Tencent Sports, June 20 - The NBA draft conference is about to open. In addition to Zion, the quasi champion, Morant from Murray State University is also one of the focuses of the outside world. He is very likely to become the top pick in the draft. The day before the draft, Morant received an exclusive interview with the media and answered questions of concern to the outside world. [Focus on draft trends]
Q: What would it be like to become a member of the New York Knicks?
Morant: To be honest, no matter which team I enter, it will be great. What I expect is to hear my name called.
Q: Besides what they saw on the video, how do you sell yourself?
Morant: It's mainly because they know me outside basketball. What kind of person I am.
Q: How did you tell them?
Morant: I am a sober and low-key guy. I like children and work in the community, which is the most important.
Q: What do you think of your chance to become a point guard in charge of the whole team?
Morant: I'm looking forward to it. Obviously, I'm a point guard. I want to be the brain of the team. I like to create opportunities for myself and my teammates.
Q: Grizzlies may choose you in the second place?
Morant: At 7:00 tomorrow morning, we will know, including you and me.
Q: Is it exciting to experience all this?
Morant: I'm very excited. Since I began to be noticed four years ago, I have kept asking myself: Is it good enough? Now I have a chance to be elected to the top position.
Q: What brought you to this point?
Morant: Countless hard training, believe in yourself, my family, coach, teammates. There are many people who can not be thanked, for which I am very grateful.
Q: You, Zion and Clarkston are likely to be elected in the first round. Does this mean much to South Carolina?
Morant: It really means something. I have played with these guys. They are very talented. We all like the atmosphere of South Carolina very much. Now we are the first round show together, which is meaningful for us and South Carolina.
Q: After Zion left, you and Clarkston were teammates. What would it be like if you three played together?
Morant: When I was teammate with them, the team seldom lost. If they both become my teammates, it is unimaginable.
Q: Do you think it is your responsibility to become a role model for players with less outstanding qualifications?
Morant: I don't want to say that. Of course, players like McCullem and Curry have opened a door for players like me, as well as Siakam and Van Fulit, who are also my role models. Of course, I hope I will become an example in the future, to influence some less talented people and let them enter the door.
Q: Do you agree that you are a confident person rather than an arrogant guy?
Morant: I am confident of myself, but I am also a humble person. I think self-confidence is very important. You don't believe in yourself. How can you expect others to believe in you?
Q: Can the team be formed around you?
Morant: I think I'm a good player, but I don't want to evaluate myself. No matter where I go, I hope I can use my talent to influence the team and make my teammates better.
Q: Do you think a player should enter the NBA directly from high school or go to college first?
Morant: This should be decided by the players themselves. But if you ask me, I will say that going to college has helped me a lot. I learned a lot when I was a freshman. By the time I was a sophomore, I could already adapt to high-level games.
Q: What are your memories of Zion when you were his teammate?
Morant: He is an excellent player. I am a year senior to him. He is a bit shy, but he can score 30 points on the court. It's interesting and exciting to be a teammate with him.
(Weiheng)