NEW YORK -- A 6-3 point guard from Illinois, Deron Williams helped lead his Fighting Illini to an amazing season, falling just short of a national title in an NCAA Championship Game loss to North Carolina. Still, the stocky floor general established himself as a likely top-six pick in the 2005 NBA Draft, thanks to his leadership ability, tough defense and ball distribution skills.

Before the draft, we had a chance to show Deron an advance copy of the upcoming NBA LIVE 06 - including a reproduction of himself in an NBA uniform -- and we chatted with him about the game, his pro aspirations, and more.

EA SPORTS: You've had a chance to play a bit of NBA LIVE 06 - what did you think? How did it look?

Deron Williams: It was definitely nice. I wasn't expecting to see myself in the game already - it's just kind of crazy to think about it. It looked just like me - I was a little bit surprised about that as well.

EA SPORTS: You got to check out some of your in-game moves - what were they like?

Deron Williams: Definitely game-like. It's definitely a simulation of what real moves are like in the NBA? I think you've pretty much covered everything.

EA SPORTS: You mentioned while you were playing that your facial reproduction in the game includes your same kind of hair and everything.

Deron Williams: Yeah, my facial features, my little hair right here [rubs chin], you've got my little cow-lick right here? you've got it pretty down, down to a T.

EA SPORTS: Is it wild to see yourself in a video game like that? Did you ever think when you were growing up that you'd be in an EA SPORTS game?

Deron Williams: Nope, I probably didn't. I hoped to, but it's a dream come true. It's something special to be in the NBA LIVE game.

EA SPORTS: One of the new features this year is Freestyle Superstar, where there are several different types of Superstars, each with their own moves and strengths. One of the Superstar categories is Playmaker - who in the NBA do you think really embodies that term?

Deron Williams: I've gotta say Jason Kidd, because that's my favorite player. And definitely Steve Nash, you know - he took it to another level this year with his play. He's one of the top playmakers in the league.

EA SPORTS: What do you like the most about Jason Kidd?

Deron Williams: Just the way he plays the game. He plays with passion, and he gets people involved. If you're going to play point guard, it's a definite lost art - true playmakers are missing from the game, and I think he's one of those true point guards. He gets everybody involved, and then looks to score.

EA SPORTS: In college you racked up a lot of assists. Is that always your first mentality, to pass?

Deron Williams: Yeah, it's my nature to get people involved. It's my job as a point guard to get teammates involved.

EA SPORTS: One of the other Superstar types is Power. Who do you think of when it comes to Power?

Deron Williams: Power? Shaq. The most dominant player ever.

EA SPORTS: How are you feeling about the draft?

Deron Williams: Nervous, definitely nervous. I'm ready to find out what team I'm going to be playing for and where I'll be going.

EA SPORTS: When will it hit you that you're going to be an NBA player - or has it already?

Deron Williams: It's been in my mind since the process started. After the season, after I was done with college, and I signed with an agent and forfeited my senior year is pretty much when I knew I was going to be an NBA player.

EA SPORTS: The team that drafts you, what are they going to get?

Deron Williams: A winner. I've won at every level. I'm a guy that goes out there and will do whatever I have to to help my team win: play defense, get people the ball, put people in the best position to score.

EA SPORTS: In terms of improving your game, what are you going to focus on the most in the off-season?

Deron Williams: I think becoming a more consistent shooter: getting my percentages up across the board, free throws, three-point, field goals in general? get everything up, all my numbers.