I wasn’t ready for the NBA physically or mentally. I never really looked at leaving for the NBA. This year I just worked hard, it’s been my dream to play in the NBA, and this year I feel like I’m ready.

Reporter: Do you see better decisions being made by kids in terms of knowing when they’re ready? In past years you’ve seen kids leave early and then never really surface.

D.J. Augustin: You know that can really happen to anyone, there are no guarantees in this league. That’s one thing I want to do when I make it to the NBA; I don’t just want to make it, I want to have a long, successful career.