"Players in the NBA are as big as I am, and they are superstars. If I'm going to play in the NBA, I have to get in shape, get stronger than I am and continue to improve my game," Araujo said. "I have worked hard all my life. I look forward to Chicago where I can be tested, show my skills. They will be looking at one-on-one, my shooting, my lifting and there will be medical people to examine me. I look forward to it."

Araujo is aware the Utah Jazz may have a shot at taking him and the idea is appealing.

"The people in the community have been very good to me. They are awesome. If I were to play in Utah, I think that would be great because the fans here know me and have supported and respected me. I feel very comfortable here because it is like my home."

Araujo called Jerry Sloan the "best coach in the NBA" and a person he believes could get the most out of him as a player. "He has proven he can make the best out of his players and shown how he has taken a young team and won on the road and at home. I think he's awesome."

He's saying the right things for the locals.

But the best part of Araujo is something you wouldn't know unless you have been around him. On the surface, because of his "incidents" of elbows and swings this past college season, the easy label is "dirty player."

But get in deep and close and it's obvious the big bruiser Araujo is a very nice, kind, polite guy.

I say that with a caveat: He is not so nice that he'd go fetal if slapped by a Los Angeles Laker. He can go vampire if blood (manhood) is on the line.

Araujo has a child-like fascination for the game. He likes people and laughs easily. When you talk to him, he is excitable. It's still a game to him but he approaches it like work — serious work. He isn't spoiled He is not a complacent person. He has an engine, and it isn't a Yugo.

Who knows if an Araujo-Jazz marriage is in the works, but it wouldn't be a bad hookup. The Jazz have done worse. Araujo doesn't have foot problems, he isn't psycho, and he won't play one night and wonder what's not in him on six other evenings of the week.

The last time Araujo played in the Delta Center, it was against Final Four-bound Oklahoma State. He had a career-high 32 points and 17 rebounds.

Somehow, that building brought out the best in this chameleon.

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E-mail: dharmon@desnews.com