Milwaukee Bucks rookie guard Jodie Meeks was selected 41st overall (second round) of the 2009 NBA draft and made a positive impression in NBA summer league play.

At Kentucky, he once went bonkers in a win over Tennessee, unleashing a crazy 54-point game on 15-of-22 shooting with 10-of-15 three-pointers.

The 6-4, 208-pound scorer is getting limited court time in his first NBA season, averaging 4.7 points and 1.9 rebounds in 13.2 minutes per game. But he's talented and has a bright future.

InsideHoops.com editor Jeff Lenchiner recently met with Meeks for an exclusive interview.

InsideHoops.com: How's the rookie season going? What's come easy, what's more difficult?

Jodie Meeks: I think everything's going pretty well. It takes a while to get adjusted to the style of play in the NBA. My role, coming off the bench, is to give a spark. But overall, I think I'm handling it pretty well. My team's playing pretty well lately.

InsideHoops.com: How would describe your own game and what you bring to a team?

Meeks: Most people call me a shooter, but I describe myself as a scorer. I think I can do more than just spot up and shoot it. I can slash to the hole, get my teammates involved, pass it. So I'd say more of a scorer and all-around player.

InsideHoops.com: If you could push a button and instantly improve any one aspect of your game, what would you want?

Meeks: I think my handle's pretty well, but tighten that up, be able to handle more as a point guard.

InsideHoops.com: How did life change from the time you were drafted through now?

Meeks: It's a dream come true. Playing in the NBA, wanted it all my life. Trying to work hard, and improve and develop.

InsideHoops.com: At what point did you figure out that you could go from being a good player to having a legit, realistic shot at really making the NBA?

Meeks: I wanted to play in the NBA all my life, since I was a little kid. I've always been pretty much better than anybody in my age group. But in high school I pretty much took that leap. Probably in 16-and-under AAU, I was out-playing everybody, playing against the top talent, so I figured I had a chance.

InsideHoops.com: And then you started to realize the dream could be reachable...

Meeks: I think, in my junior year, I had 54 points. Everybody saw that, and started talking about 'could he really?' I was still trying to stay focused but at the same time, I was like, 'this could really happen for me.'

InsideHoops.com: And around that time, did your support system, family or friends or advisors or whomever, start pushing you even harder?

Meeks: My mom, dad and sisters always support what I do. They were saying, definitely stay focused... keep your body in shape, you can make it.

InsideHoops.com: Is there one person more than anyone who really pushed you to succeed?

Meeks: I think my dad. My mom and dad are very close to me. My whole family is, but my dad worked with me all my life to be the best basketball player I could be, and the best person. He's my biggest coach and my biggest supporter. After every game I call him and see what he says.