2015DD
News and Notes from Prospect Interviews
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.
All posts by Jeff HawkinsUpdated15 Oct 2021
Today, Basketball Insiders got the chance to chat with the top draft prospects who were invited to the green room for the 2015 NBA Draft. Here are some news and notes from our interviews:
– Devin Booker liked watching Rip Hamilton growing up. Now, he is drawing comparisons to Klay Thompson. Booker said he studies a lot of film of Thompson and sees similarities to him with the way the Golden State Warriors use him in screens. He praised Thompson’s strengths off the pick and roll and how he has developed into a two-way player.
– Jahlil Okafor met with and worked out for the Lakers twice. He said the organization has a reputation for its big men, which has resulted in championships. When it comes to Kobe Bryant, Okafor said, “He’s all about winning and he’ll do whatever it takes to win. That’s something I definitely admire.”
– Rondae Hollis-Jefferson expects to be drafted mid-first round. Landing in that area could mean going to a contending team, which he would welcome: “As far as going to a playoff team that’s ready to play and can throw me out there and it won’t be as big of a deal, I think that’s a good fit too. But for me, anywhere I go is a good fit because I work hard.”
– Growing up, Stanley Johnson wanted to play in every basketball game and camp possible. Now basketball is changing as it will become his job. As an example, he cannot participate in the upcoming Drew League. Johnson said he has quickly learned the NBA is a business and “everything has to be on time, on target.”
– Justise Winslow thinks he will be drafted in the top 10. “A lot of the organizations I’m going to, they had a rough year last year,” he said. “So for me to bring that winning mentality and winning presence to the locker room would be something that I could also bring on the court and be versatile and impact the game in a lot of different ways.”
