'Can a little guy from Albert Lea...'

Ben Woodside, the 5-10 North Dakota State guard, worked out for NBA executives Tuesday -- and talked about his chances to play pro ball.

Last update: June 3, 2009 - 7:28 AM

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The last time we saw Ben Woodside, the pride of Albert Lea, Minn., scored 37 points in North Dakota State's NCAA tournament first-round loss to mighty Kansas at the Metrodome. Nobody else scored as many points in the entire tournament.

On Tuesday, the 5-11 point guard worked out with four other NBA draft prospects for representatives from 20 teams at the Timberwolves' practice facility. Afterward, he talked about life since that March afternoon and his pro potential.

Q Did Larry Bird or Danny Ainge ever stop by to watch you at the YMCA or Valley Park growing up in Albert Lea?

A That didn't happen. Basically, it was myself and the sun going at it. It's a good feeling, Hall of Famers in the gym watching you. In my wildest dreams, I never thought I'd be in the gym with Larry Bird and Danny Ainge when I was down working at the park. I worked hard and I put myself in the position to be here. It feels good.

Q What do you hope those GMs and scouts take away from this workout?

A That Ben Woodside can play in the NBA. I'm good with the ball in my hands. I can create for others. I can knock down the jump shot.

Q How many times have you watched that Kansas game?

A I watched it once, to be totally honest. I let a couple days sink in and then I went back and watched it for fun. I didn't look at it for the things I did wrong or did right. I just watched it as a fan. I enjoyed it. It's too bad we didn't win. Having the support of 15,000 NDSU fans there at the Metrodome was unbelievable.

Q Do you think with a break or two, you could have won that game?

A Cole Aldrich is a big boy, that's all I'm saying ... It was a great experience, but kind of a bummer that we lost.

Q Think you'll get drafted?

A You know, it's hard to say. That's not my situation to tell. To be honest, I think it'll be tough for me to get drafted, but we'll have to see.

Q Can a little guy from little Albert Lea make it big in the NBA?

A If I do, I think all 20,000 people in Albert Lea will go nuts. I hope so. That's what I dreamt about ever since I was down at Valley Park, working by myself hours on end. If it doesn't happen with the NBA, I'm hoping something else will pop up, overseas or something.

Q Twenty thousand people in Albert Lea? Guess that's one way to fill Target Center?

A Hey, that's a lot of revenue coming in, isn't it? Maybe the Timberwolves should think about that.

JERRY ZGODA

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