NBA DRAFT

July 29, 2021

Jalen Green

Q. What was something you took way from this whole process, just getting to the NBA from your whole life growing up and up to now?

JALEN GREEN: I think just the work ethic. Finding a love for the game, working out and getting better every day. There's going to be a lot of free time that you're going to have throughout the process, just got to get in the gym and work better and get better at your craft every day.

Q. What have you seen from some of the young guys on the roster right now? Obviously, the Rockets are trying to rebuild but they need a centerpiece going forward. Do you think you can be that piece?

JALEN GREEN: Yeah, I think I can be that piece. I think I can bring that dog mentality, that defensive mindset and an exciting part at the same time. They already got a lot of star players, a lot of excitement on the team. I think they're just missing one more piece and I think I can fulfill that.

Q. What was it like when you heard your name?

JALEN GREEN: It was exciting. After that I hugged my family and all the nervousness went away and we just walked on that stage. All I was thinking about was the future, so it was an exciting moment for me.

Q. What do you think about going to the Houston Rockets?

JALEN GREEN: I think it's awesome. I'm excited. I love their program, I love their coaches. I'm just ready to go to work.

Q. When we look back at this and all the discussion and everything that it took for the Rockets to have gotten to the second pick, what will people say three, four, five years from now about their choice to have chosen you?

JALEN GREEN: They're going to say it's a great choice because the goals that I have for myself, I plan on reaching them. So, if everything goes right, they're going to say that.

Q. What are those?

JALEN GREEN: Great choice. Rookie of the Year, All-Star, All-Defense, max contract, we’re doing it big, so, yeah.

Q. As you look back at this entire process from the time you declared yourself to go to the G League until now, could this have been any more of a dream scenario for you to walk across that stage, put the hat on for the Houston Rockets, could it have been any better in this moment right now for you?

JALEN GREEN: No, I enjoy every part of it from the G League to now. I learned so much, I think I grew up so much, I learned about myself, got a lot of knowledge on and off the court. No, it couldn't have gone any better. I got my family here with me and that's the most important thing for me, that's the main thing that's making me happy right now, my family here to support me.

Q. You say you learned a lot from the G League and your coaches, what is some of the things that you learned from your coaches about playing in the NBA and what you're going see in the future?

JALEN GREEN: Just terminologies, how to get through the highs and lows, watching film, breaking down film, foot work, a whole bunch of things. I could keep going on with a list of how much we learned, but not even just on the court, like off the court too, lifestyle things. So, it all worked out perfectly.

Q. Can we talk about the suit for a second? What's the inspiration behind the suit and what role will fashion play in you building this character that is Jalen in the NBA?

JALEN GREEN: The inspiration behind it was I wanted to come different. I originally had a black suit. This was a backup suit and ended up working out perfect because we didn't want to come to the draft and make a statement with the suit. But going into the NBA I think I've already made a statement about how drip and how I dress and how I carry myself and I continue to -- I'm going to continue to do that through the NBA.

Q. I know you spent some time in Houston already and around the team. What has been your takeaway up until now?

JALEN GREEN: I think just the coaching staff and the offense and how they’re trying to focus in on defense. I think it just matched all my goals and it played to my strengths. It's a lot of pick-and-rolls, a lot of back door cuts and I'm trying to be All-Team defense, so it's all going to work out perfectly.

Q. There was a tweet about the three Filipinos in the NBA and so you're going to Houston which has a large Asian population, large Filipino community, and the last time they had a draft pick this high was actually Yao Ming. So, what does it mean to you, how excited are you to meet everyone out there and represent?

JALEN GREEN: Man, I'm always excited to represent the Philippines. So, the fact that there's ties in Houston it's kind of like it was scripted. So, I'm excited to take that out there and just represent and put on for the Philippines and can't wait to meet everybody and see the fans. It's going to be exciting.

Q. How excited are you to face off with Jordan Clarkson for the first time? He's the only other Filipino in the league.

JALEN GREEN: I'm excited, I can't wait, I cannot wait, I can't wait, I'll tell you that much.

Q. To piggyback maybe some of the other questions about the Philippines, it’s clear now that the Houston Rockets are going to get a major fan base from this side of the world, given your roots. I just want to ask, like how are you approaching taking that responsibility of knowing that there's an entire country and an entire nation rooting for you to succeed and hoping you shine as a superstar?

JALEN GREEN: From what I got that the Philippines love me for me. So, I'm just going to keep being myself I'm going to keep working hard and staying in the gym. It's not really a responsibility, it's the game I love and they support me, so I just can't wait to get out there and just put on for them. I'm excited.