1 00:00:06,640 --> 00:00:09,559 Speaker 1: Happy New Year, FB, Happy new You're welcome in to 2 00:00:09,840 --> 00:00:13,760 Speaker 1: All Ball, the All Basketball Podcast. I'm so fortunate to 3 00:00:13,800 --> 00:00:16,720 Speaker 1: have met people and tell their stories or help them 4 00:00:16,720 --> 00:00:18,960 Speaker 1: tell their stories along the way. Our guest this week 5 00:00:19,040 --> 00:00:22,440 Speaker 1: is Matt Thomas. He's a guard or forward or he's 6 00:00:22,480 --> 00:00:26,480 Speaker 1: a professional shooter really right for for the Toronto Raptors. 7 00:00:27,200 --> 00:00:31,960 Speaker 1: And um I got to know him actually three through 8 00:00:32,000 --> 00:00:34,479 Speaker 1: t J. Oldsenberger, who just pulled off a massive upset 9 00:00:34,600 --> 00:00:37,479 Speaker 1: of Utah State coaching at un l V. T JS 10 00:00:38,080 --> 00:00:42,000 Speaker 1: also from Wisconsin and of course now the head coach 11 00:00:42,080 --> 00:00:43,960 Speaker 1: of UNLV, but back then was the head it was 12 00:00:44,000 --> 00:00:46,400 Speaker 1: the assistant coach of Iowa State. And he's like, man, 13 00:00:46,640 --> 00:00:48,199 Speaker 1: do you know that Matt Thomas story? Is like, no, 14 00:00:49,680 --> 00:00:52,720 Speaker 1: it's an amazing story. I'll let Matt tell some of it. UM. 15 00:00:52,760 --> 00:00:54,280 Speaker 1: For those of you who haven't read, I did a 16 00:00:54,280 --> 00:00:56,720 Speaker 1: piece on it when I was at CBS. Matt was 17 00:00:56,760 --> 00:00:59,640 Speaker 1: a kid, grew up in kind of hard scrabble Wisconsin 18 00:01:00,200 --> 00:01:03,160 Speaker 1: an't a hard scrabble whatever. Dad had some issues. Parents 19 00:01:03,200 --> 00:01:07,440 Speaker 1: got divorced when he's nine. Dad had drug and alcohol addiction. 20 00:01:08,240 --> 00:01:12,240 Speaker 1: Uh issues in and uh his dad killed himsef when 21 00:01:12,240 --> 00:01:14,440 Speaker 1: he's eleven years old, when not when his dad was 22 00:01:14,440 --> 00:01:18,480 Speaker 1: eleven when Matt was eleven years old and kind of 23 00:01:18,480 --> 00:01:21,720 Speaker 1: the village of his hometown raised him and he became 24 00:01:21,720 --> 00:01:24,680 Speaker 1: a two time All state player they want to state championship, 25 00:01:25,200 --> 00:01:27,640 Speaker 1: magnificent high school career. Goes to Iowa State to play 26 00:01:27,680 --> 00:01:31,560 Speaker 1: for Fred Hoiberg and really kind of struggled, you know, 27 00:01:31,680 --> 00:01:35,120 Speaker 1: couldn't couldn't get minutes. Um didn't seem like he had 28 00:01:35,120 --> 00:01:37,440 Speaker 1: an advocate. And even though you would think a guy 29 00:01:37,440 --> 00:01:39,319 Speaker 1: that shoots that well is that's smart and that tough. 30 00:01:40,040 --> 00:01:42,160 Speaker 1: He almost went to play for Tony Bennett at Virginia 31 00:01:42,319 --> 00:01:45,120 Speaker 1: remember Tony Bennett. Of course, I grew up in the 32 00:01:45,120 --> 00:01:47,400 Speaker 1: state of Wisconsin's dad was at Coachy u W Green Bay, 33 00:01:47,440 --> 00:01:51,520 Speaker 1: so there's some connection there. Anyway, thought about transferring and 34 00:01:51,680 --> 00:01:54,840 Speaker 1: uh boy, he's just an amazing story and amazing guy 35 00:01:54,960 --> 00:01:59,360 Speaker 1: and making it from Iowa State, going through Spain, playing 36 00:01:59,360 --> 00:02:01,639 Speaker 1: the a c B for two years and now signing 37 00:02:01,640 --> 00:02:03,840 Speaker 1: a three year deal with the Toronto Raptors. He joins 38 00:02:03,920 --> 00:02:06,320 Speaker 1: us on the All Ball podcast. Let me give you 39 00:02:06,400 --> 00:02:09,720 Speaker 1: a couple of NBA thoughts coming off of Christmas break 40 00:02:09,760 --> 00:02:12,119 Speaker 1: with the Christmas Day Games, No real break. You've seen 41 00:02:12,160 --> 00:02:15,799 Speaker 1: the reports now about Adrian or Adrian Wardowski saying Darren 42 00:02:15,840 --> 00:02:18,280 Speaker 1: Carlson is like going to come out of retirement. I 43 00:02:18,280 --> 00:02:21,760 Speaker 1: had heard that as well from a lot of people 44 00:02:21,760 --> 00:02:23,480 Speaker 1: in l A saying, you know, DC is working out 45 00:02:24,280 --> 00:02:27,960 Speaker 1: and he's interesting guy who's a tremendous player at u 46 00:02:28,000 --> 00:02:31,919 Speaker 1: C l A and he uh, he had a really 47 00:02:31,960 --> 00:02:34,840 Speaker 1: good NBA career and has made himself into a solid 48 00:02:34,880 --> 00:02:38,720 Speaker 1: starting point guard. And you know, I just he's he's 49 00:02:38,760 --> 00:02:42,880 Speaker 1: Jehovah's witness. His family and religious issues made him want 50 00:02:42,880 --> 00:02:45,160 Speaker 1: to retire early, even though he had an offer to 51 00:02:45,320 --> 00:02:48,000 Speaker 1: play for the for the Lakers with Lebron James. Well, 52 00:02:48,520 --> 00:02:51,560 Speaker 1: the Lakers still need a point guard, the Clippers need 53 00:02:51,600 --> 00:02:53,880 Speaker 1: a point guard, and Darren Carlinson would like to play 54 00:02:54,240 --> 00:02:56,720 Speaker 1: in the city of Los Angeles. I think the whole 55 00:02:56,720 --> 00:03:00,080 Speaker 1: thing is fascinating. Now. Maybe even more interesting is what 56 00:03:00,120 --> 00:03:02,720 Speaker 1: the Lakers would have to do. Would they just cut 57 00:03:02,720 --> 00:03:06,000 Speaker 1: Boogie Husins and there they'd have the roster spot, Although 58 00:03:06,040 --> 00:03:10,000 Speaker 1: that Boogie Cousins roster spot is probably reserved for Andre Gudala, 59 00:03:11,280 --> 00:03:12,720 Speaker 1: So then you have one more roster. How do you 60 00:03:12,760 --> 00:03:18,040 Speaker 1: create the other roster spot? Is it Quinn Cook or 61 00:03:18,280 --> 00:03:23,359 Speaker 1: is it Rondo? And the fascinating thing with Rondo would be, 62 00:03:23,440 --> 00:03:25,560 Speaker 1: you know, many in l A have criticized, why are 63 00:03:25,600 --> 00:03:28,440 Speaker 1: you playing Rondo so much? What about Crusoe? And obviously, 64 00:03:28,440 --> 00:03:30,200 Speaker 1: if you go back to the Christmas Day game, Caruso 65 00:03:30,320 --> 00:03:32,760 Speaker 1: didn't really look like he was ready for that level 66 00:03:32,760 --> 00:03:35,600 Speaker 1: of NBA a little too hes didn't even look at 67 00:03:35,640 --> 00:03:39,240 Speaker 1: the basket. I think I just think that's me thinking 68 00:03:39,240 --> 00:03:43,040 Speaker 1: out loud. I almost think that if the Lakers are 69 00:03:43,080 --> 00:03:46,840 Speaker 1: going to make that change, they probably make that change 70 00:03:46,920 --> 00:03:50,280 Speaker 1: and cut Rondo or trade giveaway Rondo to somebody else, 71 00:03:50,920 --> 00:03:54,200 Speaker 1: which is fascinating to go from um, a guy who's 72 00:03:54,200 --> 00:03:56,240 Speaker 1: the starting point guard of the Lakers to being cut. 73 00:03:56,280 --> 00:03:58,280 Speaker 1: But I think part of that is there is the belief, 74 00:03:59,280 --> 00:04:01,920 Speaker 1: the belief that Rondo, just at this point in his 75 00:04:02,000 --> 00:04:07,640 Speaker 1: career personality wise, can't take a subservient role. Some guys 76 00:04:07,680 --> 00:04:10,240 Speaker 1: can go from starter to five minute a game guy 77 00:04:10,520 --> 00:04:14,040 Speaker 1: wave the towel, be the world's greatest teammate. Maybe it's 78 00:04:14,080 --> 00:04:16,640 Speaker 1: because of ego, maybe it's just because of how he's wired. 79 00:04:16,880 --> 00:04:22,000 Speaker 1: I don't know. My feeling and watching is that, uh 80 00:04:22,080 --> 00:04:24,120 Speaker 1: one of the reasons that Rondo has been in in 81 00:04:24,200 --> 00:04:27,960 Speaker 1: big instances. Is Frank Vogel. I don't think he's afraid 82 00:04:28,000 --> 00:04:30,200 Speaker 1: of him. I think he's just trying to figure out 83 00:04:30,760 --> 00:04:33,040 Speaker 1: can he win with win big with Rondo, And I 84 00:04:33,080 --> 00:04:36,080 Speaker 1: think the answer is no. No matter what he's shooting 85 00:04:36,080 --> 00:04:39,599 Speaker 1: from three, Rondo can't make big shots. He doesn't. He's 86 00:04:39,640 --> 00:04:42,120 Speaker 1: never really been a great defender. He's just gotten steals, 87 00:04:42,800 --> 00:04:46,440 Speaker 1: and he doesn't finish well at the rim at all 88 00:04:46,480 --> 00:04:49,279 Speaker 1: in the last five years. This is my kind of 89 00:04:49,320 --> 00:04:53,320 Speaker 1: semi Bowl prediction. If the Lakers get Darren Carlson, I 90 00:04:53,320 --> 00:04:55,880 Speaker 1: would think they're gonna cut Gen Rondo. All right, let's 91 00:04:55,880 --> 00:04:57,479 Speaker 1: work our way to the college game before he gets 92 00:04:57,480 --> 00:05:00,360 Speaker 1: you to Matt Thomas uh in the college game. Look, 93 00:05:00,400 --> 00:05:04,200 Speaker 1: I've I do think we're starting to get some clarity 94 00:05:04,320 --> 00:05:07,040 Speaker 1: on teams. Do I think there's an incredible amount of parody. 95 00:05:07,200 --> 00:05:09,800 Speaker 1: Of course, that's why there's been so many number one 96 00:05:09,800 --> 00:05:14,280 Speaker 1: teams in the country. But I I think Gonzaga is real, 97 00:05:14,720 --> 00:05:18,679 Speaker 1: you know, um in terms of their depth of talent, 98 00:05:18,760 --> 00:05:22,200 Speaker 1: their cultural program, their ability to score. I think Gonzaga 99 00:05:22,240 --> 00:05:24,839 Speaker 1: is real and their number in the country. They do 100 00:05:24,880 --> 00:05:27,760 Speaker 1: have one loss in the season, obviously, that loss was 101 00:05:27,800 --> 00:05:30,000 Speaker 1: to Michigan and they got they got blown out and 102 00:05:30,040 --> 00:05:33,040 Speaker 1: didn't play well. And look, I don't think I don't 103 00:05:33,080 --> 00:05:36,039 Speaker 1: know if Michigan's that as good as they played that night. 104 00:05:36,960 --> 00:05:40,159 Speaker 1: You know, remember in that game, Michigan's ends up twelve 105 00:05:40,200 --> 00:05:43,440 Speaker 1: of three from three point range. Isaiah Livers just lights 106 00:05:43,480 --> 00:05:46,000 Speaker 1: them up. So you have a stretch four and Killy 107 00:05:46,040 --> 00:05:49,839 Speaker 1: until he played in that game. Um And and my 108 00:05:49,839 --> 00:05:54,599 Speaker 1: my fear with Gonzaga is that Ryan will Ridge and 109 00:05:54,640 --> 00:05:59,279 Speaker 1: Admun Gilder, who are too tremendous players, is transfers and 110 00:05:59,600 --> 00:06:01,960 Speaker 1: like Gil there's a bucket getter. I don't know how 111 00:06:02,040 --> 00:06:05,840 Speaker 1: he'll play against St. Mary's and in big, big, big games. 112 00:06:06,680 --> 00:06:08,840 Speaker 1: Same thing with wool Ridge, like he's played that none 113 00:06:08,839 --> 00:06:12,120 Speaker 1: of these Woldridge hasn't played at this level and in 114 00:06:12,240 --> 00:06:15,200 Speaker 1: super important games in March. How do those guys react. 115 00:06:15,680 --> 00:06:19,080 Speaker 1: So I do kind of fear that with their guards, 116 00:06:19,279 --> 00:06:22,320 Speaker 1: and they didn't play well in that game against that 117 00:06:22,440 --> 00:06:26,159 Speaker 1: level of competitiveness. But I think in terms of being 118 00:06:26,200 --> 00:06:27,640 Speaker 1: there for the end of the year, they just have 119 00:06:27,760 --> 00:06:31,600 Speaker 1: so much talent, so much skill. I can't see Gonzaga 120 00:06:32,120 --> 00:06:35,200 Speaker 1: going away. I think Duke's really good I just do. 121 00:06:35,279 --> 00:06:36,919 Speaker 1: And I know they lost at home to Stephen F. 122 00:06:37,000 --> 00:06:41,120 Speaker 1: Austin and Trey Jones has been hurt some. But it's 123 00:06:41,160 --> 00:06:43,880 Speaker 1: a good overall team. You can't compare it to previous 124 00:06:43,960 --> 00:06:47,800 Speaker 1: Duke teams because they don't have to play previous duke teams, right, 125 00:06:48,320 --> 00:06:50,960 Speaker 1: you just had to play this year's teams, and Caroline 126 00:06:51,000 --> 00:06:54,159 Speaker 1: obviously down, Virginia obviously down. I think Louisville is really good. 127 00:06:54,560 --> 00:06:55,920 Speaker 1: By the way, speaking of Louisville, you know I had 128 00:06:55,920 --> 00:06:57,840 Speaker 1: them as number my number one team in the country, 129 00:06:58,160 --> 00:07:01,640 Speaker 1: and and some then maybe fresh Kimball is just a 130 00:07:01,640 --> 00:07:04,080 Speaker 1: bad practice player. Maybe he was a little bit thick, 131 00:07:04,120 --> 00:07:07,600 Speaker 1: maybe he just took him I don't know, but he's 132 00:07:07,600 --> 00:07:09,600 Speaker 1: fallen back into favor. You got to hurt the end 133 00:07:09,640 --> 00:07:12,640 Speaker 1: of Kentucky game, but he's the type of really good 134 00:07:12,680 --> 00:07:16,920 Speaker 1: college guard leader that this team needs while you know 135 00:07:16,960 --> 00:07:19,880 Speaker 1: they're freshman kind of come of age. I still think 136 00:07:19,880 --> 00:07:22,000 Speaker 1: Louisville is an elague team, and I think Kentucky eas 137 00:07:22,040 --> 00:07:24,280 Speaker 1: only I mean Kansas in the league team. You know, 138 00:07:24,720 --> 00:07:29,240 Speaker 1: Kansas Bill has gone to four out one in and 139 00:07:29,560 --> 00:07:32,080 Speaker 1: I do think that he should at least tinker in 140 00:07:32,160 --> 00:07:35,920 Speaker 1: conference play with a super small lineup, Lavan playing Sylvia 141 00:07:35,920 --> 00:07:39,600 Speaker 1: to Seuss at the five maybe um and and really 142 00:07:39,640 --> 00:07:42,600 Speaker 1: opening up the floor. But they have a big man 143 00:07:42,680 --> 00:07:44,600 Speaker 1: that I don't know how many big guys are there 144 00:07:44,600 --> 00:07:46,920 Speaker 1: in college basketball, let alone a guy with that much experience. 