Q&A with St. John's Point Guard Phil Greene IV
If you spend your time reading mock drafts to see what players the Nets may be targeting in this year’s NBA draft, you may not have heard of Phil Greene IV.
Although the former St. John’s point guard is not projected to be drafted and is unranked on DraftExpress, Greene remains optimistic that his name will be among the 60 to be called at Barclays Center on June 25th.
Leading up to the draft, Nets Daily News will be talking with some of the most intriguing prospects in this year’s class. Today, Nets Daily News had a chance to sit down with Phil Greene IV, who worked out for the team on Tuesday.
Ravi Shah: If you look at any of the mock NBA drafts, you usually don’t see your name there. How does this fuel you in this process that you feel like you have to go through a lot to get where you are today?
Phil Greene IV: Not being in the mock drafts motivates me to go harder and give my all during every workout because I feel like I have something to prove. I have to outwork everyone.
RS: How was your workout with the Brooklyn Nets? What kind of feedback were you getting from the coaching staff?
PG: My workout with the Nets went really well. It was very competitive and I feel like I did a good job defending and shooting the ball. Overall I think I did well and showcased what I am capable of. I got a lot of positive feedback. They liked the way I was shooting and my pressure while playing on the ball defense. Also they mentioned how they liked my competitiveness and how hard I played.
RS: How have your four years at St. John’s molded you into the player you are today?
PG: St Johns helped me grow a lot not just with my game, but also as a person. I became mentally tougher and my coaches have helped me prepare for this time in my life. Working with coaches who were previous players and NBA coaches has helped me gain an insight on what it is really like to workout at the next level.
RS: In the 2014-15 season, you averaged 13 points and 3.2 rebounds a game. How do you think your skills translate to the NBA?
PG: I know there is some aspects of my game I need to improve on, but I think that my quickness and my ability to create for others and myself can translate to the NBA. I also think being a scorer/shooter and being able to play multiple positions as a guard will help.
RS: Who do you emulate most while on the floor?
PG: Patrick Beverley. I love his defense and how hard he plays. He’s tough.
RS: In anticipation for the draft, what have you been working on skill-wise or physically?
PG: I’ve been working on my ball handling, getting better at making moves off the dribble and finishing. I’m also working on agilities, trying to become more explosive.