Chicago Pre-draft camp media conference

Chris Bosh (Georgia Tech) is expected to be a lottery pick in the 2003 NBA draft. He spoke to the media at the Chicago pre-draft camp during the June 7-8 interview sessions.

Q: Are you nervous or excited about this process?

Chris Bosh: I am excited, but I don’t have many feelings right now. I am trying to get a lot of stuff done. But I guess after everything sets in, I will be more excited.

Q: How much do you pay attention to the projections, mock drafts, things like that?

Chris Bosh: I try to stay away from that. But people are going to tell you about it anyway. Even if I didn’t know anything about it, different people tell me about it, three times a day, four times a day. I try not to pay attention to it. I try to base my understanding on the information provided by (Georgia Tech) Coach (Paul) Hewitt.

Q: Last year at this time, Mike Dunleavy said the Warriors told him they were definitely taking him at No. 3. He went back to his parents and told them that, and his mother, who had most been against it, said, “I don’t see how you can’t go.” Is it a situation where you think you can go in the top five, is there any reason to stay in college basketball?

Chris Bosh: I guess it depends on the person. To me if you are top five, that is very hard to pass up. If you are the type of person where you want to go back to school and you believe that it will be there next year, go ahead. It just depends on the person.

Q: How did the one year at Georgia Tech improve your game?

Chris Bosh: I think being mentally stronger and my physical strength increased. Also being a student of the game, having a better understanding of the game.

Q: How did playing in the ACC prepare you for the NBA?

Chris Bosh: I think road games, especially for us. We didn’t have a very good road record, so coming in every night on the road and the fans involved, not having a good record and learning how to cope with it, that really made me grow.

Q: Do you still have thoughts of going back to school?

Chris Bosh: I just signed with an agent three days ago, Henry Thomas.

Q: What made you make up your mind? Because you are seen as a lock to go high?

Chris Bosh: Yes, that was it pretty much. Being a lock to go high.

Q: How much weight do you think you can put on?

Chris Bosh: I have picked up a few pounds since the season was over. It is kind of hard to say because the more weight I put on, the harder it will be to put on more weight. I guess it just comes with time. I just have to do it correctly.

Q: Did the possibility of getting hurt factor into your decision to come out now?

Chris Bosh: Yes, I think that runs through everybody’s mind. When you are projected to go at this number, and you are debating on whether to go out or come back, there is always the chance of injury, or just not playing well. That is a factor, too. So you have to weigh those options.


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