Hoyas Wright, Vaughn Taking Their Game to Another Level

Scores of soon-to-be college graduates are beginning the interview process with prospective employers. Hoyas Chris Wright and Julian Vaughn are no exception. They just wear shorts and basketball shoes instead of a suit and tie for the occasion.

On Saturday the two former Georgetown starters made their initial forays into what will be a near two-month audition for influential professional basketball decision makers, both home and abroad. They were among the NBA hopefuls working out at the Verizon Center, trying to make the all important first impression - in this case notably to Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld - before the June 23 NBA Draft.

“You are presenting yourself, trying to get a job,” said Vaughn, one of six participating players. “These are job interviews for us so you have to be on your A-game."

Though he has played in the arena plenty during his four years with the Hoyas, often with wild and loudly appreciative success, Wright said he was "very nervous" heading into his first professional workout.

The fact that it was with his hometown team brought out the kid in him - Wright said he was "jumping up and down" when he was told the Wizards had come calling - but the event itself required a mature approach.  
  
"It’s a different experience. It is a job interview," said Wright, who grew up in Bowie and played at St. John's College High School before reaching the Hilltop. "You have to approach it in a very professional way.”
  
For Wright, on advice from Hoyas coach John Thompson III, that meant to simply stay true to his normal process, especially on the court.  

"Coach said work hard, be positive, just be myself,” said the 6-foot-1 guard who led the Hoyas with 5.3 assists per game last season. “It’s natural for me to be vocal, lead by my voice and just be a point guard. That’s what I am.”

During the 15 minute portion of the hour-plus workout that the media was allowed to observe, the feisty Wright's competive nature came out during a one-on-one drill where the object was to score three straight baskets, each against a different defender. 
  
After converting on two consecutive shots, Wright failed on the third with the defender in close proximity, but he called for and was granted a foul. That's something at least some on-hand failed to recall in previous workouts, but few have shown to be as competitive as the Hoyas emotional leader.
  
“Especially now, I’m not giving (away) any free baskets,” said Wright.
  
Neither player is considered a lock to be selected in the draft, which is why dedicating themselves to putting their best foot forward is so crucial.

Besides completing his school work, Vaughn said he been running three miles on alternate days with daily trips to the gym.

The 6-foot-9, 250-pound center has also been picking the brain of former Hoya big men who have recently gone through the draft evaluation process, specifically NBA first-rounders Roy Hibbert and Greg Monroe.

"They're just telling me it's a grind, you can have three, four workouts in a week," said Vaughn, who led the Hoyas in rebounding this past season. "You have to really be ready. Sleep, eating good. You have to dedicate your body. You're a professional now. It's you job and your body is your company. You have to take care of it."
 
Vaughn acknowledged that playing at the Verizon Center helped him get through that potentially tricky first workout and that, even though the location was familiar, it was "definitely a new experience for sure, a little different than anything we've ever done."
  
It's also odd that one goes to a building for an interview that on one side of the exterior is affixed with a banner showing your face, but Wright was afforded that unique experience.
 
"I think they're gonna take that down," Wright said of the Georgetown banner that hangs . "I don't know. Hopefully I could get to keep it. I'm sure my mother would want it. Hopefully I can get one with the Wizards."