Swingman Gordon Hayward is expected to be one of the top picks in the 2010 NBA Draft, which takes place Thursday night, June 24. Here's some of what Hayward said to the media the day before the big event:
Q: What does it mean to be here?
Gordon Hayward: It’s a dream come true. Watching the draft growing up and seeing guys put on the hat and shake the commissioner’s hand. For me to be right here is amazing. Everything’s really gone so fast since high school. It’s really been a whirlwind. I haven’t really had time to think. Went from hitting that shot (buzzer beater in Indiana High School State Championship) to going to Butler and trying to fit in there. Everyone thought we were going to be mediocre that first year, and some thought I was going to redshirt, and we wound up going to the tournament. Then, of course, last year’s run, and here I am. It’s been a lot of fun. It’s happened very fast. I’m looking forward to the future.
Q: Is it weird being noticed more now?
Hayward: It’s been real weird. Just because I kind of went from unknown to everyone knows who I am, and everyone stops to say it was a good run we had, which is tough for me because I missed the last two shots. At the same time, the fact that people noticed what Butler did, that kind of put Butler on the map, and I’m real proud of the program.
Q: Did you think at the beginning of the year that you’d be entering the draft this year?
Hayward: I really didn’t think about it much to be honest. For me, I was thinking about Butler and what we could accomplish. We did so much with that. After going to the Final Four, I obviously got more exposure. After the season, I got the chance to sit down with my father and talk about the decision we had to make.
Q: I think a lot of people figured with the team you’d have coming back at Butler than you’d maybe stay and give it another shot. Why the decision to come out.
Hayward: It was the right opportunity for me. To realize a dream, to play against the best competition from a basketball standpoint…….it really was a no brainer. The hardest part is that fact you’re leaving Butler. The people there are just phenomenal. They really do things the right way. Also growing up kind of around Indianapolis. I’m leaving my family and my friends. Really, that was the hardest part.
Q: How physically taxing has the last few months been for you?
Hayward: It’s been very taxing, both physically and mentally. Mentally, it’s a big part of it, because you’re going from city to city, hotel to hotel. Just to get yourself up to do another workout is kind of the taxing part mentally, but you only go through this once. And it is a job. I’m glad that it’s basketball.
