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With the 18th pick in the first round of the 2005 NBA Draft the Boston Celtics picked high school superathlete Gerald Green. The 6-8, 200-pound swingman is still developing his basketball skills, but already has as much athletic ability as any baller on the planet. Tuesday in New Jersey, InsideHoops.com editor Jeff Lenchiner met with Green for an exclusive interview.

InsideHoops.com: How'd your summer go?

Gerald Green: It went pretty good. Just tried to get ready for the season to start. And tried to get ready for summer league.

InsideHoops.com: And summer league, how'd it feel?

Gerald Green: It went good. I still have a lot of work to do, so I try to work hard every day and bring my best.

InsideHoops.com: For you, was summer league more of a case of learning specific things, or mainly just playing and getting out there?

Gerald Green: Just playing and getting out there. Got my first taste of the NBA, and I tried to go out there and play my best.

InsideHoops.com: What was the highlight of summer league for you? Was it that big dunk you threw down that everyone raved about?

Gerald Green: No, not really. I've dunked it, dunks like that before. I thought it was just an average play. I mean, I thought it was a good play, but I was really just trying to focus on winning the game.

InsideHoops.com: So now you're here with the Celtics, preseason, you're not playing too much but you're here and around the action and practicing. Has any one player helped you more than anyone else?

Gerald Green: No, they've all helped the same. They've all pitched in a whole bunch, and if these guys weren't so generous and so helpful I don't know where I'd be today.

InsideHoops.com: Would you call yourself a small forward, or a shooting guard?

Gerald Green: On the offense that we run, it doesn't really matter. I'm just a wing player.

InsideHoops.com: And defensively, do you see yourself better against shooting guards or small forwards?

Gerald Green: I don't know. That's one thing I got to work on, I got to work on my defense. Shooting guard or small forward, they're kind of the same thing to me.

InsideHoops.com: And your skills right now, besides defense what do you think you have to work on the most?

Gerald Green: Probably my handle. And probably mental toughness.

InsideHoops.com: And what parts of your game do you think are ready right now?

Gerald Green: I don't know. I'm out of high school, so I think everything probably needs to be tuned and polished before I can get out there and perform to the best of my ability.

InsideHoops.com: Has the team said anything to you about you possibly heading down to the D-league to get some experience?

Gerald Green: No, they haven't said anything to me about that.

InsideHoops.com: Would you prefer to stay here and be around the team even if your time is limited, or would you be cool with playing in the NBDL and getting on-court experience. Or is it just whatever the team thinks is best?

Gerald Green: I think it would have to be whatever the team thinks is best. As a player I would love to stay here and work and play with my team every day and get better with my team, but if they think that's the best thing for me than I'll have to do it.

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