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Confidence has never been a problem for Cleveland Cavaliers rookie guard Dion Waiters, and despite having a few hiccups during Summer League play the Cavs' No. 4-overall selection in the 2012 NBA Draft is ready to start training camp, which begins Sept. 5.
Over the weekend, the Cavs' new guard talked about his preparation for training camp with the Syracuse Post-Standard writer Donna Ditota, who asked the 6'4, 215-pound guard what he's been doing to get ready for the upcoming season.
Working on every aspect of my game. Just continue to stay in game shape, like I am. Continue to eat right, like I’ve been doing. I’m a professional now. I gotta handle my business like a professional. That’s the main thing. Just staying on top of what I’ve been doing.
As for the biggest challenge the rookie has faced so far as a professional, Waiters responded:
Just having to say ‘no’ to a lot of people. People ask for things that they usually didn’t ask for. You just gotta say ‘no.’ Sometimes you might not want to, but you just can’t help that person in that situation at that time. That’s just basically it – just really watching your money and watching how much you’re spending and things like that.
The most interesting non-basketball related thing learned from the interview -- which can be read in its entirety here -- was after he signed his contract the first thing Waiters bought was a Ranger Rover for his mother.
For more on the Cavs' training camp, visit the SB Nation blog Fear The Sword.