Posted: May 28, 2002

Although the Suns’ biggest need in the upcoming draft is a big body, President Bryan Colangelo and Head Coach Frank Johnson have made no secret that they would also like to add a shooter to the roster before next season. The Suns got a chance to see one of the draft’s better shooters in Maryland’s Juan Dixon during a private workout on Tuesday.

Following the morning session at America West Arena, Dixon spoke with reporters about his game and his hopes for the draft.

Question: You’re coming off a great season at Maryland, yet there is talk that you may not be drafted until the second round. How could that be?

Dixon: I don’t know, man. I’m not even going to sweat it. I have no control over that. All I can do is work hard and hopefully it will work out for me. I’ve been doubted my whole life, since I started playing this game, from grade school to high school to college and now this level. I just have to take it one day at a time and work hard. Hopefully I can stay healthy and things will work out for me.

Question: Do you feel that your size is a deterrent in some people’s minds?

Dixon: Probably. If I had been playing point guard in college it would make everything a lot easier. But I didn’t get the opportunity to play some point guard in school. Coach had me at the two guard position and I wasn’t able to handle the ball as much. So I think a lot of these coaches, scouts, general managers, they want to see me with the ball in my hand for more than two seconds. Our offense at Maryland was more of a passing offense. Here, on this level, at my position, I have to be able to handle the ball, get the team into the offense and make good decisions.

Question: Do you have any question in your mind that you can make that transition?

Dixon: No. I know I can make the transition. Before I got to college I played some point. And then the last four years in college, I played the two guard position. So it’s a transition I have to make. It’s going to be hard but I have a lot of confidence in my abilities to go out there and play some point guard. I think I defend well and I think I can make shots. You know, I just have to work on getting my team into the offense and I’ve just got to be patient. Hopefully wherever I go they will be patient with me and I’m sure it will work out for me.

Question: Can you defend down on the block against bigger two guards?

Dixon: Well, hopefully I can get into a situation where I can play some point. Or if not, a team draft me where they want to play me on the two, I’ll have a bigger point guard (alongside me). But I’m not worried about that. I have no concern. I’m going to work hard and I’m going to do whatever it takes to win. I’m going to compete. I’ve been doing that my whole life and I’m sure I’ll keep it up.

Question: How do you feel you would fit in with this Suns team?

Dixon: I think I fit in well. A lot of teams are going with two small guard and they have a great guard here in Stephon (Marbury). I think I can contribute to this program and this organization. I’ve just got to keep working. Hopefully they take a look at me, but if not I’m sure things will work out for me.

Question: You mentioned that other teams are going with smaller backcourts. That must be encouraging.

Dixon: Yeah, I think I can fit into it. Everybody knew I could score the ball, but a lot of people want to see me handle. I think I have the confidence to go out there and run a team, and handle the ball. But Stephon’s a great scorer. I think I’m a pretty good scorer. If you put us two besides each other, there might be a lot of points. But I’m not going to look ahead. I have to stay focused and keep on working hard.

Question: Is there a player in the league right now that you can compare your game to?

Dixon: I like Jason Terry. You know, we’re pretty similar coming out of college. A lot of people didn’t know if he could play the point and I think our build, not too big, he might be a little stronger than me, but we play the same position. He had to make that transition from two guard to point guard. I think it will work out for me, too.

Question: What did you guys do in today’s workout?

Dixon: We played some one on one. We competed a lot. A lot of screen and rolls, and we did some shootings. It was a pretty good workout. Everybody did well here and hopefully guys keep working hard, and it will work out for them.

Question: How do you feel you did?

Dixon: I guess it was alright. I worked hard. I think I did fine. Hopefully I can take it to another level.

Question: What’s next for you?

Dixon: I go to Denver today. Then I go to Orlando, which will be like my ninth or 10th workout. I’m making my rounds. Hopefully somebody likes me. It only takes one team.

Question: How similar have the workouts been?

Dixon: They’re pretty similar. You’ve got the big fellas with you, a lot of screen and rolls. If not, a lot of one-on-ones, a lot of shooting. The workouts are the same.

Question: Speaking of big fellas, what did you think of Nene Hilario, who you worked out with today?

Dixon: I like Nene. He’s athletic. I think he’s going to be fine at this level. Physically, I think he’s ready. He’s raw. He looks like the type of guy that’s going to work hard, so I think he’ll be fine. He’s going to be successful at this level.

Question: How about the big guys you played with at Maryland?

Dixon: Chris Wilcox is working hard right now. We all have the same person representing us, so we see a lot of each other. Guys are working hard. I think Lonny (Baxter) was here last week. So hopefully it works out for us. It’s going to work out for Chris, but hopefully it works out for me and Lonny and Byron (Mouton).

Question: Have you all been keeping in touch and comparing notes?

Dixon: Oh yeah, definitely. Lonny and I live together. Chris stays right in the same apartment complex, so we see a lot of each other.