145 00:07:47,360 --> 00:07:49,640 Speaker 1: They have a tremendous point guard and great coaching staff 146 00:07:49,680 --> 00:07:53,600 Speaker 1: and awesome culture. Of those four teams, I'd be stunted 147 00:07:53,720 --> 00:07:57,680 Speaker 1: two aren't in the final four. Hey. One thing I 148 00:07:57,680 --> 00:08:00,560 Speaker 1: always thought i'd do on this uh, on this pod 149 00:08:00,680 --> 00:08:04,480 Speaker 1: is share with you a fun story, something fun, something funny, 150 00:08:05,760 --> 00:08:08,760 Speaker 1: and uh, I don't know if I've shared this one before. 151 00:08:09,160 --> 00:08:11,240 Speaker 1: My man Gary Bell listens to this pod. He's a 152 00:08:11,280 --> 00:08:15,000 Speaker 1: former teammate at Notre Dame and so here's my here's 153 00:08:15,040 --> 00:08:19,000 Speaker 1: my story of the pod. So, uh, Gary bells from Julia, Illinois. 154 00:08:19,520 --> 00:08:23,520 Speaker 1: He was outspoken, loquacious, You're super, super funny. And one 155 00:08:23,520 --> 00:08:25,880 Speaker 1: of my favorite stories is when I was at Notre 156 00:08:25,920 --> 00:08:30,640 Speaker 1: Dame during Christmas break. Like I think many schools are 157 00:08:30,640 --> 00:08:32,440 Speaker 1: still on break and you're downloading and listen to this 158 00:08:32,520 --> 00:08:36,080 Speaker 1: pod summer back in session. Uh, instead of having the 159 00:08:36,120 --> 00:08:39,400 Speaker 1: dining hall and now everybody has training table, we used 160 00:08:39,440 --> 00:08:42,320 Speaker 1: to get money for breakfast and lunch and then at dinner, 161 00:08:43,400 --> 00:08:46,160 Speaker 1: we pick a restaurant and they pick our meal for us. 162 00:08:46,160 --> 00:08:48,719 Speaker 1: So there was like no money limit and I'll never 163 00:08:48,760 --> 00:08:53,200 Speaker 1: get this. One night I went to Outback Steakhouse, Great Road, Mishawauka, Indiana. 164 00:08:53,720 --> 00:08:55,440 Speaker 1: The way it would work, as I said, was we 165 00:08:55,440 --> 00:08:59,920 Speaker 1: would have our our entire meal pre ordered, app salad, 166 00:09:00,520 --> 00:09:04,520 Speaker 1: maybe some soup, entree, dessert. We had no say in 167 00:09:04,520 --> 00:09:09,600 Speaker 1: the matter none and um would end up happening was 168 00:09:09,679 --> 00:09:12,200 Speaker 1: we walked into the outback Steakhouse. We sit down, there's 169 00:09:12,200 --> 00:09:14,800 Speaker 1: no many, there's no nothing else, and we're all talking, 170 00:09:14,800 --> 00:09:16,640 Speaker 1: We're all drinking our drinks and they're starting to bring 171 00:09:16,679 --> 00:09:19,280 Speaker 1: out all the appetizers or eating and g Bell calls 172 00:09:19,320 --> 00:09:22,680 Speaker 1: over the waiter and said, yo, my man will be 173 00:09:22,720 --> 00:09:27,600 Speaker 1: all working for for dinner night. He's like, you know steaks, Um, 174 00:09:27,760 --> 00:09:29,880 Speaker 1: you actually can pick which way you want it cooked. 175 00:09:29,960 --> 00:09:32,760 Speaker 1: What we got for appetizers? And he tells us, you 176 00:09:32,800 --> 00:09:35,360 Speaker 1: know you got calamari, you got fries, you got fake potatoes, 177 00:09:35,360 --> 00:09:36,880 Speaker 1: you get this, you got they get the blooming onion. 178 00:09:37,679 --> 00:09:42,800 Speaker 1: What were are working for? Dessert? Brownies? Allah mode some 179 00:09:42,880 --> 00:09:46,520 Speaker 1: my man Gee Bells from Jolie, Illinois and he's you know, 180 00:09:47,440 --> 00:09:50,199 Speaker 1: he's funny, but I don't think this is intentionally funny. 181 00:09:50,200 --> 00:09:55,720 Speaker 1: It's one of my favorite stories. He said, Allah what brownies? 182 00:09:55,720 --> 00:10:00,400 Speaker 1: Ala mode? Man, I don't want to Mexican ship. Let's 183 00:10:00,400 --> 00:10:02,559 Speaker 1: get to Matt Thomas, who of course is a guard, 184 00:10:03,080 --> 00:10:07,960 Speaker 1: a wing, a shooter, a sniper for the Toronto Raptors. 185 00:10:08,040 --> 00:10:12,840 Speaker 1: Amazing personal story, one that takes us from Wisconsin to 186 00:10:12,880 --> 00:10:16,959 Speaker 1: Iowa State, to jail, all the way back to Iowa 187 00:10:17,040 --> 00:10:20,720 Speaker 1: State to the NBA. Be sure to catch the live 188 00:10:20,880 --> 00:10:23,959 Speaker 1: edition of The Doug Gottlieb Show weekdays at three p m. 189 00:10:24,040 --> 00:10:27,440 Speaker 1: Easter noon Pacific on Fox Sports Radio and the I 190 00:10:27,600 --> 00:10:30,120 Speaker 1: Heart Radio app. Matt, thanks so much for joining us 191 00:10:30,120 --> 00:10:32,600 Speaker 1: in the All Ball Podcast. Your story has been talked about, 192 00:10:32,640 --> 00:10:36,120 Speaker 1: some written about, some I think the whole thing is fascinating. 193 00:10:36,360 --> 00:10:39,920 Speaker 1: And uh, first, congratulations. What is it like to be 194 00:10:40,000 --> 00:10:43,240 Speaker 1: an NBA player? Oh? Man, it's it's it's good to 195 00:10:43,240 --> 00:10:46,679 Speaker 1: be here on the pod. But you know, it's it's 196 00:10:46,720 --> 00:10:49,040 Speaker 1: been a fun ride. You know. I uh had a 197 00:10:49,040 --> 00:10:51,240 Speaker 1: lot of ups and downs in my life and you know, 198 00:10:51,280 --> 00:10:53,840 Speaker 1: in my career. Um, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. 199 00:10:53,880 --> 00:10:55,720 Speaker 1: I wouldn't trade my past or anything, And I'm just 200 00:10:56,200 --> 00:10:58,680 Speaker 1: extremely fortunate to be in a situation I am in now. 201 00:10:59,200 --> 00:11:01,280 Speaker 1: I'm just trying to live the moment and have fun 202 00:11:01,280 --> 00:11:06,280 Speaker 1: with it. So look, you grew up in Dubuque, Iowa. 203 00:11:06,400 --> 00:11:08,320 Speaker 1: What what? What? What? What your like? So what are 204 00:11:08,320 --> 00:11:12,920 Speaker 1: your first Where's the first place you hooped in? You know, 205 00:11:13,040 --> 00:11:15,280 Speaker 1: my mom is from Dubuke, i was. I was born 206 00:11:15,320 --> 00:11:20,160 Speaker 1: in uh Decatur, Illinois. Actually I only lived there until 207 00:11:20,200 --> 00:11:23,680 Speaker 1: I was like three or four, and then the family 208 00:11:23,679 --> 00:11:27,040 Speaker 1: and I moved to uh Analaska, Wisconsin, where I grew up. 209 00:11:27,880 --> 00:11:33,760 Speaker 1: All right, so you're in Wisconsin and um um okay, 210 00:11:33,800 --> 00:11:36,959 Speaker 1: So in Analaska, Wisconsin. First memories of hoop is what 211 00:11:39,320 --> 00:11:43,680 Speaker 1: probably either outside in my backyard on like the patio 212 00:11:44,440 --> 00:11:47,760 Speaker 1: with the the basketball hoop that we had. We had 213 00:11:48,240 --> 00:11:53,040 Speaker 1: basically stole slash borrowed from our neighbors who played soccer, um, 214 00:11:53,040 --> 00:11:55,240 Speaker 1: so they didn't really use it, but there's a uh 215 00:11:55,400 --> 00:11:57,160 Speaker 1: one of those basketball hoops that you can kind of 216 00:11:57,200 --> 00:12:00,200 Speaker 1: like roll over. So we got that in our yard. Um, 217 00:12:00,240 --> 00:12:04,640 Speaker 1: either either playing out there or in um in the 218 00:12:04,679 --> 00:12:07,719 Speaker 1: house or in the basement. UM. When I was young, 219 00:12:07,800 --> 00:12:10,080 Speaker 1: we had like one of those Fisher Price hoops. So 220 00:12:10,160 --> 00:12:13,000 Speaker 1: I used to always play play on that who are 221 00:12:13,080 --> 00:12:14,800 Speaker 1: who are your Who is your neighbors that you stole 222 00:12:14,840 --> 00:12:19,720 Speaker 1: the hoop from? For the moors, they are the moors 223 00:12:19,800 --> 00:12:22,440 Speaker 1: And like I said, the big soccer family, so they 224 00:12:22,440 --> 00:12:25,920 Speaker 1: always played soccer. Um, for whatever reason, they had a 225 00:12:25,960 --> 00:12:28,280 Speaker 1: basketball hoop. But they're like, yeah, I mean once we 226 00:12:28,320 --> 00:12:30,800 Speaker 1: started playing on it, Jail, I just keep it. You know, 227 00:12:30,880 --> 00:12:34,360 Speaker 1: we don't need it. So and then I know you 228 00:12:34,360 --> 00:12:36,320 Speaker 1: you grew up shooting and hooping at the y m 229 00:12:36,360 --> 00:12:39,880 Speaker 1: c A. Right, you know, once I got a little 230 00:12:39,880 --> 00:12:41,880 Speaker 1: bit older. Yeah, the y m c A was the 231 00:12:41,920 --> 00:12:44,679 Speaker 1: place that I was always at. Um. I was always 232 00:12:44,960 --> 00:12:47,840 Speaker 1: you know the one like grabbing the calendar, like checking 233 00:12:47,880 --> 00:12:50,600 Speaker 1: the calendar online, figuring out when the when the gym 234 00:12:50,640 --> 00:12:53,400 Speaker 1: time was going to be open, or during the holidays 235 00:12:53,440 --> 00:12:55,320 Speaker 1: like making sure the gym was still open, or like 236 00:12:55,360 --> 00:12:59,520 Speaker 1: finding time when I could be there. Um. And then 237 00:12:59,559 --> 00:13:01,960 Speaker 1: you know, my mom was always good about making try 238 00:13:02,080 --> 00:13:04,600 Speaker 1: to ride ride ride to the wide two. And then 239 00:13:04,640 --> 00:13:07,960 Speaker 1: once I got old enough to dry myself. Um. The 240 00:13:07,960 --> 00:13:11,280 Speaker 1: win State was definitely a place that right developed um 241 00:13:11,320 --> 00:13:15,240 Speaker 1: and played a lot of basketball. Um. So your your 242 00:13:15,280 --> 00:13:18,520 Speaker 1: dad struggled with addiction growing up? Was it was it 243 00:13:18,600 --> 00:13:22,240 Speaker 1: just drinking or was it other stuff? So, I mean 244 00:13:22,240 --> 00:13:25,280 Speaker 1: it was it was some drugs and alcohol. Um. How 245 00:13:25,320 --> 00:13:29,040 Speaker 1: was at such a young age, um, when when everything 246 00:13:29,120 --> 00:13:31,360 Speaker 1: was going on with him struggling with those addictions, and 247 00:13:31,880 --> 00:13:34,280 Speaker 1: you know, I didn't exactly know, you know, what was 248 00:13:34,280 --> 00:13:36,160 Speaker 1: going on. I was. I mean, I didn't know anything 249 00:13:36,200 --> 00:13:39,600 Speaker 1: was going on. You know. So when he when he 250 00:13:39,640 --> 00:13:42,960 Speaker 1: took his life, I was eleven years old. Um, I 251 00:13:43,040 --> 00:13:45,000 Speaker 1: was nine when my parents got divorced, and then it 252 00:13:45,040 --> 00:13:47,200 Speaker 1: was it was two years after that when you know 253 00:13:47,280 --> 00:13:51,240 Speaker 1: when uh, when that happened, when he took his own life. Um. 254 00:13:51,720 --> 00:13:54,719 Speaker 1: So the extremely tough time in my life. And and 255 00:13:54,880 --> 00:13:57,839 Speaker 1: uh but at the same time, it's it's helped shape 256 00:13:57,880 --> 00:14:00,280 Speaker 1: me to who I am today. And it's definitely brought 257 00:14:00,280 --> 00:14:03,000 Speaker 1: our family closer together at that you know, going through 258 00:14:03,040 --> 00:14:05,720 Speaker 1: that together. Um. And like I kind of said at 259 00:14:05,760 --> 00:14:08,520 Speaker 1: the beginning, UM, you know, everything that I've I've gone 260 00:14:08,520 --> 00:14:10,840 Speaker 1: through is definitely shaped me. And I want to you know, 261 00:14:10,960 --> 00:14:14,840 Speaker 1: trade anything or trade anything. How How do how have 262 00:14:14,920 --> 00:14:17,400 Speaker 1: you processed it? Like you know, you shared the story 263 00:14:17,440 --> 00:14:20,040 Speaker 1: with me a couple of years ago. When you're playing 264 00:14:20,080 --> 00:14:23,240 Speaker 1: at Iowa state you shared the story with with a 265 00:14:23,280 --> 00:14:26,920 Speaker 1: lot of other publications, is it is it cathartic? Does 266 00:14:26,960 --> 00:14:29,360 Speaker 1: it feel like a relief to have shared it or 267 00:14:29,480 --> 00:14:31,720 Speaker 1: when you when you hear it, when people bring it 268 00:14:31,800 --> 00:14:34,160 Speaker 1: up and I apologize for for bringing it up, if 269 00:14:34,200 --> 00:14:36,640 Speaker 1: it does make you do you do you still feel 270 00:14:36,760 --> 00:14:39,920 Speaker 1: kind of the uh, the angst, the agony of what 271 00:14:40,040 --> 00:14:44,680 Speaker 1: you went through at such a young age Sometimes you know, 272 00:14:44,720 --> 00:14:47,400 Speaker 1: when you when you know it triggers some memories, you know, 273 00:14:47,520 --> 00:14:49,640 Speaker 1: talking about it and bring it up at the same time. 274 00:14:49,840 --> 00:14:53,440 Speaker 1: I like sharing. I like sharing it because I feel 275 00:14:53,440 --> 00:14:55,600 Speaker 1: like I'm in a situation now and you know, the 276 00:14:55,640 --> 00:14:58,520 Speaker 1: platform that basketball given me has you know, allowed me 277 00:14:58,560 --> 00:15:02,320 Speaker 1: to you know, you know where my story can get 278 00:15:02,320 --> 00:15:04,520 Speaker 1: out and you know, reach reach a lot of people. 