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Chat Reel: Jeff Trepagnier

Former Trojan ready for the challenges of the NBA

Jeff Trepagnier thinks he would fit in well with Sacramento or Toronto in the NBA. M David Leeds/Allsport

CNNSI Host: Welcome to today's NBA Draft chat with Jeff Trepagnier. Welcome, Jeff. Glad you could join us.
Jeff Trepagnier: Thanks for having me!

From Chuck in Laguna Niguel, Calif.: I enjoy watching your athletic style of play. Growing up, which players did you model your game after?
Jeff Trepagnier: I really didn't have any one particular person. I just tried to be an all-around player. It's just a mix of everyone I watched, really.

From Marty1: Hello, Jeff. Did you play in any NBA pre-draft camps to help your draft status with NBA general managers?
Jeff Trepagnier: Well, yes, I played in the Phoenix Desert classic for all the seniors, and I got MVP of that, so it helped my draft status.

From Vic in Highland, N.Y.: Even though you didn't go to UCLA, somehow you managed to become a great talent, and mop up at the Desert Classic. I was looking forward to a repeat in Chicago, but you didn't show. What factors made skipping the camp a good idea?
Jeff Trepagnier: I felt I proved what I had to prove in the Phoenix camp. I shot the ball well and handled the ball well, and that was the knock on me. I didn't feel like I needed to prove myself again going into Chicago.

From Maxine Mason in Anaheim, Calif.: With all your talents, which team in the NBA do you feel will most likely benefit from your style of play? Do you think you are ready for the pressure of the NBA on and off the court?
Jeff Trepagnier: I think I fit in well with a team like Sacramento or Toronto because they have a lot of athletic guys. I can handle the pressure well, and I'm ready for the challenge.

From Rob Moore in Newport Beach, Calif.: Hi, Jeff. I loved watching you play this past year; some of your dunks remind me of Harold Minor in the early '90s. My question is, whom do you hope to play for and why? Also, how do you think USC will do next season, now that Sam Clancy decided to come back? Thanks and look forward to seeing you play in the NBA!
Jeff Trepagnier: I really don't have any particular team I want to play for. Whoever picks me, I'll go in there and do what I have to do, because I am a hard worker. Next year USC will have a pretty good run since Sam Clancy is coming back.

From Trepfan in College Park, Md.: Could you talk about your experience at USC and your impressions of the coaching staff?
Jeff Trepagnier: I had a good experience at USC. I developed a strong game over the past years. I think it's the best coaching staff in the NCAA. They're there for you, they have an open-door policy, and they don't tell you what you want to hear, they tell you what you need to do to get better.

From SC in Los Angeles: You never seem to get tired. How do you think your energy will hold up in an 82-game season? What have you added to your game since the Elite Eight run?
Jeff Trepagnier: I think I'll be in pretty good shape going into the NBA camps. My jump shot has improved a lot, and my ballhandling skills have improved also.

From Fred Jackson in Hartford, Conn.: In the individual workouts you have had for teams, who has been the best player you have played with?
Jeff Trepagnier: I really couldn't say right now because everybody is pretty much the same in the workouts; no one has really stood out to me.

From Furfy: Jeff, how exciting was it getting as far as you did in the tourney and playing the eventual winners as hard as you did?
Jeff Trepagnier: It was really exciting because no one expected us to get past the first round. We just gelled at the right time, and we turned a lot of heads, so it was real exciting.

From Brad Ohrtin Cullowhee, N.C.: Is it true that you never could dunk on your strength coach? Best of luck to you Jeff you have done a hell of a job so far.
Jeff Trepagnier: No, that's not true. If he ever wanted to jump with me, I would take the challenge, but he never did.

From liss: Have the Warriors shown any interest?
Jeff Trepagnier: As of yet, they haven't contacted my agent or me.

From SC_FAN: What do you think of Henry Bibby?
Jeff Trepagnier: I think he's one of the best coaches in the country because he's won so many championships and knows how to put you in a winning situation.

From Furfy: How much of an impact has Henry Bibby had in your basketball life as a whole?
Jeff Trepagnier: He had a tremendous impact because he helped me to get to the point where I am now. He told me what to do to improve every year, and I am where I am at now because of him.

From Skid: What kind of music do you listen to?
Jeff Trepagnier: I listen to all types of music, but mainly rap and R&B. I listen to a little bit of rock 'n' roll on MTV.

From Marty1: Hello, Jeff. Describe what it will be like to hear your name called during the NBA Draft for you and your family?
Jeff Trepagnier: It's going to be a real good feeling, but until that time I am going to be nervous. When it does get called, I am probably going to jump up and run around the block a few times.

From liss: Who would you compare yourself to in the NBA?
Jeff Trepagnier: Right now, with the way I am playing, you could call me Baby Vince. I think he can shoot it deep, or take it off the dribble, but I play better defense.

From Furfy: Jeff, are you going to be at the actual draft selection ceremony?
Jeff Trepagnier: I don't think I'm going to be there. They're only inviting 12 people. I'll stay in L.A. and have a little get-together with my family.

From liss: Who do you believe should be the No. 1 pick in the draft?
Jeff Trepagnier: I think I should! [laughs]

CNNSI Host: That's all the time we have today with Jeff Trepagnier. Jeff, thank you for joining us and good luck in the draft.
Jeff Trepagnier: Thanks!

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