Interviews with Eddie Griffin, Gerald Wallace

[Hironaka <j.hironaka@unesco.org>]

    I found by accident on UNCbasketball.com some interviews of Eddie
Griffin, Gerald Wallace and DeShawn Stevenson dating from the week of
last year's McDonald's game. It is fairly amazing how "professional"
these kids have to be from such an early age in analyzing their job
skills. FWIW, Eddie Griffin reportedly had a few problems with his
emotions at Seton Hall, but he sounds pretty reasonable and reliable
here. DeShawn Stevenson sounds cockier than the other two kids.

Joe

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Eddie Griffin:

uncbasketball.com: How well do you think you've performed at the camp?

EG: I think I'm doing all right -- getting a little fatigued. That's
something I'm going to have to work on.

uncbasketball.com: What besides conditioning do you think you need to
work on?

EG: I think I need a lot of work on that . . . by the time I go to
college, I think I'm still going to be playing the four, but by my later
years in college, I'm going to work on my handle to play the three.

uncbasketball.com: Any other aspects of your game need improvement in
order to play the three?

EG: I can't really handle the ball that well. I can't go straight to the
hole off the dribble and I just started lifting weights after the season
was over and it's starting to show a bit. I'm doing better on the block,
shooting turnaround jumpshots.

uncbasketball.com: Any NBA or college player you compare your game to?

EG: A lot of people say I play like Tim Duncan.

uncbasketball.com: Why do you think they compare you Duncan?

EG: Not showing that much emotion and I guess the way I play down on the
block.

uncbasketball.com: What are your plans for narrowing down your list?

EG: In August, I'll have it down to about five. I don't really have a
timeline for making my decision. When I know which place is right, I'll
decide.

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Gerald Wallace

uncbasketball.com: How do you think you've been playing so far?

GW: My first few games were pretty rough on my because I was having back
trouble. I injured my back a few weeks ago, but it's feeling better and
I'm beginning to get into a groove.

uncbasketball.com: What NBA or college players do you fashion your game
after?

GW: Vince Carter and Michael Jordan.

uncbasketball.com: What are the weaknesses in your game?

GW: My jumpshot. That's my real weakness.

uncbasketball.com: Strengths?

GW: Playing hard. I give 110% every time I'm on the floor.

uncbasketball.com: What schools are you looking at right now?

GW: I haven't even narrowed it down yet. Still wide open.

uncbasketball.com: Have you heard recently from North Carolina?

GW: Yes, they were just talking about the campus and they sent me a
program about the campus and the history of the school.

uncbasketball.com: What do you think about UNC?

GW: It's great. My two role models went there [Carter and Jamison].

uncbasketball.com: Have you qualified yet?

GW: I have a 2.9 and passed the ACT with a 20, so I'm qualified, and now
I just have to choose which college to go to.

uncbasketball.com: You said in May that you were considering going
straight to the NBA, but now you plan on going to college?

GW: Yeah.

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DeShawn Stevenson:

uncbasketball.com: How well do you think you've played so far?

DS: I'm playing well. Good offense, good defense, just trying to be
number one.

uncbasketball.com: Would you say that being number one is your goal?

DS: Yeah, that's my goal.

uncbasketball.com: What are the strengths and weaknesses in your game?

DS: I'm doing well on ball handling and taking it to the hole. My shot
needs work, but it's coming.

uncbasketball.com: Talk about what school's you're looking at right now?

DS: Right now I don't know.

uncbasketball.com: Has North Carolina contacted you?

DS: Not yet.

uncbasketball.com: Not at all?

DS: Not yet. Not at all.