279 00:15:05,080 --> 00:15:07,200 Speaker 1: Um so if you know, sharing my story can help 280 00:15:07,280 --> 00:15:09,760 Speaker 1: someone else and need or you know, people that reached 281 00:15:09,800 --> 00:15:12,600 Speaker 1: out to me with you know, with with with addictions 282 00:15:12,680 --> 00:15:15,080 Speaker 1: or them themselves have an addictions just just because they 283 00:15:15,320 --> 00:15:17,760 Speaker 1: saw my story and you know, I feel like that's 284 00:15:17,840 --> 00:15:19,360 Speaker 1: kind of what life saw about. Or you know, my 285 00:15:19,480 --> 00:15:21,720 Speaker 1: purpose is you know, to try to help others and 286 00:15:21,800 --> 00:15:23,880 Speaker 1: inspire and make an impact on others, and you know, 287 00:15:23,960 --> 00:15:26,400 Speaker 1: like I was just saying, basketball giving me that platform 288 00:15:26,440 --> 00:15:28,920 Speaker 1: to do that. So, UM, when I share my story, 289 00:15:28,920 --> 00:15:32,320 Speaker 1: it just it just uh allows people to um kind 290 00:15:32,320 --> 00:15:35,360 Speaker 1: of relate to me. It almost it almost came to 291 00:15:35,400 --> 00:15:37,600 Speaker 1: an end at Iowa State, right when you you got 292 00:15:37,680 --> 00:15:41,000 Speaker 1: a d U. I what was take me through that 293 00:15:41,120 --> 00:15:42,680 Speaker 1: night that you got to do? What do you remember 294 00:15:42,680 --> 00:15:47,080 Speaker 1: about the night you got the d U? I most 295 00:15:47,120 --> 00:15:49,480 Speaker 1: things about it. You know it was it was between 296 00:15:49,520 --> 00:15:54,480 Speaker 1: my my freshman and sophomore year. Uh they're at ia State. 297 00:15:54,520 --> 00:15:56,600 Speaker 1: It was in the summer though, UM, so I think 298 00:15:57,520 --> 00:16:00,640 Speaker 1: I was nineteen or twenty at the time. And you know, 299 00:16:00,680 --> 00:16:02,520 Speaker 1: I remember the house party that I was at when 300 00:16:02,680 --> 00:16:05,640 Speaker 1: you know, when it all went down, and you know, 301 00:16:05,680 --> 00:16:08,760 Speaker 1: I was leaving the house party and um, like I 302 00:16:08,800 --> 00:16:11,360 Speaker 1: had done you know, you know, growing up in Wisconsin 303 00:16:11,840 --> 00:16:15,520 Speaker 1: and across Wisconsin's big you know drinking, it's kind of 304 00:16:15,520 --> 00:16:19,240 Speaker 1: in the culture. Um, and and I had done it before, 305 00:16:19,320 --> 00:16:21,200 Speaker 1: you know, when you know, I just had a few 306 00:16:21,200 --> 00:16:23,440 Speaker 1: beers or had a few drinks and you know I 307 00:16:23,480 --> 00:16:28,080 Speaker 1: got behind the wheels and drove home. Um. Not to 308 00:16:28,320 --> 00:16:31,880 Speaker 1: say that it's okay by any means, UM, but yeah, 309 00:16:31,920 --> 00:16:34,080 Speaker 1: you know, my the jail I was out there, the 310 00:16:34,120 --> 00:16:35,880 Speaker 1: break let was out and I got pulled over, and 311 00:16:35,920 --> 00:16:38,200 Speaker 1: I you know, I was I was underage show, but 312 00:16:38,280 --> 00:16:42,080 Speaker 1: I blew over the legal limit anyways. And UM that 313 00:16:42,200 --> 00:16:44,240 Speaker 1: was another you know, big big point in my life 314 00:16:44,280 --> 00:16:47,120 Speaker 1: because not to say I was going down the wrong path, 315 00:16:47,280 --> 00:16:50,200 Speaker 1: but um, it definitely got me back on the path 316 00:16:50,240 --> 00:16:52,400 Speaker 1: that I wanted to be on. And it helped help 317 00:16:52,440 --> 00:16:54,800 Speaker 1: me like re prioritize what was important in my life, 318 00:16:54,800 --> 00:16:56,560 Speaker 1: you know, and that's you know, my faith, my family, 319 00:16:56,680 --> 00:17:01,840 Speaker 1: basketball and my friends. And UM again, I'm glad it 320 00:17:01,920 --> 00:17:03,560 Speaker 1: happened the way it did. I was able to learn 321 00:17:03,560 --> 00:17:06,600 Speaker 1: the way I did, um without hurting hurting anyone else 322 00:17:06,600 --> 00:17:08,800 Speaker 1: in the process and not hurting myself in the process. 323 00:17:08,800 --> 00:17:10,920 Speaker 1: And you know, I'll never never to get behind the 324 00:17:10,920 --> 00:17:14,520 Speaker 1: wheel after having alcohol again in my life. What what 325 00:17:14,760 --> 00:17:17,840 Speaker 1: changed in terms of basketball after that moment? Because if 326 00:17:17,880 --> 00:17:20,960 Speaker 1: you you go back, right, if you go back, you 327 00:17:21,080 --> 00:17:25,760 Speaker 1: had a um, you know, your first two years, you know, 328 00:17:25,800 --> 00:17:27,560 Speaker 1: you started a couple, you started half the season, your 329 00:17:27,560 --> 00:17:30,200 Speaker 1: freshman year, you didn't start your second year, and then 330 00:17:30,240 --> 00:17:33,520 Speaker 1: you're junior and senior year. Obviously, nas long getting hurt 331 00:17:33,560 --> 00:17:36,000 Speaker 1: helped you in terms of your minutes and number of shots. 332 00:17:36,320 --> 00:17:39,320 Speaker 1: But what what what changed for you in terms of basketball? 333 00:17:41,560 --> 00:17:44,480 Speaker 1: I changed, Um, you know, I just I was able 334 00:17:44,480 --> 00:17:46,000 Speaker 1: to work out more. Like I said, I kind of 335 00:17:46,040 --> 00:17:49,040 Speaker 1: repriorit prioritize what was important in my life. And I 336 00:17:49,080 --> 00:17:52,040 Speaker 1: wasn't drinking. I wasn't going out. UM. And that that's 337 00:17:52,040 --> 00:17:55,359 Speaker 1: happened after my freshman year. So it actually, you know, 338 00:17:56,080 --> 00:17:58,840 Speaker 1: right away, the results definitely didn't come because you know, 339 00:17:58,920 --> 00:18:01,000 Speaker 1: my entire sophomore year, I was in great shape. My 340 00:18:01,040 --> 00:18:03,280 Speaker 1: body felt good, I was I felt like I was good. 341 00:18:03,880 --> 00:18:06,080 Speaker 1: But because of that du I actually had, I was 342 00:18:06,080 --> 00:18:08,040 Speaker 1: suspended the first three games. We had a couple of 343 00:18:08,119 --> 00:18:11,240 Speaker 1: transfers come in who were really talented, who are eligible 344 00:18:11,240 --> 00:18:14,480 Speaker 1: to play UM, and I kind of I was kind 345 00:18:14,480 --> 00:18:17,560 Speaker 1: of in that back seat to those guys, UM because 346 00:18:17,560 --> 00:18:21,160 Speaker 1: of my suspension. Just it's you know, in in college basketball, 347 00:18:21,240 --> 00:18:23,159 Speaker 1: in any sport, you know, at the beginning of the season, 348 00:18:23,280 --> 00:18:25,920 Speaker 1: you know, roles get established really quickly, you know, and 349 00:18:26,440 --> 00:18:29,280 Speaker 1: me having to sit out those first three games, UM 350 00:18:29,640 --> 00:18:32,560 Speaker 1: for the for the suspension, kind of got me off 351 00:18:32,560 --> 00:18:36,360 Speaker 1: to a slow start. UM in my minutes, you know, fluctuity, 352 00:18:36,359 --> 00:18:39,280 Speaker 1: we're up and down. That entire year as a sophomore UM. 353 00:18:39,320 --> 00:18:41,520 Speaker 1: But like I said, I thought I had a really 354 00:18:41,520 --> 00:18:43,800 Speaker 1: good year. I developed a lot of the player UM 355 00:18:43,840 --> 00:18:46,480 Speaker 1: and a person that year as a sophomore UM. Going 356 00:18:46,560 --> 00:18:48,920 Speaker 1: through that, you know, I was going to probation classes 357 00:18:48,960 --> 00:18:51,640 Speaker 1: and doing a lot of things that I've never thought 358 00:18:51,680 --> 00:18:54,639 Speaker 1: I would I would be in a position to do. 359 00:18:54,800 --> 00:18:57,560 Speaker 1: But then it helped me once my opportunity did come 360 00:18:57,600 --> 00:19:01,600 Speaker 1: that junior season, junior two senior season, to fully take 361 00:19:01,640 --> 00:19:04,280 Speaker 1: advantage of that. UM, I believe you led the country 362 00:19:04,280 --> 00:19:08,160 Speaker 1: in free throw shooting your junior year. You shot from 363 00:19:08,160 --> 00:19:11,960 Speaker 1: the line. What what's your routine at the free throw line? 364 00:19:13,720 --> 00:19:16,800 Speaker 1: My routine now what At the time, I think it 365 00:19:16,880 --> 00:19:18,920 Speaker 1: was the same. Just one dribble. I just do one, 366 00:19:19,080 --> 00:19:22,480 Speaker 1: one rhythm dribble and let it go. UM. I try 367 00:19:22,560 --> 00:19:24,359 Speaker 1: not to overthink it, you know. I'm I know how 368 00:19:24,400 --> 00:19:25,840 Speaker 1: good of a a shooter I am. I know the work 369 00:19:25,920 --> 00:19:28,680 Speaker 1: that I put in. UM. I try to just trust 370 00:19:28,760 --> 00:19:30,960 Speaker 1: my stroke, you know, get that one rhythm dribble in 371 00:19:31,040 --> 00:19:34,920 Speaker 1: by a fly. You aim above the front of the rim, front, rim, 372 00:19:34,960 --> 00:19:37,760 Speaker 1: back rim, Like what is your Everybody says, why I 373 00:19:37,800 --> 00:19:39,480 Speaker 1: look for the back of the rim, right? But I 374 00:19:39,480 --> 00:19:42,400 Speaker 1: don't know what you when you actually and maybe now 375 00:19:42,480 --> 00:19:45,400 Speaker 1: you don't think of because you've so much muscle memory. 376 00:19:45,440 --> 00:19:47,080 Speaker 1: Is there a spot that you pick out that you 377 00:19:47,119 --> 00:19:52,240 Speaker 1: aim for. It's funny because, yeah, as a kid and 378 00:19:52,640 --> 00:19:54,800 Speaker 1: as I've got older, I've been told to do different 379 00:19:54,840 --> 00:19:57,800 Speaker 1: things that I don't necessarily do as a shooter. Um, 380 00:19:57,840 --> 00:19:59,760 Speaker 1: I've been told like, look at the back of the rim, 381 00:19:59,800 --> 00:20:02,440 Speaker 1: where I always look at the front of the rim. Um. 382 00:20:02,480 --> 00:20:05,000 Speaker 1: I've also been told never to you know, watch the 383 00:20:05,000 --> 00:20:07,520 Speaker 1: ball once it leaves your hand. And I've always when 384 00:20:07,520 --> 00:20:09,600 Speaker 1: I shoot the ball, I once it's in the air. 385 00:20:09,720 --> 00:20:11,480 Speaker 1: I watched the arc. I watched how it's fine to 386 00:20:11,520 --> 00:20:13,840 Speaker 1: the air and until it goes in. So those are 387 00:20:13,920 --> 00:20:15,840 Speaker 1: couple of things that I've just always done. And like 388 00:20:15,880 --> 00:20:18,920 Speaker 1: you said, it's all muscle memory at this point. But um, yeah, 389 00:20:18,920 --> 00:20:20,840 Speaker 1: when I'm shooting free throws, are you know, any shot 390 00:20:20,880 --> 00:20:22,760 Speaker 1: on the court, I'm always I've always been in front 391 00:20:22,760 --> 00:20:25,160 Speaker 1: of the room. Guy. That's probably probably why I'm when 392 00:20:25,200 --> 00:20:29,199 Speaker 1: I missed, I normally missed short. But um, but now 393 00:20:29,240 --> 00:20:31,359 Speaker 1: I've always been in front of the front of the room. Guy. Okay, 394 00:20:31,400 --> 00:20:34,520 Speaker 1: I mean and I and I your your story is amazing. 