For someone who averaged just 14.8 minutes during the Bulls' first five preseason games, Trent Hassell sure gets a lot of play during interviews with coach Tim Floyd.

As a junior last season at Austin Peay, the shooting guard earned a reputation as one of the country's best players whom no one had ever seen. That anonymity could be blamed on playing at Austin Peay.

The 6-5, 200-pound Hassell, 22, now seems to be one of the best, and most anonymous, new players on the Bulls.

Hassell is so mysterious, he doesn't even agree with his reputation as a designated shooter.

''I wouldn't count myself as a shooter,'' he said, despite shooting 47 percent from the field and 35 percent from three-point range last season. ''I got that reputation because I shot well in training camp.

''I'm more of a slasher and post player. I have to work on my shooting because I don't feel that comfortable shooting off picks. In college, I generally got my shots off the dribble. So I have to adjust my game.''