Jeff Pendergraph’s voice sounded distant, worn and beat.

It was a Tuesday afternoon, and the former ASU men’s basketball player had just gotten out of an interview with Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak.

Perhaps one would think Pendergraph’s voice would be full of vigor in this situation. After all, he had just sat down with the architect of the NBA champions a mere two days after they claimed the Larry O’ Brien trophy.

But then you hear what Pendergraph’s hectic schedule has been like in the past couple of weeks.

Jet setting from coast-to-coast and living out of a suitcase would wear down even the most enthusiastic athlete. Not to mention the dozens of workouts and pressure-packed interviews along the way.

“I’m excited, man,” Pendergraph said. “But I’m really ready for this to be over. It’s really wearing on my body, man. It’s crazy. I’ve been all over the place. I don’t even stay in Arizona anymore.”

Such is life for an NBA prospect. Rest assured, though, it will all be over on June 25 when the association holds its annual amateur draft.

Since working out at the NBA draft combine in Chicago in the last week of May, Pendergraph has traveled to Oakland, Calif., New Orleans, Detroit, Milwaukee, Charlotte, Los Angeles and Portland before eventually wrapping it up with a trip to Cleveland and New Jersey.

Pendergraph said he hasn’t received a guarantee from any team along the way, but he would love to stay in the desert to play for the Phoenix Suns, which have the No. 14 and No. 48 overall picks.

“Anywhere would be fine right now,” Pendergraph said. “But it would be perfect to be drafted by the Suns. That would be tight.”

In between workouts, Pendergraph has spent some time with his former mentor and current ASU coach Herb Sendek. It remains to be seen how Pendergraph will be used at the next level, but he said playing for such a cerebral coach has certainly helped.

“Honestly, I think I’d fit in [with any team],” he said. “Playing for Coach Sendek, he’s got me ready to play for anybody.”

Just last week, Pendergraph visited Sendek and took a tour of the Weatherup Center, ASU’s new basketball practice facility in Tempe.

Though it’s been three months since his final college game, Pendergraph said it feels like it’s been much longer than that.

In the meantime, he’s been battling against other prospects like DeJuan Blair, Tyler Hansbrough and Dante Cunningham. He’s also been getting to meet dozens of head coaches and front-office execs and said he really connected with fellow ASU alum Byron Scott — who is now the coach of the New Orleans Hornets — and Charlotte coach Larry Brown.

Pendergraph has also spent plenty of time researching what he’ll do with that initial NBA paycheck.

“First thing I’m going to do is get myself a car,” he said. “It’s been my goal ever since I got out of school to buy this damn car. Nissan GT-R. I already know where I’m buying it from. As soon as I get it, I’m sending it off somewhere to get it super tricked out too. You don’t understand, I’ve been planning out this car thing for like three months.”

As for his former teammate James Harden, who is expected to be one of the first players selected, Pendergraph said the two haven’t spoken since the combine.

Reach the reporter at alex.espinoza@asu.edu