Eric Gordon can rest easy.\nThe 2007-08 Big Ten Freshman of the Year will leave everything leading up to this point behind. No more Illinois and Bruce Weber. No more injured wrist. No more coaching controversy.\nA highly touted recruit coming out of Indianapolis’ North Central High School, Gordon took Bloomington by storm from the first time he stepped on the court at Assembly Hall by scoring 33 points in his freshman debut, besting George McGinnis’ previous record by seven points. In leading the Big Ten in scoring with 20.9 points per game, Gordon etched his name in Hoosier record books by setting the single-season freshman scoring record with 669 points.\nThe IDS’ Matt Dollinger was able to catch up with Gordon, who is expected to be selected in tonight's NBA Draft Lottery, at the NBA Draft propsect’s media day in New York City. Gordon spoke about how he is preparing for the NBA, his thoughts on IU men’s basketball personnel changes and what he would do with an NBA salary.
\nIDS: Have you been keeping an eye on the activity in Bloomington?\nGordon: “I really pay attention to it. It’s kind of crazy just to see everyone I played with last year gone. There’s always something new.”
IDS: Did Coach Crean make a sales pitch to you before you left and ask you to stay?\nGordon: “No, he said I should go. He said I was ready for the next step. He watched me a lot this past season and said there’s no need for me to come back.”
IDS: Have you been keeping in touch with D.J.?\nGordon: “He’s been doing pretty good. Hopefully, I get to see him go in the first round, which I think he’s capable of doing.”
IDS: Have you talked to Jared Jeffries or any other former IU players that have played in the NBA?\nGordon: “Yeah, guys who came from IU always talk to each other. (Jeffries) and I have talked every now and then.”
IDS: There is a lot of uncertainty in the draft. Do you have an idea of where you’ll go?\nGordon: “No, not really. I’m just happy to get drafted. I know a lot of things can go on tomorrow, so we’ll just have to see what happens. I’ve heard from numbers four through seven, but you never know.”
IDS: Have a lot of teams asked you about you production drop-off in the second half of the season?\nGordon: “They have, I’ve noticed it. With my wrist and all the coaching stuff. Everything was just downhill in that situation.”
IDS: Who have you been working out with and training with?\nGordon: I worked a little bit with (NBA trainer) Tim Grover and a lot with (former Notre Dame point guard) Chris Thomas back in Indy, working on my point skills.”
IDS: Do you think you can play point guard in the NBA?\nGordon: “I think that’s my type of game. I just didn’t play that much in college.”
IDS: At what point in the season did you realize you were ready to go to the NBA?\nGordon: “I thought I was ready throughout the whole season. College helped me prepare for the NBA.”
IDS: Are you nervous at \nall the night before the draft?\nGordon: “A bit, yeah. It seems like over the past couple of weeks my sleep has been getting less and less.”
IDS: What are you going to buy once you become a millionaire?\nGordon: “I don’t know, of course a car. But I’m not a guy who buys a lot of expensive stuff.”
IDS: If you had been healthy and Sampson had stayed, do you think you would be one of the top picks in this draft?\nGordon: “Probably, that’s what I’ve heard. Things happen, so you just have to take things and see how it goes.”
