Blake Griffin Press Conference Quotes

April 9, 2008

FRESHMAN BLAKE GRIFFIN
Opening statement:
"I want to thank everyone for coming out, first of all. I have had kind of a tough time the past two to three weeks trying to decide what I am going to do. Looking back on it, I have had a fun freshman year. It has been fun here, but it is time for me to announce that I am coming back for my sophomore year. I am excited about it, and as a team we are all excited about next year. I am looking forward to moving on."

On what the key reasons were on why he decided to return for his sophomore year:
"Definitely the chance to have a great team next year and to be better and to improve upon last year. Also, to get better individually and to be more prepared for whenever I do leave, to be ready to actually come in and make a difference and contribute on an NBA roster."

On his family's influence on his decision:
"Most of the time when we sat down and talked it was more of just going over the pros and cons of both situations. We discussed what we felt would be the advantages and what would be the disadvantages. It wasn't a lot of 'I think he should do this and I think he should do that.' It was more of a guiding, which I feel was a big help for me. I knew that no matter how much I thought about it, they would influence my decision. They kind of left it up for me and gave me the information and let me sort it out."

On if injuries played a factor in his decision:
"I wouldn't say it made it any more difficult. It kind of was a factor, but injuries will come and injuries will always be there. You can't really focus on that a lot. What it came down to was me being ready, not about my having an injury or if it will hurt me next year."

On what it will mean to play with his brother, Taylor, for his senior season:
"It is really going to be a lot of fun, I am really looking forward to it. It was fun in high school and it is on a different level here. I'm really looking forward to not just playing with Taylor, but playing with everyone we have coming back and our new guys coming in."

On what aspects of the game he feels he can improve upon for next season:
"I definitely think that for however long I am playing there is always something I can work on or some things I can get better at. Definitely, right now, I am working on my shot and extending it out and being more comfortable with it and having a feel for it. Also, becoming more of a leader and going hard every single drill and every single workout that I do. I need to make that a routine where it just becomes natural."

On if he thought about putting his name in the draft without hiring an agent, giving him the option to return to Oklahoma:
"I thought about it. But when it came down to it, I didn't want to put my name in and be unsure. I only wanted to put my name in if I was 100 percent sure. Unless I feel like I am ready at that point, I don't see the point of just putting your name in. It's a good option for some guys, but it wasn't an option for me."

HEAD COACH JEFF CAPEL
On what it means to have Blake Griffin return to the team next season:
"Obviously, it means a lot to our program to have a guy who will be one of the best players in college basketball next year coming back. I am happy for Blake, to be completely honest with you. I am happy that he is doing what he wants to do. I know how agonizing this was for him. I am really proud of the way he handled everything; he and is his family, they did it the right way. We gathered information and he made an informed decision. Most importantly, he made a decision on what he wants to do. It may not be popular to some other people, but he made a decision on what he wants to do.

"Either way I would have been happy because he is happy. I am one of the biggest Blake Griffin fans that there are. That is one of the things when we first met, I told him that I wanted him to do what was best for him. My job was to get him as much information so he could make the most informed decision. I think we did that because of the relationship that we have. We were honest throughout.

"I heard a lot of things, I am sure he heard some things. But the one thing that we agreed, and this happened during the recruiting process, is that we would believe each other and not what everyone else was saying. I feel good because he feels good. When he told me yesterday the first thing I asked him was 'How do you feel about it. Do you feel good about it and is it something that you want to do.' Then I said okay, let's go to work and start getting better and getting ready for next year."

On if it is safe to say Blake turned down an opportunity to be a top-10 NBA Draft selection this year:
"Yes, it is safe to say that."

On next year's team:
"Our guys have been working really hard and started up on Monday. Our guys are anxious after watching the rest of the (NCAA) tournament. Our returning guys knew how hard they worked last summer. One of the things when I met with each guy individually, I thought that was the big reason why we got better this year and improved was because our returning guys got better. It is going to be the same thing for next year's team. Our returning guys have to get better, Blake and the other guys.

"When our new guys get here in June and July, it sets the tone of how these guys are and how they have gotten to that point. It is important for Blake to be a leader, and it is something he wants to do. I think he has the potential to be a great leader, which will not only help him next year, but beyond Oklahoma when he gets to that next level."

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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