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June 27, 2008
Augustin, Ajinca and Weaver Selected | Draft Central
On Friday, the Charlotte Bobcats three 2008 draft picks, Texas' D.J. Augustin, Hyeres-Toulon's Alexis Ajinca and Washington State's Kyle Weaver, were in town to meet the local media.
The Bob Cousy Award winner as the nation’s top point guard in 2007-08, Augustin earned consensus First Team All-American honors and First Team All-Big 12 honors as a sophomore. Augustin, who led the Big 12 in assists (5.8 per game) and ranked second in scoring (19.2 points per game), was also a finalist for the Naismith and Wooden Awards.
A 7-0 center, Ajinca averaged 5.0 points and 3.1 rebounds in 10.8 minutes per game in 24 games played for Hyeres-Toulon, while shooting .538 from the field and .825 from the free throw line.
Weaver played the last four seasons at Washington State University, where he became the first player in Pac-10 history to record 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 400 assists, 175 steals and 75 blocked shots in a career.
Below is a transcript of the press conference:
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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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Bobcats No. 20 Pick Alexis Ajinca
(On being drafted)
I’m so excited because this is really my first time in the United States. Now I’m playing in the NBA. I’m so excited because the Bobcats for me, are a good team. There isn’t a bad team in the NBA.
(On what he thinks about Charlotte so far)
It’s a nice city and a nice staff. I think we are going to make a good thing (here) with everybody.
(On how he impressed the Bobcats)
I had a good workout here. Rich Sheubrooks is a scout for the Bobcats and he saw me two years in a row in the Hoops Summit and here in a workout. That was my progression and they are looking to the future.
(On his contract with his European team)
This year, I put an NBA clause in my contract so it is better for me if I want to leave for the NBA. (I plan on being here) next season.
(On his first time coming to the United States)
It was my first time coming to the States when I came for workouts. I think in the first workout I was surprised because I wasn’t ready for the workout. I was in Miami and we ran a lot and we worked very hard. We don’t have the same thing in Europe or in France.
(On how he is enjoying the experience)
I’m enjoying it. I think I’m so excited because for a moment, I don’t know what has happened.
(On when he started playing basketball)
I started playing basketball when I was 11 or 12.
My idol is KG (Kevin Garnett). I want to be like him.
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Bobcats No. 38 Pick Kyle Weaver
(On being drafted)
I’m very thankful to be here. D.J. kind of touched on it too. You play basketball for so long and to have a chance to play in this league is a dream come true. All three of us, we’re just ready to get out there and play.
(On if he was surprised to be picked by the Bobcats)
I don’t know if surprised is the word. I was a little anxious and worked up all night, every pick, like I was going one or two (laughing). It was a roller coaster the whole night. Wherever it was, I didn’t care where I landed. I’m lucky to be here with great coaches, great staff and great personnel here. I’m ready to work.
(On about playing his last college game in this arena and now being selected by the Bobcats)
I thought about that. Four years in college ended here and I’m starting a new chapter here. Hopefully I can get that last bad loss out of here and start something fresh here. I never thought I would have a chance to be here. My coach Tony Bennett actually being here and playing here (Charlotte Hornets), it’s kind of ironic that I ended up being here now. It all just kind of worked out for me.
(On what he will bring ot the team)
(I will) try to handle the ball and take the pressure off Raymond and D.J. at times. I can play on the wing if need be. I can guard three positions. (I can) maybe even play some post going down low against smaller guards and just try to mix it up. Like D.J. said, whatever our team needs is what I’m going to do.
(On defense being one of his strengths)
That’s probably one of my strong suits, definitely being a defender. That’s probably my strength, being able to use my length and keeping guys in front of me. Playing at Washington State, if you didn’t play defense, you didn’t play.
dreamweav:
I'm very excited for your whole organization, and congratulations on getting one of the best coaches in the NBA. Kyle could not have been taken at a better time by the Bobcats. With a new program to install, Larry will need someone whom is able to do whatever he needs done. Kyle is a very versatile, disciplined and unselfish player, and like he said, "If you don't want to play defense at Washington St.- then you don't want to play." Larry is really going to love this guy's attitude, and Kyle's skills and confidence will naturally improve under Coaching Brown's coaching style - NO NONSENSE BASKETBALL. 2008 has been a great year for our family and quite ironic. One night before the game against NC during the NCAA tournament, I called Kyle - just to boost his confidence. I told him to rise up tonight, because Michael Jordan may likely be at the game. I reminded him that I volunteered for the Bulls during Michael's rookie and sophmore years in the NBA at pre-season camp at Beloit College, WI - so when he hears Beloit,WI and Weaver; he's definitely going to watch you and when 'Money' talks, the people will listen. GO BOBCATS!!! Family and NEW FAN
chase:
Kyle weaver is one of the best deffens of players in this league and he will do great things with the bocats and is a good dude and will be a very good person to have around a team i only meet him once but he was very cool and shook my hand he wasnt the kind of person to blow me off and want his space i wish i could of played basketball with him but i didnt want to hurt him and he wouldnt play in the NBA
Checkclack007:
D.J. Augustin good pick at #9 he'll help the Bobcats in alot of different things.Alexis Ajinca good pick at # 20 he got a 7'8 wing span that is incredible he'll be a good rebounder and shot blocker.Kyle Weaver good pick in the second round pick he'll a player he's a good rebounder for 6'6 he is also a good assist man that could find open players.So the Charlotte Bobcats had a great draft and good luck to the team GO BOBCATS
Sammy225:
I think we did a good job overall in the draft. However, I think we would have been better off drafting Brook Lopez with the 9th pick. Raymond Felton has shown that the best of him comes out when he's playing at the point. D.J. Augustine is also a great player at the point. However, whoever doesn't win that starting spot will be pretty hard upset with because both could very well be starters. Brook Lopez could have come in with an immediate impact at the center down with Emeka Okafor. Alexis Ajinca is probably a decent player later on in his career, but you cannot count on that for sure. Also, he probably won't make an immediate impact for the Bobcats.
richard:
charlotte is going to make some great moves this upcoming season... the bobcats have everything and they'll do great. plus they got that weaver fever now, and he'll lock down the defense in any position coach brown needs him in. go bobcats!
kristian:
kyle will be if givin the chance the best rookie in the nba and a great veatran nba player
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