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Miami Heat rookie Dorell Wright (6-7, 200) was taken in the first round with the 19th overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft. As a senior at Leuzinger High School in Lawndale, California Wright averaged 24.8 points and 12.6 rebounds per game. Then, at South Kent Prep school for the 2003-04 season he averaged 29 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks per game. On Wednesday in New Jersey, InsideHoops.com editor Jeff Lenchiner met with Dorell for an exclusive interview.

InsideHoops.com: Talk about the NBA experience so far.

Dorell Wright: It's a great experience. I'm learning a lot from Shaq, EJ and the older players. I'm just using my teammates to get the most knowledge I can, so once it's time for me to get out there on the court, I'm ready and prepared to get out there and play... The NBA life is great. And you don't have to go to class no more.

InsideHoops.com: Describe your own game. Give me a scouting report on Dorell Wright.

Dorell Wright: Very athletic, like to get out and run the floor, and nice mid-range shot.

InsideHoops.com: And what are you working on the most right now?

Dorell Wright: Getting my shot consistent. That's what I've mainly been working on the most in practice, getting my shot consistent.

InsideHoops.com: What happens, you nail three of four, then miss a bunch, then nail three of four again?

Dorell Wright: Yeah. Yup.

InsideHoops.com: How's Shaq been? You're playing with The Man.

Dorell Wright: Man, it's just great that he gets all the attention, so you're just out there, you spot up and he's going to kick it out. He's a very unselfish player, so he's going to kick the ball out and make his teammates better.

InsideHoops.com: Going back to the Draft, did you know where you might go?

Dorell Wright: No, I had no clue where I was going to go, but I had a little clue that I was going to get drafted. I was hearing a lot of good things. I was kind of like, I know I'd be upset if I didn't get drafted, but everything worked out.

InsideHoops.com: Yeah, everyone knew you were going to get taken.

Dorell Wright: Yeah, somewhere in the 20's, to Boston or something like that.

InsideHoops.com: That was the rumor, that Boston might take you.

Dorell Wright: They were at a lot of my high school games last year. Danny (Ainge) used to come to a lot of games, and a couple of scouts.

InsideHoops.com: Who scouted you the most, Boston?

Dorell Wright: I'd say Boston, because they were over in Massachusetts, so they came to see a lot of games in that area, so they were at a lot of games.

InsideHoops.com: If you had to name some rookies who you expect to have a great season, other than yourself, who would you name?

Dorell Wright: I'd say Trevor Ariza, he's been doing real well for New York. He's one of my childhood friends. I talked to him the other day, just letting him know, just keep it up, go out there and do what you do. And I'd probably say another friend of mine, J.R. Smith, he's been doing pretty good over there in New Orleans, so I'm telling him the same thing, just keep your head up.