IU senior guard Jeremiah Rivers spoke with members of the media this afternoon about his recent invite to the Portsmouth Invitational Pre-Draft camp. The event takes place Wednesday through Saturday and will feature some of the top senior college basketball players in the nation. Approximately 200 scouts from the NBA, NBDL and International teams will be present.
JEREMIAH RIVERS: This opportunity, first and foremost, is a blessing. It's an honor just be invited to this camp. It's been going on for years and it's helped so many players. Landry Fields (of the Knicks) is a perfect example. He's someone that initially didn't have as much opportunity at Stanford, as far as the draft is concerned, but now he's one of the best rookies in the NBA. It's just little stories like that, that are a true testament to what Portsmouth can do for players. It really allows the opportunity for seniors and players around the country to display their talents. I'm very, very excited.
IU MEDIA: When did you first hear the news and what was your initial reaction?
JR: I heard last week - probably last Tuesday or Wednesday - that I had been invited. I was really excited. I was actually ready to play the next day. I was like, "man, I wish I didn't have to wait a week." I was just really eager. I've been working really hard ever since the season ended. I've been in Boston the past two and a half weeks or so and it's been going really, really well. I'm just trying to seize every opportunity. I'm ready to roll.
IM: How do you prove to scouts that you are ready for the next level at an event like this?
JR: Honestly, I think competing and winning. In a camp like this, showing them I'm the best scorer or showing that I can jump the highest or do these different things, I don't think that's what they are looking for. They are looking for people that can help the team in any situation. We're the players that help teams win in different ways.
The best way, for me at least, is to compete and do what I'm best at. I'm not going to stray far from that.
IM: Can you talk about your time in Boston and how you have been trying to improve your game?
JR: The way I've improved the game has been a little bit different this year. It's really been getting better with my strength. It's about getting to the rim and finishing at the basket and making plays for others. I've also worked on being a true point guard, which is my natural position. My dad and I have been going over that quite frequently the past two weeks. I get to the gym around 9:30 a.m. or 10 every morning and I don't leave until about 2:30 or 3. Between I do strength and conditioning there and finish with about 2 hours of basketball. It's been a different routine, but it's been good for me.
IM: With your dad a coach in the NBA, has he given you any tips or advice heading into this camp?
JR: He just tells me to do what I know and play my game. 'You don't need to show anybody what you can't do or try to prove to them that you can do something. Just play your game. Go out there, enjoy basketball, compete and win. Everything else will take care of itself.' I trust him more than anything, so that's what I plan on doing.