395 00:20:34,560 --> 00:20:37,680 Speaker 1: But I also think like the technical aspects of your 396 00:20:37,720 --> 00:20:41,399 Speaker 1: thought process as a shooter, because there is a repetition 397 00:20:41,440 --> 00:20:42,960 Speaker 1: to it, there's a work ethic to it, Like is 398 00:20:42,960 --> 00:20:45,119 Speaker 1: there a number of shots a day that you always 399 00:20:45,119 --> 00:20:47,399 Speaker 1: get up? Is there? You know what? What is what 400 00:20:47,600 --> 00:20:53,920 Speaker 1: is the routine that's built you into this unbelievable shooter. Yeah, 401 00:20:53,920 --> 00:20:56,200 Speaker 1: I mean I always get aspect to the same question 402 00:20:56,320 --> 00:20:58,120 Speaker 1: is like how many shots do you get in a day? 403 00:20:58,200 --> 00:20:59,680 Speaker 1: Or how long do you spend at the gym? And 404 00:21:00,240 --> 00:21:02,439 Speaker 1: I've never been able to answer it because like for me, 405 00:21:02,480 --> 00:21:06,119 Speaker 1: it's just it's it's uh, it's kind of just I 406 00:21:06,720 --> 00:21:09,320 Speaker 1: always i'm in the gym, and it's it's when I 407 00:21:09,359 --> 00:21:11,760 Speaker 1: feel like I've put in enough worker I feel good 408 00:21:11,760 --> 00:21:15,040 Speaker 1: about myself. Then then I leave and normally that ends 409 00:21:15,080 --> 00:21:18,520 Speaker 1: up in me sometimes overworking myself. So I've I've had 410 00:21:18,880 --> 00:21:21,399 Speaker 1: I've had to kind of find that balance. Um, as 411 00:21:21,440 --> 00:21:23,560 Speaker 1: I've got older and tried to be smart and not 412 00:21:23,560 --> 00:21:26,040 Speaker 1: not kill my kill myself or kill my body, especially 413 00:21:26,119 --> 00:21:29,560 Speaker 1: like when it's when it's the day right before the game. Um, 414 00:21:29,960 --> 00:21:32,320 Speaker 1: you gotta stay fresh. But you know, I've I've just 415 00:21:32,359 --> 00:21:34,240 Speaker 1: always been a guy like I want to I want 416 00:21:34,240 --> 00:21:35,840 Speaker 1: to make sure I get in as much work and 417 00:21:36,240 --> 00:21:40,160 Speaker 1: I need to feel good. And that's never been UM, 418 00:21:40,240 --> 00:21:42,720 Speaker 1: that's never been UM. Just like I'm gonna make ten 419 00:21:42,800 --> 00:21:44,480 Speaker 1: ten shots at this spot and then tend of this 420 00:21:44,640 --> 00:21:47,399 Speaker 1: and then when that's done, I'm out. It's always I 421 00:21:47,440 --> 00:21:50,959 Speaker 1: always normally end them to an extus stuff. Matt Thomas 422 00:21:51,040 --> 00:21:53,119 Speaker 1: is our guest in the All Ball Podcast. Let's go 423 00:21:53,160 --> 00:21:56,240 Speaker 1: back to Iowa State. Uh. In addition, you know to 424 00:21:56,880 --> 00:22:00,080 Speaker 1: what happened with your father? Uh? The O w I 425 00:22:00,400 --> 00:22:03,280 Speaker 1: which is the term for the d U I that 426 00:22:03,359 --> 00:22:06,920 Speaker 1: you got. You're suspended three games. Fred Hoiberg also left 427 00:22:07,080 --> 00:22:08,719 Speaker 1: right like you had all these other things going on, 428 00:22:09,480 --> 00:22:13,360 Speaker 1: and Steve Prohe becomes your head coach. T J Alsenburger, 429 00:22:13,400 --> 00:22:16,360 Speaker 1: He he comes back. Who Wisconsin guys now the head 430 00:22:16,359 --> 00:22:19,840 Speaker 1: coach at un l V. How did how did that work? 431 00:22:19,880 --> 00:22:22,400 Speaker 1: How did they keep you? How did you know? What 432 00:22:22,480 --> 00:22:25,119 Speaker 1: was the relationship like that kept you on track in 433 00:22:25,240 --> 00:22:27,199 Speaker 1: terms of who is your guy that you talked to 434 00:22:27,320 --> 00:22:31,320 Speaker 1: and you dealt with during your junior and senior year. Yeah, 435 00:22:31,359 --> 00:22:34,280 Speaker 1: I mean with t J coming back. You know, t 436 00:22:34,400 --> 00:22:36,200 Speaker 1: J was the guy who recruited me out of high 437 00:22:36,240 --> 00:22:38,600 Speaker 1: school who I became really close with and who I'm 438 00:22:38,600 --> 00:22:42,159 Speaker 1: still close with today. UM. And him coming back from 439 00:22:42,200 --> 00:22:45,800 Speaker 1: from Washington at the time, UM to Iowa State that 440 00:22:46,119 --> 00:22:48,959 Speaker 1: on my junior year was really big for me, UM 441 00:22:49,000 --> 00:22:51,479 Speaker 1: because in those first two years, I didn't really have 442 00:22:51,560 --> 00:22:55,520 Speaker 1: anyone in my corner, UM on the staff, you know, 443 00:22:55,640 --> 00:22:58,080 Speaker 1: and uh having t J there you know in my 444 00:22:58,160 --> 00:23:02,000 Speaker 1: corner definitely helped me my junior year just just getting 445 00:23:02,040 --> 00:23:04,080 Speaker 1: you know, getting talkable because those first two years, you know, 446 00:23:04,119 --> 00:23:07,520 Speaker 1: they worked tough on both on and off the court. UM. 447 00:23:07,560 --> 00:23:09,600 Speaker 1: And like I said, I was in a good place 448 00:23:09,640 --> 00:23:11,520 Speaker 1: with you know, with my game and my body. I 449 00:23:11,560 --> 00:23:14,000 Speaker 1: just hadn't been able to you know, Producer really had 450 00:23:14,040 --> 00:23:17,280 Speaker 1: the opportunity to produce until that UM junior senior year. 451 00:23:17,320 --> 00:23:19,560 Speaker 1: So he was he was a great you know resource 452 00:23:19,600 --> 00:23:21,879 Speaker 1: and he's been a great mentor for me UM my 453 00:23:22,080 --> 00:23:28,199 Speaker 1: entire life. Your last game your senior year was at 454 00:23:28,240 --> 00:23:34,119 Speaker 1: the Bradley Center in Milwaukee. UM. Considering everything you went through, right, 455 00:23:34,160 --> 00:23:41,040 Speaker 1: coaching changes, assistant coaching changes, your own kind of personal growth. UM, 456 00:23:41,080 --> 00:23:43,040 Speaker 1: When you close your eyes and you think back, kind 457 00:23:43,040 --> 00:23:47,560 Speaker 1: of the irony to losing and then losing in your 458 00:23:47,560 --> 00:23:50,720 Speaker 1: home state losing in Milwaukee all your family and friends, 459 00:23:50,760 --> 00:23:54,160 Speaker 1: Like is it positive memory? Like what are the memories 460 00:23:54,200 --> 00:23:56,520 Speaker 1: like of playing your last game? Like, look, everybody in 461 00:23:56,560 --> 00:23:59,440 Speaker 1: college basketballcept for one team wins loses their last game. 462 00:23:59,600 --> 00:24:02,040 Speaker 1: But some times it's the place and sometimes it's the way. 463 00:24:02,520 --> 00:24:06,680 Speaker 1: What do you remember about how it ended? It was tough. Um, 464 00:24:06,680 --> 00:24:09,960 Speaker 1: it was definitely cool though for me. Uh if I 465 00:24:09,960 --> 00:24:11,800 Speaker 1: can't remember, Yeah, that was the first time I think 466 00:24:11,800 --> 00:24:13,600 Speaker 1: in my entire career that I played back in my 467 00:24:13,640 --> 00:24:16,560 Speaker 1: home state. You know, we never played Wisconsin or Marquette 468 00:24:16,600 --> 00:24:19,000 Speaker 1: or Green Bay. I think we played in Milwaukee, but 469 00:24:19,040 --> 00:24:21,520 Speaker 1: it was it was the names. Um So that was 470 00:24:21,560 --> 00:24:23,200 Speaker 1: the first time I actually played in my home states. 471 00:24:23,280 --> 00:24:24,919 Speaker 1: It was really cool having so many friends in the 472 00:24:24,960 --> 00:24:28,800 Speaker 1: family there. Um we had a tough matchup playing against Purdue. 473 00:24:29,240 --> 00:24:32,120 Speaker 1: You know, I think our our that year, like Deante 474 00:24:32,200 --> 00:24:34,399 Speaker 1: burn was playing the five for US and he's six 475 00:24:34,440 --> 00:24:37,720 Speaker 1: five on a good day and uh perdue at Caleb 476 00:24:37,760 --> 00:24:40,720 Speaker 1: Swan again and I think Cote just to two guys 477 00:24:41,400 --> 00:24:43,200 Speaker 1: that we they just had a little bit too much 478 00:24:43,200 --> 00:24:45,879 Speaker 1: size for us to handle. Um So, the tough matchup 479 00:24:45,920 --> 00:24:48,960 Speaker 1: for US. But um, I myself remember I had I 480 00:24:49,040 --> 00:24:51,199 Speaker 1: played great that game. You know, I really gotten a 481 00:24:51,200 --> 00:24:53,320 Speaker 1: good rhythm from the beginning that I'm pretty sure you 482 00:24:53,359 --> 00:24:55,080 Speaker 1: have to check the stats, but I want to say 483 00:24:55,080 --> 00:24:56,919 Speaker 1: I was like nine for eleven, nine for twelve from 484 00:24:56,960 --> 00:24:59,600 Speaker 1: the field and had twenty points. So, um, it was 485 00:24:59,680 --> 00:25:03,439 Speaker 1: tough going out that way, especially after after having a 486 00:25:03,440 --> 00:25:06,200 Speaker 1: good game. You know, you want to keep playing, and um, 487 00:25:06,320 --> 00:25:08,360 Speaker 1: I can't remember who else had done in that bracket. 488 00:25:08,480 --> 00:25:10,080 Speaker 1: We would have played in the sweet sixth team, but 489 00:25:10,480 --> 00:25:12,040 Speaker 1: to have another game in my home state and then 490 00:25:12,040 --> 00:25:15,639 Speaker 1: potentially advanced, and it's always tough. You know, it was 491 00:25:15,680 --> 00:25:18,159 Speaker 1: tough for you know, you know that your your college 492 00:25:18,160 --> 00:25:20,440 Speaker 1: careers has come to a end, but you know, I 493 00:25:21,119 --> 00:25:23,240 Speaker 1: was confident that there was gonna be more basketball for 494 00:25:23,320 --> 00:25:25,639 Speaker 1: my future. Yeah. It's kind of interesting, right that if 495 00:25:25,640 --> 00:25:27,040 Speaker 1: you look back and by the way, you were nine 496 00:25:27,040 --> 00:25:30,119 Speaker 1: of eleven, two or four from three. Yeah, you you 497 00:25:30,240 --> 00:25:33,200 Speaker 1: only started with an offensive rebound. You also had three assists, 498 00:25:33,200 --> 00:25:36,800 Speaker 1: no turnovers, twenty points thirty seven minutes, and uh, you know, 499 00:25:36,840 --> 00:25:39,040 Speaker 1: you guys made a furious comeback in the second half 500 00:25:39,040 --> 00:25:42,280 Speaker 1: and came up a little a little bit short of Purdue. Um, 501 00:25:42,320 --> 00:25:44,199 Speaker 1: but you look back and you're starting lineup right like 502 00:25:44,240 --> 00:25:47,960 Speaker 1: Deante's in the league, nas uh nas in the league 503 00:25:47,960 --> 00:25:51,680 Speaker 1: any right, and then uh, yeah he's gonna and then 504 00:25:51,720 --> 00:25:56,720 Speaker 1: Fasers Monte Morris is in Denver Um. Yes, I mean 505 00:25:56,720 --> 00:26:00,719 Speaker 1: we have so that roster had three is. And then 506 00:26:00,800 --> 00:26:03,199 Speaker 1: I mean I played with Georgian Yang, who's with Utah 507 00:26:03,680 --> 00:26:06,440 Speaker 1: of doing Nater but those guys I was a senior 508 00:26:06,480 --> 00:26:09,120 Speaker 1: that year. Those guys were gone, but I played, Yeah, 509 00:26:09,400 --> 00:26:11,480 Speaker 1: and that's just a tribute to you know, I was 510 00:26:11,560 --> 00:26:15,320 Speaker 1: stating both both fred Orbury Anstey prone for you know, 511 00:26:15,560 --> 00:26:18,000 Speaker 1: giving us so much freedom offensively and kind of just 512 00:26:18,800 --> 00:26:21,880 Speaker 1: teaching us, um how to how to play the game 513 00:26:21,920 --> 00:26:25,800 Speaker 1: and how how you know, the way the way they 514 00:26:25,800 --> 00:26:29,159 Speaker 1: teach the game definitely translates to the NBA um and 515 00:26:29,160 --> 00:26:31,920 Speaker 1: that that's it, uh testament of that is all of 516 00:26:32,000 --> 00:26:35,280 Speaker 1: us having success right now to make level if you 517 00:26:35,320 --> 00:26:37,680 Speaker 1: were to, if you would advise a high school kid 518 00:26:37,800 --> 00:26:40,560 Speaker 1: right and obviously Iowa stay it was the place is 519 00:26:40,600 --> 00:26:43,760 Speaker 1: near and dear to your heart, how much of Because 520 00:26:43,760 --> 00:26:46,240 Speaker 1: I've had a lot of discussions with college coaches, I like, look, 521 00:26:46,520 --> 00:26:49,320 Speaker 1: the way you should separate yourself is make yourself like 522 00:26:49,359 --> 00:26:52,679 Speaker 1: an NBA program run NBA style stuff. You know, you know, 523 00:26:53,040 --> 00:26:56,080 Speaker 1: allow your guys kind of NBA style of freedom is 524 00:26:56,080 --> 00:26:59,560 Speaker 1: that is that like I think we sometimes we focus 525 00:26:59,600 --> 00:27:02,320 Speaker 1: too much on I do think that going somewhere you 526 00:27:02,359 --> 00:27:05,720 Speaker 1: can play is important, but guys focus on the wrong things, 527 00:27:05,720 --> 00:27:07,920 Speaker 1: like to me, go somewhere you can play. I agree 528 00:27:07,920 --> 00:27:09,760 Speaker 1: with you that you need to have an advocate, because 529 00:27:10,160 --> 00:27:11,960 Speaker 1: you know, if you have one guy in that coach's 530 00:27:12,000 --> 00:27:14,360 Speaker 1: office that really fights for you. But I also think 531 00:27:14,400 --> 00:27:18,240 Speaker 1: goes somewhere with the style fits you right and uh, 532 00:27:18,280 --> 00:27:20,200 Speaker 1: and then you gotta go somewhere I would say, in 533 00:27:20,200 --> 00:27:22,359 Speaker 1: which you're going to be comfortable if you're not playing 534 00:27:22,359 --> 00:27:25,720 Speaker 1: basketball in terms of proximity to home or the style 535 00:27:25,760 --> 00:27:28,240 Speaker 1: of school small town versus big city. Like if you 536 00:27:28,280 --> 00:27:30,920 Speaker 1: were gonna advise a kid on how to pick a college, 537 00:27:31,080 --> 00:27:32,720 Speaker 1: seeing as you've been through it and now you've made 538 00:27:32,720 --> 00:27:35,199 Speaker 1: your way to the NBA, what's the process you would go, 539 00:27:35,280 --> 00:27:37,760 Speaker 1: like go through now in your mid twenties as opposed 540 00:27:37,760 --> 00:27:41,399 Speaker 1: to when you're in your teens. That's man, that's a 541 00:27:41,400 --> 00:27:43,800 Speaker 1: loaded question. I think we could have a whole separate 542 00:27:43,800 --> 00:27:47,000 Speaker 1: podcast just on this topic. But um, that's the whole 543 00:27:47,200 --> 00:27:50,439 Speaker 1: purpose of this topic. You've lived. You're you're living the 544 00:27:50,520 --> 00:27:54,119 Speaker 1: life that every every white kid in the Midwest dreams of. 545 00:27:54,280 --> 00:27:57,800 Speaker 1: Right and so right, so so and and sometimes you 546 00:27:57,840 --> 00:27:59,840 Speaker 1: do overthink it. Right like when I went to Notre Dame, 547 00:28:00,359 --> 00:28:02,600 Speaker 1: I thought, well, John Mclouds and we thought John McCloud, 548 00:28:02,680 --> 00:28:04,560 Speaker 1: NBA coach, I get to play right away Notre Dames 549 00:28:04,560 --> 00:28:06,840 Speaker 1: on TV. And what we didn't pay enough attention to 550 00:28:07,080 --> 00:28:09,080 Speaker 1: was kind of like style of play, Like, yeah, he'd 551 00:28:09,080 --> 00:28:12,720 Speaker 1: coach Mark Jackson and and had you know, had had 552 00:28:12,760 --> 00:28:15,359 Speaker 1: success at two point guards with the Knicks, but he 553 00:28:15,400 --> 00:28:18,000 Speaker 1: didn't have necessarily a point guard like me, and he 554 00:28:18,040 --> 00:28:19,959 Speaker 1: didn't really have he wasn't even though he was an 555 00:28:20,000 --> 00:28:22,679 Speaker 1: NBA coach. It wasn't he it was it was a 556 00:28:22,720 --> 00:28:26,720 Speaker 1: weird fit, you know. Um, yeah, for sure, it's it's 557 00:28:26,760 --> 00:28:31,200 Speaker 1: interesting because yeah, but at the same time, so because 558 00:28:31,240 --> 00:28:33,080 Speaker 1: I always stay for for us, that I would stayed 559 00:28:33,160 --> 00:28:36,840 Speaker 1: like that's we had so much freedom that that also 560 00:28:36,920 --> 00:28:38,760 Speaker 1: kind of took away from some of the success I 561 00:28:38,800 --> 00:28:41,000 Speaker 1: think we could have had the team in college, because 562 00:28:41,160 --> 00:28:44,600 Speaker 1: it got to the point where sometimes guys abused the freedom. 