Jeff Adrien interview: "Some of these NBA teams need some toughness"

Going through this whole process with two other Connecticut teammates, does it make it easier and more comfortable?

Yeah, it definitely is. Having those two guys that you’ve been playing the last three years with does make it a little easier and everything, knowing that they’re going through the same thing. But coming out here, it’s like an honor to be out here. You’re surrounded by great players and I’m happy to be here.

Is toughness one of your best attributes you’d bring to an NBA team?

Definitely. Toughness, leadership, rebounding, inside scoring. I think I bring a lot to the table. Just going out there and showing them that I can do that stuff at the next level. Toughness is a very big thing and some of these NBA teams need some toughness.

What position do you feel you would be in the NBA?

I think I’m an undersized four. There are guys at my position that have had great success and I’m trying to fall in their footsteps. I definitely feel I’m physical enough to play the position. That’s my game.

How has this experience in Chicago gone?
Hopefully they don’t wake us up at six again but it’s cool. Today we got out there, broke a sweat, played a little basketball. Stuff that we love to do and the whole process of being here is fun. Being surrounded by great player and being one of the top 52 players out here is an honor.

A couple months later, what’s it like looking back on that six overtime game. You know when the ESPY's come around its going to be the game of the year:

If the ESPY's come around and it’s the game of the year, I hope I’m there to honor it. It definitely was fun game. I loved every second of it. Even though we didn’t win, it still felt like we won. There are some games where you come out and you still feel like you won. We felt like we really gave it our best, and I really think that game helped us get to the Final Four. It was good to have that game.

NBA Pre-draft Combine Results

Height w/o shoes: 6' 5.25"
Height w/ shoes: 6' 6.5"
Weight: 236
Wingspan: 7' 2"
Standing Reach: 8' 11.5"
Body Fat: 7.9 percent
No Step Vert. 27.5
Max Vert. 31.5
Bench Press: 16
Lane Agility: 11.34
3/4 Court Sprint: 3.32 sec.