WSOU Sports Exclusive: Interview with newly minted Chicago Bull Doug McDermott

Date: July 3, 2014

By: George Balekji, Assistant Sports Director

Among the thirty collegiate and international hopefuls who had their name called in the first round of the 2014 NBA Draft included one Big East alumnus, Doug McDermott.

McDermott was drafted out of Creighton University by the Denver Nuggets with the 11th overall pick, and shortly thereafter traded to the Chicago Bulls for a pair of draft picks.

"It was just such a surreal moment, a moment I waited my whole life for," McDermott told WSOU Sports. "Just to put on that hat and shake the commissioner's hand was so special."

The 6-foot-8 senior joins a Bulls squad that won 48 games this past season despite losing Derrick Rose for much of the season after suffering a torn meniscus. McDermott said he hopes to be part of the solution in Chicago.

"I'm Just looking forward to stepping on that floor and playing with [Derrick Rose], Joakim Noah, Jimmy Butler and the rest of the guys," he said.

The 22-year-old, who averaged 26.7 points per games for the Bluejays last season, addressed the transition from the NCAA to the NBA.

"It's a grown man's league," McDermott said. "You're playing against the best of the best and everyone is good on the floor so you have to bring your best every night.

The first four picks in this year's draft were all freshman. Although less experienced, McDermott said this class featured an elite level of talent.

"Those freshman certainly deserve to get taken, they're that good," McDermott said. I've gone through a lot more and seen a lot more so maybe I will adjust quicker to the NBA but I really think they'll all do just fine."

The Gavitt Tip-off Games, an eight-season challenge between the BIG EAST and Big Ten conferences, will feature some of college basketball's premiere regional rivalries, in particular, Creighton and Nebraska. Set to begin in 2015, the conference matchups, named after BIG EAST founder Dave Gavitt, will not include McDermott. Nevertheless, the now former Bluejay looks forward to watching the non-conference series play out.

"I expect to see Creighton verse Nebraska getting heated," he said. "It will be awesome and especially with Rutgers and Maryland joining the Big Ten they will bring that East Coast feel to it."

Listen to the full interview here:

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