563 00:28:44,640 --> 00:28:46,520 Speaker 1: And that's the thing that some of the great college 564 00:28:46,520 --> 00:28:49,360 Speaker 1: teams and the teams that usually went like national championships. 565 00:28:49,640 --> 00:28:52,280 Speaker 1: They're very, very disciplined, and they take care of the ball. 566 00:28:52,320 --> 00:28:53,800 Speaker 1: They don't turn it over. I mean, you look at 567 00:28:53,800 --> 00:28:57,160 Speaker 1: a team like Virginia last year, UM, and you look 568 00:28:57,200 --> 00:28:59,880 Speaker 1: at Virginia two. They're they're able to translate good pros 569 00:29:00,000 --> 00:29:02,920 Speaker 1: at the same time, UM, while also winning in college 570 00:29:02,960 --> 00:29:06,000 Speaker 1: where there's like there's other programs that have had success, 571 00:29:06,160 --> 00:29:09,880 Speaker 1: UM with maybe similar styles that that haven't you know, 572 00:29:10,120 --> 00:29:14,680 Speaker 1: necessarily turned out pro like goods. I'm saying NBA players 573 00:29:14,800 --> 00:29:17,400 Speaker 1: where I mean a lot of you can have. I mean, 574 00:29:17,400 --> 00:29:19,000 Speaker 1: I'll be the first to say you can go to 575 00:29:19,280 --> 00:29:21,080 Speaker 1: and have a great career, in a great life playing 576 00:29:21,080 --> 00:29:22,440 Speaker 1: in Europe. You know, that's what I was doing my 577 00:29:22,480 --> 00:29:25,840 Speaker 1: first two years. But specifically translating to the n b A, 578 00:29:25,920 --> 00:29:28,560 Speaker 1: I think, Um, you look at school like Kentucky, I 579 00:29:28,560 --> 00:29:32,640 Speaker 1: mean like Caliperry. He he's open about it, He's obviously 580 00:29:32,680 --> 00:29:35,320 Speaker 1: he wants to win, but his first priority is getting 581 00:29:35,320 --> 00:29:38,000 Speaker 1: these guys to the NBA, where I don't think that's 582 00:29:38,040 --> 00:29:41,960 Speaker 1: necessarily every college you know, every coach's goal, you know, 583 00:29:42,000 --> 00:29:44,640 Speaker 1: they're trying to win a national title. Where cal Perry 584 00:29:44,720 --> 00:29:46,720 Speaker 1: is literally just trying to get guys, you know, to 585 00:29:46,800 --> 00:29:49,680 Speaker 1: the NBA, and and he's been doing that every single year. 586 00:29:50,240 --> 00:29:52,840 Speaker 1: So it's it's an interesting topic man, And I think, 587 00:29:52,880 --> 00:29:54,400 Speaker 1: like you said, we could sit and talk about it 588 00:29:54,400 --> 00:29:55,960 Speaker 1: for a while. No, I want to sit and talk 589 00:29:55,960 --> 00:29:57,280 Speaker 1: about it for a while, if you. I mean, like 590 00:29:57,640 --> 00:30:00,480 Speaker 1: even the Calipari stuff like he runs floppy but he's 591 00:30:00,520 --> 00:30:03,320 Speaker 1: not running some of the pistol stuff like he's not 592 00:30:03,560 --> 00:30:05,440 Speaker 1: and I'm I'm just and some of it is you know, 593 00:30:05,480 --> 00:30:08,040 Speaker 1: you can't run stuff for shooting biggs when you don't 594 00:30:08,040 --> 00:30:11,160 Speaker 1: have shooting bigs. Um, yeah, you gotta have the personnel. 595 00:30:11,360 --> 00:30:13,840 Speaker 1: You gotta have the personnel for sure. Yeah. Whereas I 596 00:30:13,880 --> 00:30:17,120 Speaker 1: think I think, you know, Villanova, I think guys are 597 00:30:17,160 --> 00:30:20,360 Speaker 1: getting draft out of Villanova, not necessarily because they're of 598 00:30:20,400 --> 00:30:22,800 Speaker 1: the stuff they're running, right, they run just a lot 599 00:30:22,800 --> 00:30:24,200 Speaker 1: of they run like five things, like a lot of 600 00:30:24,280 --> 00:30:27,880 Speaker 1: roles and replace. But I think it's the culture there, right, 601 00:30:27,960 --> 00:30:31,160 Speaker 1: those guys get better. Those guys, you know, they're unbelievable 602 00:30:31,160 --> 00:30:34,080 Speaker 1: with their jump stops and they're passing and their level 603 00:30:34,120 --> 00:30:37,080 Speaker 1: of toughness defensively, Like, I think those guys get drafted 604 00:30:37,080 --> 00:30:40,240 Speaker 1: based upon their culture more than their actual skill. That 605 00:30:40,280 --> 00:30:42,680 Speaker 1: plays the factor too. I mean you go look at Villanova. Yeah, 606 00:30:42,680 --> 00:30:45,360 Speaker 1: they just they have guards coming out of there every 607 00:30:45,440 --> 00:30:48,560 Speaker 1: every year. Now. Um, and like you said, there, if 608 00:30:48,600 --> 00:30:51,880 Speaker 1: you you teach the fundamentals and everything, like an NBA 609 00:30:51,960 --> 00:30:54,960 Speaker 1: GM knows what you're getting when you draft the guy 610 00:30:54,960 --> 00:30:59,600 Speaker 1: out of Villanova almost so to speak, um, but yeah, 611 00:30:58,880 --> 00:31:02,239 Speaker 1: it's just seen. It definitely is interesting because and then 612 00:31:02,240 --> 00:31:04,480 Speaker 1: you're talking about Nova two they might run five things, 613 00:31:04,480 --> 00:31:07,200 Speaker 1: but you look at the NBA there, it's no secret 614 00:31:07,200 --> 00:31:09,320 Speaker 1: every every team is running the same stuff. You know, 615 00:31:09,360 --> 00:31:11,360 Speaker 1: you know what teams are gonna go like run. You 616 00:31:11,440 --> 00:31:13,160 Speaker 1: just it's just a matter of if you're able to 617 00:31:13,200 --> 00:31:15,160 Speaker 1: guard it or you're able to you know, to make 618 00:31:15,160 --> 00:31:17,280 Speaker 1: your mis league most you know you're gonna get You're 619 00:31:17,280 --> 00:31:19,640 Speaker 1: gonna get your what you want. It's just a matter 620 00:31:19,680 --> 00:31:22,080 Speaker 1: of can you guard it well enough to make them miss? 621 00:31:22,160 --> 00:31:27,440 Speaker 1: You know? Uh? Okay, So you finish up playing and 622 00:31:27,600 --> 00:31:30,320 Speaker 1: what was you get back to two aimes you're packing 623 00:31:30,400 --> 00:31:33,080 Speaker 1: up your stuff. Did you meet with Prone? Did you 624 00:31:33,120 --> 00:31:35,080 Speaker 1: meet with t J? Like? How did it work in 625 00:31:35,160 --> 00:31:37,440 Speaker 1: terms of trying to figure out who's going to be 626 00:31:37,480 --> 00:31:41,880 Speaker 1: my agent? And what what am I gonna do. Yeah, 627 00:31:42,880 --> 00:31:45,320 Speaker 1: you know, Prome definitely, you know, you know, met with 628 00:31:45,360 --> 00:31:47,000 Speaker 1: him after this season, just in the end of the 629 00:31:47,080 --> 00:31:49,400 Speaker 1: year type stuff, you know, and he's been good about 630 00:31:49,440 --> 00:31:51,680 Speaker 1: trying to stay in touch and we're doing uh, we're 631 00:31:51,680 --> 00:31:55,760 Speaker 1: do an alumni uh event every every summer. And actually 632 00:31:55,840 --> 00:31:57,640 Speaker 1: last year was the first, the first year that I 633 00:31:57,720 --> 00:31:59,360 Speaker 1: was able to make it. It was tough, you know 634 00:31:59,360 --> 00:32:01,360 Speaker 1: when I was playing in Spain because our summers were 635 00:32:01,400 --> 00:32:04,600 Speaker 1: so short. Um. But but he's been great at like 636 00:32:04,840 --> 00:32:10,040 Speaker 1: keeping us as as alumni connected to the organization. But UM, 637 00:32:10,200 --> 00:32:12,560 Speaker 1: back when I was just senior, right after you know, 638 00:32:12,560 --> 00:32:15,000 Speaker 1: that Purdue game and then trying to think about the 639 00:32:15,040 --> 00:32:16,680 Speaker 1: next step. You know, t J was a guy that 640 00:32:16,760 --> 00:32:18,600 Speaker 1: I you know, like I said, was has been a 641 00:32:18,600 --> 00:32:20,680 Speaker 1: mentor for me my whole life. And you know that 642 00:32:20,760 --> 00:32:22,800 Speaker 1: was that was a guy that connected me with you know, 643 00:32:22,880 --> 00:32:26,440 Speaker 1: my my agent, um, um, Alex Rotis, and I met 644 00:32:26,480 --> 00:32:29,160 Speaker 1: with him, and UM, I just felt like him and 645 00:32:29,200 --> 00:32:32,960 Speaker 1: I really connected and shared a pretty similar vision um 646 00:32:33,000 --> 00:32:36,160 Speaker 1: for my my career. And um that I decided, you 647 00:32:36,200 --> 00:32:39,000 Speaker 1: know to sign with him, and UM, I think that 648 00:32:39,080 --> 00:32:43,280 Speaker 1: was a huge, huge decision and a good decision. You 649 00:32:43,320 --> 00:32:45,880 Speaker 1: know that I made it. Um, I'm very fortunate that 650 00:32:45,880 --> 00:32:49,920 Speaker 1: I'm come with him and um right now. You know, 651 00:32:49,960 --> 00:32:52,800 Speaker 1: it's it's funny because he actually said in my living 652 00:32:52,840 --> 00:32:55,560 Speaker 1: room and kind of said to me like like, right now, 653 00:32:55,680 --> 00:32:57,640 Speaker 1: is probably not realistic for you to play in the NBA. 654 00:32:57,720 --> 00:32:59,760 Speaker 1: But I think in two to three years there's no 655 00:33:00,040 --> 00:33:02,120 Speaker 1: and why you can't you know, And it's funny that, 656 00:33:02,840 --> 00:33:05,800 Speaker 1: you know, that's basically came to fruition. You know, two 657 00:33:05,880 --> 00:33:08,800 Speaker 1: years later now you know, playing with the Raptors. All right, 658 00:33:08,880 --> 00:33:10,520 Speaker 1: So you but you play with the Lakers in the 659 00:33:10,520 --> 00:33:13,120 Speaker 1: summer League the first year and you played pretty well, 660 00:33:13,760 --> 00:33:15,880 Speaker 1: did you? Did you? What was what was that like 661 00:33:15,960 --> 00:33:17,680 Speaker 1: in terms of your thoughts on whether or not you 662 00:33:17,720 --> 00:33:19,520 Speaker 1: were gonna, you know, get an invite or get a 663 00:33:19,520 --> 00:33:23,440 Speaker 1: contract to stay there. Yeah? No, I mean the way 664 00:33:24,080 --> 00:33:27,320 Speaker 1: it's interesting the way it all went down because you know, yeah, 665 00:33:27,440 --> 00:33:29,480 Speaker 1: I was playing some LEA with the Lakers. You know, 666 00:33:29,480 --> 00:33:32,280 Speaker 1: our first I want to say, the first two games, 667 00:33:32,320 --> 00:33:35,600 Speaker 1: first three games, I didn't play much. You know they 668 00:33:35,640 --> 00:33:39,720 Speaker 1: had that now was the year they drafted Um, Kyle 669 00:33:39,840 --> 00:33:43,520 Speaker 1: kuz Milonzo ball Um, Josh Hart. There's another Villainova guy, 670 00:33:44,040 --> 00:33:49,000 Speaker 1: Josh Hard Um and Uh, like Brandon Ingram was was 671 00:33:49,000 --> 00:33:51,760 Speaker 1: playing with the Summer League team and they they were 672 00:33:51,800 --> 00:33:54,240 Speaker 1: we were loaded, you know, and um, a few of 673 00:33:54,240 --> 00:33:57,239 Speaker 1: those guys got had minor injuries, so they ended up 674 00:33:57,240 --> 00:33:59,760 Speaker 1: sitting out like after two or three games and all 675 00:33:59,840 --> 00:34:03,080 Speaker 1: the then I'm starting, um with one of their current 676 00:34:03,080 --> 00:34:07,640 Speaker 1: players right now, to Alex Caruso him myself. Um, zu bitch, 677 00:34:07,640 --> 00:34:11,200 Speaker 1: who's out with the Clippers? I think Kuzmo. Yeah, Kuzma 678 00:34:11,239 --> 00:34:13,680 Speaker 1: was still playing, and then Travis Ware Actually that was 679 00:34:13,719 --> 00:34:17,480 Speaker 1: like our starting five, and um yeah there was like 680 00:34:17,719 --> 00:34:20,560 Speaker 1: last you know, five six seven games of Summer League. 