After his 14th NBA pre-draft workout Monday morning, former Mississippi State standout Mario Austin seemed ready for the draft to finally be behind him.

"It's been long," Austin said, after going through drills for the Hornets at the Alario Center in front of new coach Tim Floyd and executive vice president of basketball operations/general manager Bob Bass. "It's tough to go from city to city. I'll just be glad when it's over and I can settle down."

Austin, a 6-foot-9, 260-pound power forward, has five more teams scheduled on a road trip that concludes June 25. That gives him just one day to spend with his family before he learns which team has selected him in the June 26 NBA draft.

And there will be "no rest then," Austin said.

An early entry into the draft after his junior season, Austin appeared comfortable with his surroundings Monday. He spent plenty of time in the region while playing college ball in Starkville, Miss. His last trip here as a collegian came during the Southeastern Conference tournament in March.

"It'd be extra special," Austin said of the prospect of playing in New Orleans. "My family could come and watch me play. I've been here quite a few times. It's home away from home."