The Official Site of DJ Augustin

Fri, Jun 27th 2008, 19:30

DJ comments on the draft and joining the Bobcats

Bobcats No. 9 Pick D.J. Augustin

(On being drafted)
This has been my dream since being a little kid to get drafted into the NBA. Now that it’s here, I’m happy to be a Charlotte Bobcat. I’m very excited. I can’t wait to start working with Coach Brown and my teammates

(On what he thinks about Charlotte so far)
I love it. It’s a great city, a great place and a great organization. We just got a chance to meet all the staff. It was very touching to see everybody there supporting us and there to welcome us. It was great.

(On why he didn’t work out the Bobcats)
My agent just didn’t set up any workouts with Charlotte. It worked out well and I’m here and I’m happy to be here. I’m just very excited and I can’t wait to start learning from Coach Brown and everybody on the staff. I don’t why (I didn’t work out here). He just set up workouts for me and I just went in and tried to stay focused and did what I had to do to get picked by a team. Hopefully I can learn from Raymond (Felton) and everyone on the team.

(On if he will provide competition for Raymond Felton)
I think all three of us will be in there competing everyday. It’s a job now and we’re going to do our best to do great things and help the team win. There is going to be competition everyday. I just want to learn as much as I can from him (Raymond Felton). He’s a great player and a great point guard and he’s been here for a long time. I’m just trying to learn.

(On if has heard Coach Brown is tough on point guards)
I have. I’m used to tough coaches. Coach Barnes was a pretty tough coach on me. The point guard position is very important, especially on this level. You have to be able to handle a lot of things. I know he (Coach Brown) is just trying to get the best out of his players.

(On his experience with Hurricane Katrina, relocating to Houston and attending the University of Texas)
Katrina was a tough situation for my family and I. We stuck together and we made it through. We had to evacuate to Houston and start a new life. I chose to go to the University of Texas, not because of the Hurricane, but because it was the best situation for me. We just stayed strong. I think it matured me as a man and it made my family close. It (our house) was destroyed. You have to move on. We left the day before it hit. We went to Houston. It was far enough, but not too far, to get away. We left the night before and we weren’t able to go back. For me, it was about three months (before I was able to go back).

(On how special it is to have his mom and dad with him through this process)
It’s been very special. My mom and dad are very proud of me. My whole family has been through this whole process with me. We got a lot closer and I don’t think you can get any closer than what we are. My family means everything to me, so it’s special to have them here through this whole process.

(On if being in the NBA has sunk in yet)
It hasn’t hit me yet. Hopefully when I get some more sleep.

(On how ready he feels to be able to contribute right away)
I think I have a lot to work on in every aspect of my game. I want to learn as much as possible from Coach Brown and Raymond (Felton) and all my teammates. I’ve prepared myself for this situation and I think I’m ready to contribute as much as possible, whatever the coach and the team needs for me to do to win. I’m a winner and that’s all that matters.

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