681 00:34:20,640 --> 00:34:23,200 Speaker 1: I was starting and playing big minutes and just shot 682 00:34:23,080 --> 00:34:25,440 Speaker 1: at extremely well. I probably shot sixty from three and 683 00:34:25,480 --> 00:34:28,200 Speaker 1: in the Summer League. So I was hopeful. This was 684 00:34:28,239 --> 00:34:29,759 Speaker 1: one of the first years I think they had the 685 00:34:29,760 --> 00:34:32,719 Speaker 1: two way contract with the NBA and the G League, 686 00:34:32,760 --> 00:34:35,120 Speaker 1: so I was I was hopeful and optimistic that the 687 00:34:35,200 --> 00:34:38,799 Speaker 1: Lakers would would, uh would offer, you know, offer that 688 00:34:38,840 --> 00:34:41,520 Speaker 1: to me, given you know, how I played, and um, 689 00:34:41,600 --> 00:34:43,840 Speaker 1: just how my game translates to the NBA, you know, 690 00:34:43,840 --> 00:34:46,520 Speaker 1: being able to shoot it so well. Um, but it 691 00:34:46,560 --> 00:34:49,560 Speaker 1: didn't come in. Uh, you know, I didn't want to 692 00:34:49,560 --> 00:34:52,080 Speaker 1: do just a G League. You know, like an exivin 693 00:34:52,120 --> 00:34:54,000 Speaker 1: ten where you go to go to training camp and 694 00:34:54,320 --> 00:34:56,080 Speaker 1: get cut and then you're kind of it kind of 695 00:34:56,080 --> 00:34:58,479 Speaker 1: holds your right to play solely in the G League. 696 00:34:58,560 --> 00:35:01,479 Speaker 1: I I felt like I would develop more as as 697 00:35:01,520 --> 00:35:05,080 Speaker 1: a player in person, you know, um playing in Spain 698 00:35:05,640 --> 00:35:07,800 Speaker 1: and that's why you know, I like to get to 699 00:35:08,160 --> 00:35:13,800 Speaker 1: make that decision. Okay, So do you remember the conversation 700 00:35:14,080 --> 00:35:19,520 Speaker 1: you had, because I think uh Magic and Rob Polinka 701 00:35:19,600 --> 00:35:22,560 Speaker 1: were running the team. Then did Rob call you in? 702 00:35:22,680 --> 00:35:24,719 Speaker 1: Did because I, like I was with I played in 703 00:35:24,719 --> 00:35:28,400 Speaker 1: Summer League with the Lakers. I went to their uh 704 00:35:28,480 --> 00:35:30,440 Speaker 1: one of their a couple of the three of their 705 00:35:30,480 --> 00:35:33,120 Speaker 1: free agent camps, but never to their VET camp. Like 706 00:35:33,400 --> 00:35:35,080 Speaker 1: you get down with summer league, they call you in 707 00:35:35,120 --> 00:35:36,560 Speaker 1: and say you should go to the G League? Did 708 00:35:36,560 --> 00:35:40,959 Speaker 1: they advise you? How did it? How did it go down? No? Man, 709 00:35:41,080 --> 00:35:42,960 Speaker 1: it all kind of just happened to your age. And 710 00:35:43,040 --> 00:35:45,240 Speaker 1: you know, so we were in Summer League in Vegas, 711 00:35:45,239 --> 00:35:47,040 Speaker 1: and you know, I went home back to Wisconsin and 712 00:35:47,080 --> 00:35:50,279 Speaker 1: then you know, just got it. I didn't have any 713 00:35:50,360 --> 00:35:54,360 Speaker 1: like direct communication with with Robert Magic, you know obviously 714 00:35:54,400 --> 00:35:56,800 Speaker 1: you know I met them in person, obviously, but nothing no, 715 00:35:57,000 --> 00:36:00,440 Speaker 1: like nothing like business or or you know that or 716 00:36:00,480 --> 00:36:03,799 Speaker 1: you know what what my future could entail, you know, 717 00:36:03,880 --> 00:36:06,040 Speaker 1: with their organization. You know, that was all just through 718 00:36:06,560 --> 00:36:09,040 Speaker 1: through my agent, Alex And like I had said, you know, 719 00:36:09,120 --> 00:36:12,319 Speaker 1: they they offered you know, a training camp deal where 720 00:36:12,320 --> 00:36:14,120 Speaker 1: I could try to camp and then you know, they 721 00:36:14,160 --> 00:36:16,800 Speaker 1: would uh hold my rights you know, to play in 722 00:36:16,840 --> 00:36:19,600 Speaker 1: their G League team. Um. It's called like an Exhibit 723 00:36:19,640 --> 00:36:22,880 Speaker 1: ten type of contract. And like I said, I just 724 00:36:22,920 --> 00:36:25,759 Speaker 1: thought for me to develop as a player and also 725 00:36:25,800 --> 00:36:29,239 Speaker 1: a person, you know. Um, to that point it was 726 00:36:29,360 --> 00:36:31,560 Speaker 1: like a player in person. I'm saying, to go to 727 00:36:31,600 --> 00:36:37,319 Speaker 1: Spain and and developed because to that point, um, necessary, Yeah, 728 00:36:37,320 --> 00:36:39,560 Speaker 1: I hadn't. That's necessarily left my comfort zone. You know, 729 00:36:39,640 --> 00:36:43,400 Speaker 1: coming out of high school, I I was strongly considering 730 00:36:43,480 --> 00:36:47,920 Speaker 1: going in and playing for Tony Bennett you know at Virginia. Um. 731 00:36:48,040 --> 00:36:50,359 Speaker 1: But but the distance was actually one of the things 732 00:36:50,400 --> 00:36:52,319 Speaker 1: that kind of held me back. I wanted to stay 733 00:36:52,400 --> 00:36:55,759 Speaker 1: close enough to home where my you know, my friends 734 00:36:55,800 --> 00:36:57,719 Speaker 1: and family were able to see me play. You know, 735 00:36:57,760 --> 00:37:01,239 Speaker 1: that was important to me. Um. But it was an 736 00:37:01,239 --> 00:37:03,080 Speaker 1: opportunity for me to kind of get out of my 737 00:37:03,120 --> 00:37:06,000 Speaker 1: comfort zone. You know, like you said, leave the Midwest. Um, 738 00:37:06,040 --> 00:37:08,520 Speaker 1: I feel like you know, as I've got older, I've 739 00:37:08,600 --> 00:37:11,000 Speaker 1: i've I feel like you can. You can really only 740 00:37:11,040 --> 00:37:13,640 Speaker 1: grow grow as a person when you put yourself in 741 00:37:13,719 --> 00:37:15,680 Speaker 1: situations to kind of get out of your comfort zone 742 00:37:15,680 --> 00:37:17,480 Speaker 1: and you can get out of your your you know 743 00:37:17,920 --> 00:37:20,120 Speaker 1: them the lane, your lane, I guess you could say. 744 00:37:20,160 --> 00:37:23,080 Speaker 1: And um, that's why I felt like it was a 745 00:37:23,080 --> 00:37:25,400 Speaker 1: better opportunity to get to go to Spain and developed 746 00:37:25,440 --> 00:37:27,680 Speaker 1: the person. But just the style of play in the 747 00:37:27,719 --> 00:37:30,319 Speaker 1: game and in the role that I was gonna be. Um, 748 00:37:30,560 --> 00:37:32,879 Speaker 1: getting myself into it on the team that that had 749 00:37:32,880 --> 00:37:35,480 Speaker 1: offered me a contract in Spain was the perfect situation 750 00:37:35,560 --> 00:37:38,319 Speaker 1: for Alright, So what was the team and what do 751 00:37:38,320 --> 00:37:41,960 Speaker 1: you remember about the first trip there? The team is 752 00:37:42,239 --> 00:37:45,440 Speaker 1: uh it's called is over Dorio. Uh's in Santiago to 753 00:37:45,520 --> 00:37:49,239 Speaker 1: Cumpra Stella Spain. Um. When I first heard about it, 754 00:37:49,280 --> 00:37:53,320 Speaker 1: and I knew nothing about the team, nothing about the league. Um. 755 00:37:53,360 --> 00:37:56,440 Speaker 1: It's funny though I actually did go to to Spain. 756 00:37:56,520 --> 00:37:58,759 Speaker 1: That's where I went on my foreign tour while I 757 00:37:58,840 --> 00:38:01,880 Speaker 1: was at Iowa State and was that was also right 758 00:38:01,880 --> 00:38:04,960 Speaker 1: in between my my my sophomore and junior year. So 759 00:38:05,000 --> 00:38:07,120 Speaker 1: we talked about you know that summer with t J 760 00:38:07,280 --> 00:38:10,160 Speaker 1: coming back, we had that foreign tour, that those were 761 00:38:10,160 --> 00:38:14,040 Speaker 1: all big, big, big reasons. You know I was able 762 00:38:14,080 --> 00:38:16,600 Speaker 1: to kind of shift years and have such success my 763 00:38:16,680 --> 00:38:18,759 Speaker 1: junior senior year. It was, you know, this foreign tour 764 00:38:18,880 --> 00:38:21,719 Speaker 1: right before UM was a good opportunity for me UM 765 00:38:21,760 --> 00:38:24,200 Speaker 1: as well back in college. But I had I had 766 00:38:24,239 --> 00:38:26,879 Speaker 1: a little experience, you know, being in Spain, just because 767 00:38:26,920 --> 00:38:29,720 Speaker 1: I had visited those cities when we went into college. 768 00:38:29,760 --> 00:38:33,160 Speaker 1: We were in the Drid, Barcelona, and Valencia and then UM. 769 00:38:33,440 --> 00:38:35,839 Speaker 1: Valencia is actually the team I played with my second year, 770 00:38:35,880 --> 00:38:38,320 Speaker 1: but that first year in Spain, I was in in 771 00:38:38,400 --> 00:38:42,839 Speaker 1: over Doorrio and UM my first trip UM Man. Once 772 00:38:42,880 --> 00:38:44,640 Speaker 1: I got there, it's just kind of the culture shock, 773 00:38:44,760 --> 00:38:46,799 Speaker 1: you know. I remember then the first time I went 774 00:38:46,800 --> 00:38:48,520 Speaker 1: to the grocery store, I was probably there for like 775 00:38:48,560 --> 00:38:50,680 Speaker 1: two hours just trying to get like ten things. It's 776 00:38:50,719 --> 00:38:53,719 Speaker 1: just I'm on Doogle Translate, trying to ask questions and 777 00:38:54,280 --> 00:38:57,960 Speaker 1: you know, UM, definitely definitely out of my comfort zone. 778 00:38:58,000 --> 00:39:00,439 Speaker 1: Like I was saying that, UM, like when you showed 779 00:39:00,520 --> 00:39:04,200 Speaker 1: up like like at the airport, UM, Yeah, Okay, at 780 00:39:04,200 --> 00:39:08,239 Speaker 1: the airport you fly inywhere like Madrid and then connected Uh. Yeah, 781 00:39:08,239 --> 00:39:11,120 Speaker 1: I went to Chicago, Chicago, Madrid, yeah, and then connected 782 00:39:11,440 --> 00:39:14,399 Speaker 1: um and then yet um Santiago. It's a smaller city 783 00:39:14,440 --> 00:39:17,279 Speaker 1: and like uh, it's in the northwest of Spain. Um. 784 00:39:17,400 --> 00:39:19,640 Speaker 1: I would compare it to like they called they get 785 00:39:19,719 --> 00:39:22,520 Speaker 1: rained quite a bit, you know, no snow um, which 786 00:39:22,600 --> 00:39:25,040 Speaker 1: was nice, but it rained quite a bit, gets a 787 00:39:25,040 --> 00:39:29,239 Speaker 1: little cold, you know on the winter months. So you 788 00:39:29,280 --> 00:39:31,320 Speaker 1: show up the airport, people speak English or because like 789 00:39:31,360 --> 00:39:33,560 Speaker 1: when I was in Russia and nobody spent smoke English. 790 00:39:34,160 --> 00:39:35,920 Speaker 1: But but it's different in that part of Spain. Feels 791 00:39:35,920 --> 00:39:40,719 Speaker 1: like a lot of people spoke English. Yeah. Different definitely, Um, 792 00:39:40,840 --> 00:39:44,080 Speaker 1: definitely the bigger cities, you know, Madrid, like those those cities, 793 00:39:44,120 --> 00:39:46,120 Speaker 1: there's a lot more in English. There's still there were 794 00:39:46,160 --> 00:39:49,760 Speaker 1: still some English, um being spoken, and like within the team, 795 00:39:49,800 --> 00:39:52,120 Speaker 1: and you know, my my coach you know, did his 796 00:39:52,239 --> 00:39:55,040 Speaker 1: best to speak English, and and I got pretty pretty 797 00:39:55,040 --> 00:39:58,080 Speaker 1: familiar with like European you know, broken English. You know, 798 00:39:58,200 --> 00:40:01,399 Speaker 1: I can I can understand it. Um. I mean they're 799 00:40:01,640 --> 00:40:04,200 Speaker 1: they're English is much better than my Spanish. So we 800 00:40:04,400 --> 00:40:06,839 Speaker 1: usually elected to just try to speak English, you know, 801 00:40:06,960 --> 00:40:09,080 Speaker 1: and that was nice, but when I was out in 802 00:40:09,160 --> 00:40:12,000 Speaker 1: public is where it'd be a little bit harder. Um 803 00:40:12,480 --> 00:40:15,239 Speaker 1: where you know, I eventually over time learned you know, 804 00:40:15,320 --> 00:40:16,840 Speaker 1: learned a little bit of Spanish from me, but that 805 00:40:16,920 --> 00:40:19,799 Speaker 1: I was able to get by social studies and you know, 806 00:40:19,880 --> 00:40:23,640 Speaker 1: red restaurants and when I'm at the supermarketer at the mall. Um. 807 00:40:24,400 --> 00:40:30,200 Speaker 1: But yeah, right away I remember there. Um. Okay, so 808 00:40:30,200 --> 00:40:33,480 Speaker 1: so you start playing like did you know right away 809 00:40:33,560 --> 00:40:35,680 Speaker 1: you fitling like they're in LEGA, A, C B. What 810 00:40:35,719 --> 00:40:41,239 Speaker 1: was the level of competition, Like it's extremely competitive. Um. 811 00:40:41,480 --> 00:40:43,120 Speaker 1: Like I said when I when I got there, I 812 00:40:43,200 --> 00:40:45,759 Speaker 1: knew kind of what role to that. I actually had 813 00:40:45,840 --> 00:40:48,600 Speaker 1: met with the coaches that with the coach, the head coach, 814 00:40:48,680 --> 00:40:51,880 Speaker 1: and the GM of this club while I was in Vegas. 