Eric Moreland, Travis Wear, David Wear

Eric Moreland signed a three-contract with the Sacramento Kings in July after the undrafted free agent impressed in the Las Vegas Summer League.

(Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press)

CORVALLIS -- This past weekend, Eric Moreland used a break with the Sacramento Kings to visit his alma mater for the first time since declaring for the NBA draft. The former Oregon State forward visited men's basketball practice, met the new coaching staff and watched the football team beat San Diego State.

He also caught up with The Oregonian about a number of topics. Below is an edited transcript of the conversation with Moreland, who signed a three-contract with the Kings in July after the undrafted free agent impressed in the Las Vegas Summer League.

The last time I talked to you, your plan was to land a deal with the Kings. What worked for you at summer league?

"After the draft and the teams called, I tried to pick what was the best option for me. I had like five or six teams call and ask me to join them in summer league. The Kings, they were the first team to call. I knew I had already done good at that workout, and I knew they didn't have a pick. So I knew that was the best situation with the five returning players coming in. I knew that if we could win and what they need is what I have, it could work out like that. It was pretty much a smart plan to go that route."

So do you basically feel like everything went as planned?

"Exactly. What they need, that's just me as a player. It wasn't like I needed to do something out of the ordinary. I didn't have to do pull-up 3's or anything like that. I just had to be me, that's all I had to do."

Did the coaches tell you before summer league that they wanted you to focus on defense, rebounding and blocking shots?

"I knew that's what they needed because we struggled on defense last year. We were last in a lot of categories defensive-wise. I knew they needed a shot blocker and a rebounder, and that's what I do. When I figured that's what they needed, I was like, 'OK, I've got that for you.'"

So I'm guessing you weren't really worried about offense at all?

"Not at all. With five returning players, they probably weren't expecting me to do much based off my career at Oregon State. I just did exactly what they wanted me to do. And then now that I got that deal, now I can show them a little bit more of what I can do. I mean, I wasn't really able to do that here. And I didn't really get a chance to do that in Summer League, but I didn't really need to do that."

Have the coaches given you an idea of what your role will be this year?

"Well there's like four other people in my position, so it's going to be a battle. I've been up there so far for the past three weeks going at it with Reggie Evans, Jason Thompson, Carl Landry. My role is going to be exactly what my role was in summer league. I don't need to do all of the offensive stuff when we have Rudy (Gay), DeMarcus (Cousins) and people like that on the team. I've talked with DeMarcus and all the guys on the coaching staff, and they've just said, 'Keep doing what you're doing.' Hopefully you'll see my role start to increase."

What have been your thoughts on OSU's new coaching staff?

"I met the coaching staff today. They seem like really good people. They get after it. They know what they're talking about. I went to practice today and they were working. It was good to see that they were working and just getting better everyday. I'm happy to see that. I'm happy to see all of the guys back and that everyone's working hard."

Do you still kind of carry a chip on your shoulder with the Kings?

"I feel like I always have a chip on my shoulder. There's no better way to do it. If you play with a chip on your shoulder, then you have motivation already. But then, on top of that, going undrafted is always motivation. You're always thinking about the people who were picked before you and that sort of thing."

You've become a bit of a fan favorite in Sacramento. What does that kind of support mean to you?

"It's really humbling because they appreciate what I do. It's the 50/50 balls, the intangibles, the me putting my all onto the court. They're not even worried about the offense. ... They know I'm trying. I'm giving it my all every time I step out there. They notice and appreciate that. I love the fans up there, man. They're amazing. They're so supportive. That's all I want to do is help the team win. That's all I've ever wanted to do. So the fact that they see that and appreciate that, I can give them that all day. That's amazing."

If someone had told you when you declared for the draft that this would be your situation right now, would you be content? Do you feel like things have worked out as well as you could've hoped so far?

"It's been a rollercoaster. You know, especially with the suspension and all. It's been one roller coaster. But God works in mysterious ways, and He's been watching over everything. I always go by, 'Dream big, work hard and let God do the rest.' So I had mishaps, learned from those and tried to mold myself into a better person. I don't regret anything, like I told you earlier. I'm happy with where I'm at."

Do you feel like everything you've been through has kind of prepared you for this moment?

"You just have to learn from it; that's the biggest thing. You can't worry too much about the mistakes. You just learn from it and then focus on not doing it again when you get to the next level. You've just always got to be a sponge and pick up everything."

Have any players on the Kings become mentors for you yet?

"Yeah, they're all really good teammates. DeMarcus has reached out to me. I talked with him yesterday. I can see that he's going to be my mentor, and that's big because he didn't have to do that. For him to do that, that's pretty special. Darren (Collison) talks to me a lot, and so does Reggie. It's good. They don't have to do that. So the fact that they're reaching out to me and stuff like that and they know I can help the team, it's great."

-- Connor Letourneau | @ConnOregonian