Q&A with former UNC forward James Michael McAdoo

WASHINGTON — Exactly a week before the 2014 NBA Draft, former North Carolina forward James Michael McAdoo participated in a pre-draft workout with the Washington Wizards. 

After the workout Thursday, senior writer Aaron Dodson caught up with McAdoo, who DraftExpress.com ranks as the No. 54 prospect in this year’s class, to talk about leaving UNC, his marriage to UNC volleyball player Lauren Adkins, Rashad McCants' comments with ESPN and playing in the NBA.

THE DAILY TAR HEEL: How was your workout with the Washington Wizards?

JAMES MICHAEL MCADOO: It was awesome. I’m not really a hometown kid, but I’m from Virginia. Having the opportunity to come here and work out in front of this coaching staff and front office, especially for a great team and do pretty well. In my mind, it’s just a blessing from God.

DTH: How many teams have you worked out for leading up to the draft?

JMM: This is number 10. I've worked out for the Clippers, Knicks, 76ers, Chicago, Utah, Dallas, Houston, here. I've probably missed some. Cavaliers. And then I've got two more. I've got Memphis tomorrow and I've got Toronto on Monday then I'm done.

DTH: What's the whole process been like for preparing for the draft?

JMM: It’s been crazy. It’s been nothing what I thought it was going to be like, from the travel to the workouts. Just the amount of people you meet. It’s crazy, but I’m excited. It’s an opportunity that’s once in a lifetime and I’m out here living my dream. God is good, I’m injury free. And I’m just having the opportunity, first to get into these workouts and do pretty well. Show these teams, the front office guys, that I’m serious and they should pick me.

DTH: What made you decide to forgo your senior year at North Carolina and enter the NBA draft?

JMM: It was a tough decision. But at the end of the day, I knew the time was right — something I really thought about with my family, prayed about it a lot. That was huge. But just having the opportunity to finally live my dream. I had three great years at Carolina. I wish things could’ve went a lot better, obviously won some more games, a championship. But I got a lot better because of it. I learned a lot about myself, and now I’m a full time basketball player and there’s nothing greater to me.

DTH: What specific aspects of your game have you been trying to improve before the draft?

JMM: Really just trying to be solid. I feel like, at Carolina, I did a lot of things pretty well. But really, you know, coming to the next level, I realize that I’m gonna have to be able to do a couple things, really, really well. Catch it. Make an open jump shot. Attack the rim strong and finish. And then on the defensive end, be able to guard and not just matchup with a guy, but be able to get shots.

DTH: You got married to UNC volleyball player Lauren Adkins in early April. How's it feel to be both a working and married man?

JMM: It’s been crazy, these past couple weeks. Our first month we were married, it was the very end of school. And then of course when school ended, I wanted to work out here in D.C. where I’m living and she went to Europe for a month for volleyball. So we’ve really barely seen each other. But it makes for an awesome story one day. The circumstances, you wish, were obviously a little better, but definitely I love my wife. She’s been so supportive of me, it’s been great and I’m excited for her to finish her senior year.

DTH: What sort of criticism do you think came as a result to you deciding to leave UNC?

JMM: Obviously, everyone thought Lauren was pregnant, which is crazy because if anyone knows me they know that I’m not that type of kid. I thought a lot of people were glad because they just didn’t like me. A lot people on the other end of the totem pole probably really wish I would’ve come back and played another year.

DTH: There were rumors Lauren was pregnant, which factored into your decision to declare for the draft. Is that true?

JMM: No, she's not pregnant.

DTH: What are your thoughts on former Tar Heel basketball player Rashad McCants' interview about his time academically at UNC?

JMM: I went to class — 35 hours from getting my degree. It’s tough when you see stuff like that. And especially, not just for other basketball players that graduated from UNC, but other athletes. It kind of puts a bad mark on them. But at the end of the day, we all realize that we all earned our degree there.

DTH: Lastly, how does it feel to be so close to achieving your dream of playing in the NBA?

JMM: I’m at this point where I’m like, ‘Alright, I got two workouts left and then it comes down to watching ESPN on June 26 and finding out if my dream comes true.’ So it’s crazy. It’s surreal. It’s a blessing from God. So much so.

Contact the desk editor at sports@dailytarheel.com.