815 00:40:51,920 --> 00:40:53,960 Speaker 1: They saw me in Vegas and that's when they started 816 00:40:53,960 --> 00:40:56,680 Speaker 1: to show interest and they offered me the contract. So 817 00:40:56,719 --> 00:40:58,759 Speaker 1: I was able to sit down with them and they 818 00:40:58,840 --> 00:41:01,480 Speaker 1: kind of shared their vision um with me and like 819 00:41:01,760 --> 00:41:04,120 Speaker 1: the role that they felt like I could have within 820 00:41:04,160 --> 00:41:07,280 Speaker 1: the team. Um. You know, So all that happened before 821 00:41:07,280 --> 00:41:09,720 Speaker 1: I got there. That also helped me with my decision 822 00:41:09,760 --> 00:41:11,880 Speaker 1: to to to go over there. Just being able to 823 00:41:11,880 --> 00:41:13,880 Speaker 1: meet them to place and kind of I kind of 824 00:41:13,920 --> 00:41:16,800 Speaker 1: knew what I was getting myself into a little bit. Um. 825 00:41:17,560 --> 00:41:20,239 Speaker 1: But but the the league is great. I mean the 826 00:41:20,320 --> 00:41:23,359 Speaker 1: league is extremely competitive, I'll say that. And um, there's 827 00:41:23,400 --> 00:41:26,240 Speaker 1: a lot of really good players and the teams compete. 828 00:41:26,320 --> 00:41:29,480 Speaker 1: The coaching is great. Um. Like I said, I feel 829 00:41:29,520 --> 00:41:31,640 Speaker 1: like I developed. I really developed, you know in my 830 00:41:31,760 --> 00:41:34,800 Speaker 1: time there. Um, I learned a lot and um I 831 00:41:35,360 --> 00:41:37,480 Speaker 1: got a lot better as a player. Your second year 832 00:41:37,520 --> 00:41:40,840 Speaker 1: you go to Valencia, What what was what what's the 833 00:41:40,880 --> 00:41:44,000 Speaker 1: transition like? Because but I don't I don't know if people, 834 00:41:44,080 --> 00:41:46,080 Speaker 1: I mean, like, look hoop guys, they understand that's a 835 00:41:46,160 --> 00:41:49,919 Speaker 1: huge club. But what was the biggest difference in terms 836 00:41:50,000 --> 00:41:53,200 Speaker 1: of you know, going from Rio Natra uh to go 837 00:41:53,239 --> 00:41:57,080 Speaker 1: into Valencia. I mean, I think the biggest difference is 838 00:41:57,200 --> 00:41:59,960 Speaker 1: just I was playing in Once I got to Valenti, 839 00:42:00,000 --> 00:42:04,000 Speaker 1: I was playing in two competitions. Um with with ober Doorrio, 840 00:42:04,120 --> 00:42:06,239 Speaker 1: we just played in the a c B. Um just 841 00:42:06,360 --> 00:42:09,160 Speaker 1: one game a week. And that was that was an 842 00:42:09,200 --> 00:42:12,399 Speaker 1: adjustment to coming from from college where you're playing they're 843 00:42:12,440 --> 00:42:14,359 Speaker 1: cutting to playing two three games a week and you know, 844 00:42:14,400 --> 00:42:18,120 Speaker 1: the season maybe five months now now my first year 845 00:42:18,160 --> 00:42:21,160 Speaker 1: playing a professional, my season is nine or ten months 846 00:42:21,560 --> 00:42:23,760 Speaker 1: and I'm playing once a week. Like we we only 847 00:42:23,800 --> 00:42:26,279 Speaker 1: played like thirty four Like it's the same amount of 848 00:42:26,320 --> 00:42:29,680 Speaker 1: games as a college season essentially, but it's just extremely 849 00:42:29,719 --> 00:42:32,319 Speaker 1: stretched out, so like we're having two days practices like 850 00:42:32,640 --> 00:42:34,680 Speaker 1: right there in the middle of the week. Like it's 851 00:42:34,800 --> 00:42:37,560 Speaker 1: kind of feels like preseason. UM. And we went through 852 00:42:37,560 --> 00:42:39,440 Speaker 1: a stretch where we lost like six seven games in 853 00:42:39,480 --> 00:42:41,719 Speaker 1: a row that year actually, and so we had won 854 00:42:41,760 --> 00:42:45,360 Speaker 1: a game in almost two months. UM. Where then I 855 00:42:45,400 --> 00:42:48,759 Speaker 1: get to Valencia. We're playing in UM, We're still in 856 00:42:48,760 --> 00:42:50,239 Speaker 1: the A c B in the Spanish Leap, and then 857 00:42:50,239 --> 00:42:54,279 Speaker 1: we're also playing in europe Cup. So I'm playing UM 858 00:42:54,480 --> 00:42:56,640 Speaker 1: two games a week, two to three games a week, 859 00:42:56,680 --> 00:42:59,200 Speaker 1: and I'm playing in you know, all over the Europe. 860 00:42:59,239 --> 00:43:01,640 Speaker 1: I'm playing in Turk, I'm playing in Russia, I'm playing 861 00:43:01,640 --> 00:43:06,440 Speaker 1: in Germany and Italy, you know, and then obviously in Spain. UM. 862 00:43:06,480 --> 00:43:08,680 Speaker 1: But that was a really cool experience for me, just traveling, 863 00:43:09,120 --> 00:43:13,560 Speaker 1: traveling throughout Europe. UM. And then it's higher, higher level 864 00:43:13,960 --> 00:43:16,719 Speaker 1: of competition as well, playing in the europe Cup. You 865 00:43:16,880 --> 00:43:19,160 Speaker 1: when you got Valencia, also, there were other Americans, right 866 00:43:19,200 --> 00:43:22,120 Speaker 1: like Mike Toby played in your team, right whereas I 867 00:43:22,560 --> 00:43:24,960 Speaker 1: think when you were your first club, were you the 868 00:43:25,000 --> 00:43:29,480 Speaker 1: only American we had um SO in Spain and especially 869 00:43:29,560 --> 00:43:32,200 Speaker 1: you're only allowed to um SO I had. I had 870 00:43:32,200 --> 00:43:34,080 Speaker 1: another one in my first team to His name is 871 00:43:34,080 --> 00:43:37,600 Speaker 1: Ben Simons. He went he played college at Drake UM College, 872 00:43:37,600 --> 00:43:39,759 Speaker 1: bestballt Drake and I still stay in touch with him. 873 00:43:39,760 --> 00:43:42,960 Speaker 1: He's playing now in Germany UM UH and then now 874 00:43:43,440 --> 00:43:46,319 Speaker 1: and like you said, UH, in Valencia, Mike Toby was 875 00:43:46,360 --> 00:43:49,600 Speaker 1: the other American UM and he's still he's still in 876 00:43:49,680 --> 00:43:52,400 Speaker 1: volunteer it now now too. And he would always give 877 00:43:52,440 --> 00:43:55,480 Speaker 1: me a shit about how they beat us. UM it 878 00:43:55,560 --> 00:43:58,719 Speaker 1: was my junior, my junior his senior year, Virginia beat 879 00:43:58,760 --> 00:44:01,840 Speaker 1: us in the sweet sixteen when we're playing UH in Chicago. 880 00:44:01,960 --> 00:44:04,080 Speaker 1: So he would he would from time to time to 881 00:44:04,080 --> 00:44:06,319 Speaker 1: give me a hard time about that loss. So when 882 00:44:06,360 --> 00:44:09,120 Speaker 1: you get to Valencia, what what is for? Like what 883 00:44:09,160 --> 00:44:10,719 Speaker 1: was your day? Like you know, is it just you 884 00:44:10,760 --> 00:44:13,960 Speaker 1: and Mike Toby hanging around? Like what what was what? 885 00:44:13,960 --> 00:44:17,959 Speaker 1: What's what? On a daily basis? I mean I spent 886 00:44:18,000 --> 00:44:19,560 Speaker 1: a lot of time with like it was good because 887 00:44:19,560 --> 00:44:21,600 Speaker 1: we were both the same age. UM, and we were 888 00:44:21,600 --> 00:44:24,400 Speaker 1: both single. You know, once you that's one thing too. 889 00:44:24,480 --> 00:44:26,480 Speaker 1: Once you turn pro, you know, you have teammates of 890 00:44:26,480 --> 00:44:29,240 Speaker 1: all ages, and they're at all different points in your life, 891 00:44:29,440 --> 00:44:32,759 Speaker 1: Whereas in college, you know, everyone's eighteen to twenty two 892 00:44:32,800 --> 00:44:35,320 Speaker 1: and everyone's you know, kind of doing the same stuff. 893 00:44:35,640 --> 00:44:37,759 Speaker 1: All of a sudden you turn pro. You know, I 894 00:44:37,840 --> 00:44:39,879 Speaker 1: had guys that were thirty five, thirty six who had 895 00:44:40,000 --> 00:44:43,120 Speaker 1: you know, wives and two three kids already. UM. But 896 00:44:43,200 --> 00:44:45,920 Speaker 1: I I that is one thing too. In both teams, 897 00:44:45,960 --> 00:44:50,560 Speaker 1: my teams in Spain and I had extremely extremely good teammates, 898 00:44:50,680 --> 00:44:52,279 Speaker 1: you know, that were great to me and help me 899 00:44:52,440 --> 00:44:55,560 Speaker 1: with the transition. UM. On both teams, I still stay 900 00:44:55,560 --> 00:44:58,719 Speaker 1: in touch with guys I played with UM in Valencia, 901 00:44:58,760 --> 00:45:01,080 Speaker 1: I played with you know, I spent a lot of 902 00:45:01,080 --> 00:45:03,480 Speaker 1: time with Mike. UM. There's a Canadian that I played 903 00:45:03,520 --> 00:45:06,080 Speaker 1: with UM, Aaron dornat camping in one of the Belgian 904 00:45:06,080 --> 00:45:09,000 Speaker 1: point guards. His name is Sam ben Ross. And those 905 00:45:09,040 --> 00:45:10,879 Speaker 1: three guys are all still there, and those three guys 906 00:45:10,880 --> 00:45:14,520 Speaker 1: that still stay in touch with UM in his day 907 00:45:14,560 --> 00:45:17,720 Speaker 1: and UM, Aaron the one from he's actually from Toronto, 908 00:45:18,080 --> 00:45:19,880 Speaker 1: so he was pretty he was pretty punked up for 909 00:45:19,920 --> 00:45:21,960 Speaker 1: me when you know the deal and everything happened for me, 910 00:45:21,960 --> 00:45:25,000 Speaker 1: the summons, the raptors. Yeah, so so okay, so you 911 00:45:25,080 --> 00:45:28,000 Speaker 1: finished in Valencia. This is going back to you know, 912 00:45:28,080 --> 00:45:31,279 Speaker 1: last last season. Um, would your agent tell you in 913 00:45:31,360 --> 00:45:33,880 Speaker 1: terms of the NBA in terms of going back to Valencia? Like, 914 00:45:33,920 --> 00:45:38,400 Speaker 1: what was that like? And UM? I felt like you know, 915 00:45:38,440 --> 00:45:41,080 Speaker 1: I was, I was going back to Valencia, you know. Um, 916 00:45:41,120 --> 00:45:42,640 Speaker 1: you know Alex had told me. You know, in my 917 00:45:42,640 --> 00:45:44,440 Speaker 1: first years in Spain, you know that teams have been 918 00:45:44,600 --> 00:45:46,480 Speaker 1: NBA teams have been showing interests, and you know it 919 00:45:46,520 --> 00:45:48,759 Speaker 1: could have happen this summer, it could, you know, But 920 00:45:48,880 --> 00:45:51,560 Speaker 1: I never wanted to get my hopes up. I had 921 00:45:51,600 --> 00:45:53,720 Speaker 1: signed a two year deal in Valencia, so I knew, 922 00:45:54,560 --> 00:45:56,120 Speaker 1: you know, I knew I was going back. We had 923 00:45:56,160 --> 00:45:58,360 Speaker 1: one year old Cup, so, um we were you know, 924 00:45:58,400 --> 00:46:00,000 Speaker 1: I was going to have the opportunity play in year 925 00:46:00,040 --> 00:46:02,400 Speaker 1: or league, you know, in my second year of the contract, 926 00:46:02,480 --> 00:46:05,000 Speaker 1: and I was. I was excited for that. Um. I 927 00:46:05,040 --> 00:46:08,719 Speaker 1: also finished the year I was injured. Um So I 928 00:46:08,719 --> 00:46:10,800 Speaker 1: actually didn't even I wasn't even healthy to finish the 929 00:46:11,040 --> 00:46:15,360 Speaker 1: finished the season in Valencia. Um So I didn't. I 930 00:46:15,600 --> 00:46:19,279 Speaker 1: didn't anticipate to be honest, UM, anything really happening, you 931 00:46:19,280 --> 00:46:21,839 Speaker 1: know with an NBA team. UM for me, you know, 932 00:46:21,920 --> 00:46:24,360 Speaker 1: this year, I didn't know for sure if it would happen. 933 00:46:24,440 --> 00:46:26,680 Speaker 1: Like I said, Alex had I have been telling me 934 00:46:26,760 --> 00:46:30,160 Speaker 1: things that you know that it could, um, But I 935 00:46:30,200 --> 00:46:31,759 Speaker 1: never wanted to get my hopes up. And I also 936 00:46:31,960 --> 00:46:34,320 Speaker 1: just tried my best to live in the moment and 937 00:46:34,320 --> 00:46:37,880 Speaker 1: and until anything happened. That's that's what I did. UM. 938 00:46:37,920 --> 00:46:39,360 Speaker 1: But then once I found out you know that the 939 00:46:39,480 --> 00:46:42,160 Speaker 1: Raptors are we're interested in and wanted to put an 940 00:46:42,200 --> 00:46:44,799 Speaker 1: offer on the table, you know, UM, it definitely an 941 00:46:44,800 --> 00:46:47,879 Speaker 1: exciting time for me, and everything moved pretty quick, um 942 00:46:47,960 --> 00:46:50,840 Speaker 1: with with you know, getting the physicals and getting up 943 00:46:50,840 --> 00:46:54,279 Speaker 1: to Toronto get the physicals and then um, you know, 944 00:46:54,320 --> 00:46:56,799 Speaker 1: the two sides had had to work out the Like 945 00:46:56,840 --> 00:46:58,400 Speaker 1: I said, it was a two year contract, so they 946 00:46:58,400 --> 00:47:01,840 Speaker 1: had the Rappids had to pay, uh pay the bios 947 00:47:01,920 --> 00:47:05,319 Speaker 1: in my contract um for me to eventually then signed 948 00:47:05,360 --> 00:47:08,600 Speaker 1: with the team. And so your your first year is guaranteed, 949 00:47:08,600 --> 00:47:10,759 Speaker 1: second year partially guaranteed. What what is it? I mean 950 00:47:10,840 --> 00:47:13,000 Speaker 1: that's that you you signed that paper you knew you 951 00:47:13,000 --> 00:47:17,960 Speaker 1: were an NBA player. What was that moment? Like it 952 00:47:18,080 --> 00:47:21,200 Speaker 1: was it was a very special moment, man, because like 953 00:47:21,280 --> 00:47:24,400 Speaker 1: you said, every kid, every white in the Midwest, you know, 954 00:47:24,440 --> 00:47:26,600 Speaker 1: you you grow up up to the NBA and that 955 00:47:26,600 --> 00:47:28,760 Speaker 1: that's your dream and to be become an NBA player. 956 00:47:28,760 --> 00:47:32,040 Speaker 1: And I've worked extremely hard in my entire life, you know, 957 00:47:32,120 --> 00:47:36,080 Speaker 1: for for this moment. And um, you know, it's not 958 00:47:36,160 --> 00:47:38,759 Speaker 1: just myself either. You know, a lot of people go 959 00:47:38,880 --> 00:47:41,600 Speaker 1: through the journey with your you know, my immediate family obviously. 960 00:47:41,600 --> 00:47:43,920 Speaker 1: You know, I think back to my mom driving me 961 00:47:43,960 --> 00:47:46,360 Speaker 1: all over the Midwest. You know, it's the AU Tournament 962 00:47:46,560 --> 00:47:48,759 Speaker 1: and you know, being there every step of the way 963 00:47:48,800 --> 00:47:50,799 Speaker 1: and all the all the games. You know, they came 964 00:47:50,840 --> 00:47:53,560 Speaker 1: to it at Iowa State. You know, my high school coaches, 965 00:47:53,640 --> 00:47:55,440 Speaker 1: you know, guys like t j Alts to Bury Reb 966 00:47:55,480 --> 00:47:58,839 Speaker 1: been mentors for me. Um. You know, it just you know, 967 00:47:59,040 --> 00:48:00,799 Speaker 1: it brings back a lot of men, marines and um. 968 00:48:01,640 --> 00:48:03,960 Speaker 1: You know, it definitely makes all the hard work that 969 00:48:04,040 --> 00:48:06,680 Speaker 1: you put in over the years, it makes it all 970 00:48:06,719 --> 00:48:09,279 Speaker 1: worth it. So you didn't play the first two games 971 00:48:09,360 --> 00:48:14,720 Speaker 1: the year third game you play the bulls, um and 972 00:48:15,120 --> 00:48:17,480 Speaker 1: you know you guys are and by the way, you're 973 00:48:17,480 --> 00:48:21,240 Speaker 1: coached by a guy who also Midwest roots coached in Iowa, 974 00:48:21,400 --> 00:48:25,080 Speaker 1: right Nick Nurse. He he comes down and puts you in. 975 00:48:25,239 --> 00:48:27,640 Speaker 1: Do you remember checking into your first NBA game against 976 00:48:27,640 --> 00:48:31,880 Speaker 1: the Bulls? Oh yeah, yeah, definitely definitely remember. Um, that 977 00:48:31,880 --> 00:48:35,359 Speaker 1: will be a moment. You know, I don't forget anytime soon. Um, 978 00:48:36,200 --> 00:48:37,719 Speaker 1: we were on we were on a back to back. 979 00:48:37,760 --> 00:48:41,120 Speaker 1: You know, we had played in Boston the night before. Um, 980 00:48:41,200 --> 00:48:43,400 Speaker 1: you know, so I was I was actually kind of optimistic, 981 00:48:43,440 --> 00:48:45,000 Speaker 1: you know, you know, like you said, I had to 982 00:48:45,440 --> 00:48:47,200 Speaker 1: didn't play in the first two games, but I was like, 983 00:48:47,200 --> 00:48:49,040 Speaker 1: you know, with with us having back to back, you know, 984 00:48:49,120 --> 00:48:51,000 Speaker 1: you know, it's early in the year. You don't want 985 00:48:51,000 --> 00:48:53,520 Speaker 1: to just overload guys minutes, you know, too early. You know. 986 00:48:53,560 --> 00:48:55,680 Speaker 1: I thought there would be an opportunity potentially for me 987 00:48:55,719 --> 00:48:59,279 Speaker 1: playing in that game, and um it was. It was 988 00:48:59,320 --> 00:49:02,080 Speaker 1: special for me too because you know, Chicago three or 989 00:49:02,080 --> 00:49:05,640 Speaker 1: four hours from from my hometown. So I had a 990 00:49:05,640 --> 00:49:08,520 Speaker 1: lot of family friends there at that game. And um, 991 00:49:08,560 --> 00:49:10,919 Speaker 1: that was actually the first the first game I think 992 00:49:11,000 --> 00:49:13,920 Speaker 1: my mom, all three my mom, brother and sister were 993 00:49:13,920 --> 00:49:18,239 Speaker 1: all all in. Uh, you know, they're together. They had 994 00:49:18,280 --> 00:49:21,239 Speaker 1: did visit me in Spain, but at different times, so 995 00:49:21,320 --> 00:49:23,080 Speaker 1: like for those three to all be there together. That 996 00:49:23,120 --> 00:49:26,200 Speaker 1: was the first time since college. Um So, it was 997 00:49:26,239 --> 00:49:29,920 Speaker 1: only fitting for me to kind of had my NBA 998 00:49:30,000 --> 00:49:32,560 Speaker 1: debut and get out there and play my first minute 999 00:49:32,640 --> 00:49:34,759 Speaker 1: and knocked down a couple of shots, you know, in 1000 00:49:34,880 --> 00:49:37,480 Speaker 1: Chicago on on that day. Yeah, it's pretty pretty amazing, 1001 00:49:37,600 --> 00:49:40,680 Speaker 1: right to go to play in Chicago. Um did you 1002 00:49:40,760 --> 00:49:42,359 Speaker 1: you made two three? Did you make your first one? 1003 00:49:43,520 --> 00:49:46,200 Speaker 1: I did. I made my first two right in the 1004 00:49:46,239 --> 00:49:49,479 Speaker 1: first half, and I missed one in the in the 1005 00:49:49,560 --> 00:49:52,279 Speaker 1: in the third quarter I think, or third or fourth 1006 00:49:52,320 --> 00:49:55,000 Speaker 1: quarter in the second half at some point. Yeah. Um, 1007 00:49:55,280 --> 00:49:57,880 Speaker 1: I ended up playing twenty minutes that night and and 1008 00:49:57,960 --> 00:50:00,920 Speaker 1: went two for three, and you know, I was I 1009 00:50:01,280 --> 00:50:03,160 Speaker 1: definitely had a lot of energy, so I was out there, 1010 00:50:03,280 --> 00:50:06,840 Speaker 1: you know, trying to be all over the place. Okay, 1011 00:50:06,840 --> 00:50:08,480 Speaker 1: I got I got, I got two more for you 1012 00:50:08,520 --> 00:50:14,400 Speaker 1: really quickly. First, how good is Luca Man, He's he's 1013 00:50:14,480 --> 00:50:16,560 Speaker 1: he's a big time um so. I actually played him 1014 00:50:16,600 --> 00:50:19,360 Speaker 1: in Spain my first year. Um So that would have 1015 00:50:19,360 --> 00:50:22,080 Speaker 1: been when he was shooting seventeen. I don't even know, 1016 00:50:22,719 --> 00:50:25,279 Speaker 1: but like what he's able to do it just the 1017 00:50:25,280 --> 00:50:27,080 Speaker 1: pace that he plays, that he just plays at his 1018 00:50:27,120 --> 00:50:30,359 Speaker 1: own speed. Um. I think people don't really tell big 1019 00:50:30,400 --> 00:50:33,360 Speaker 1: he is. He's legit, like six eight out there playing 1020 00:50:33,400 --> 00:50:38,120 Speaker 1: point guard. Um, he's he's special man. And you know, 1021 00:50:38,400 --> 00:50:40,200 Speaker 1: I didn't know that he was going to come to 1022 00:50:40,239 --> 00:50:46,720 Speaker 1: the NBA and have this big given impact, this this quickly. Um, 1023 00:50:46,760 --> 00:50:48,440 Speaker 1: you know, I didn't think he'd be scoring the way 1024 00:50:48,480 --> 00:50:50,960 Speaker 1: he's scoring. But I mean, I think he's came out 1025 00:50:51,000 --> 00:50:53,200 Speaker 1: and said as well that just in the NBA, the 1026 00:50:53,520 --> 00:50:55,920 Speaker 1: game the way it's played, Um, there's a lot more 1027 00:50:55,960 --> 00:50:58,799 Speaker 1: space and it's it's easier to put the ball in 1028 00:50:58,800 --> 00:51:00,759 Speaker 1: the basket's easier to score than it is in the 1029 00:51:00,800 --> 00:51:04,120 Speaker 1: European game. Um. But he's he's a special man, and 1030 00:51:04,520 --> 00:51:08,520 Speaker 1: you know fans should just enjoy enjoy him. The best 1031 00:51:08,560 --> 00:51:11,600 Speaker 1: player in Spain that you had never heard of. And 1032 00:51:11,600 --> 00:51:13,160 Speaker 1: then you're like, I've never heard of this guy before 1033 00:51:13,160 --> 00:51:20,359 Speaker 1: and he's unbelievable as tough. Um. Actually probably probably Corey Higgins. 1034 00:51:20,800 --> 00:51:23,359 Speaker 1: He's Uh, he was playing when I was in Spain, 1035 00:51:23,440 --> 00:51:26,080 Speaker 1: he was playing the Chessco Moscow. He signed in Barcelona, 1036 00:51:26,120 --> 00:51:28,799 Speaker 1: so he's playing there this year. But I had I 1037 00:51:28,840 --> 00:51:30,680 Speaker 1: didn't know who he was. I looked him up. People 1038 00:51:30,840 --> 00:51:36,640 Speaker 1: played to uh, played college at Colorado. Um, but he's man, 1039 00:51:36,680 --> 00:51:39,560 Speaker 1: he's he's really really good. That's the thing. People, I mean, 1040 00:51:39,719 --> 00:51:43,040 Speaker 1: the average going too, I think disrespect Europe and just 1041 00:51:43,239 --> 00:51:46,040 Speaker 1: the level of talent that's there. There's plenty of guys 1042 00:51:46,040 --> 00:51:47,960 Speaker 1: in Europe that could be in the NBA right now 1043 00:51:48,480 --> 00:51:50,279 Speaker 1: and a little like time. When I say that, I 1044 00:51:50,280 --> 00:51:52,200 Speaker 1: mean like they literally could be in the NBA right now, 1045 00:51:52,239 --> 00:51:55,440 Speaker 1: but they just elected to play in Europe because for 1046 00:51:55,520 --> 00:51:58,359 Speaker 1: whatever reason. They're their wife, they're very kids there, their 1047 00:51:58,400 --> 00:52:00,960 Speaker 1: life is there now, they're making better money, they have 1048 00:52:01,000 --> 00:52:04,680 Speaker 1: a better role than they could on the NBA team, um, 1049 00:52:05,040 --> 00:52:09,160 Speaker 1: something like like. But some people just everyone here thinks, 1050 00:52:09,239 --> 00:52:10,719 Speaker 1: you know, if you're not in the NBA, then you're 1051 00:52:10,760 --> 00:52:13,080 Speaker 1: not you know, a good player or whatever. It's a 1052 00:52:13,200 --> 00:52:16,560 Speaker 1: joke because there's there's so much talent and really really 1053 00:52:16,600 --> 00:52:19,279 Speaker 1: good teams, um playing in Europe. All right. Last thing, 1054 00:52:19,320 --> 00:52:21,840 Speaker 1: best thing that best best thing about playing in the 1055 00:52:21,920 --> 00:52:26,040 Speaker 1: NBA is what what's shoot? Man? Right now? I'm I'm 1056 00:52:26,080 --> 00:52:29,239 Speaker 1: in Miami, um talking to you outside actually right now 1057 00:52:29,239 --> 00:52:31,800 Speaker 1: it's like eight degrees out. So that's that's one of 1058 00:52:31,840 --> 00:52:34,480 Speaker 1: the good things we say, at five star hotels and 1059 00:52:34,600 --> 00:52:38,200 Speaker 1: we traveling private jets everywhere, and you get to shoot, 1060 00:52:38,239 --> 00:52:41,279 Speaker 1: get to being all the all the all the best 1061 00:52:41,280 --> 00:52:44,640 Speaker 1: cities in the country. UM. That's that's one of the perks. 1062 00:52:46,200 --> 00:52:48,480 Speaker 1: If you were to give advice to somebody else who's 1063 00:52:48,520 --> 00:52:51,520 Speaker 1: going through what you went through when you were eleven, 1064 00:52:51,560 --> 00:52:55,759 Speaker 1: when you're dead dad killed himself, and seeing your success, Now, 1065 00:52:56,560 --> 00:52:59,960 Speaker 1: what would it be someone who's going through Yeah, something 1066 00:53:00,040 --> 00:53:03,440 Speaker 1: is going through, losing a family member, some sort of strife, 1067 00:53:03,480 --> 00:53:07,640 Speaker 1: I mean hopefully not sure. You know. What was the advisure? Yeah, yeah, 1068 00:53:07,640 --> 00:53:09,680 Speaker 1: my advice to someone who's going through a tough time, 1069 00:53:09,880 --> 00:53:13,160 Speaker 1: you know, like that would just be, you know, keep 1070 00:53:13,480 --> 00:53:16,879 Speaker 1: keep your faith, keep believing, um, and and just keep 1071 00:53:16,960 --> 00:53:19,960 Speaker 1: continue to work. You know that That's the one constant 1072 00:53:20,000 --> 00:53:22,279 Speaker 1: thing that I've done my entire life, is continue to 1073 00:53:22,320 --> 00:53:25,279 Speaker 1: work through all the highs and the loads. Like the work. Um, 1074 00:53:25,719 --> 00:53:27,520 Speaker 1: the work in the process doesn't change, you know. I 1075 00:53:27,719 --> 00:53:30,880 Speaker 1: was told once that if you fall in love with 1076 00:53:31,000 --> 00:53:34,040 Speaker 1: the process without being emotionally attached to the outcome, you're 1077 00:53:34,520 --> 00:53:37,400 Speaker 1: you're probably gonna eventually love what the outcome, what the 1078 00:53:37,400 --> 00:53:40,239 Speaker 1: outcome brings. UM. And I've tried to continue to have 1079 00:53:40,320 --> 00:53:42,840 Speaker 1: that mindset and just continue to work and regardless of 1080 00:53:42,840 --> 00:53:45,799 Speaker 1: the outcome, just just every single day, just continue to 1081 00:53:45,800 --> 00:53:48,560 Speaker 1: work and um to this point, it's it works out 1082 00:53:48,560 --> 00:53:50,879 Speaker 1: pretty well for me. Yeah, I would, I would say, hey, listen, 1083 00:53:50,960 --> 00:53:52,719 Speaker 1: enjoy Miami. I won't take any more of your time 1084 00:53:52,800 --> 00:53:54,799 Speaker 1: on South Beach. I can't wait to see you when 1085 00:53:54,800 --> 00:53:56,760 Speaker 1: you get when you get to l A. In the meantime, 1086 00:53:57,160 --> 00:54:01,200 Speaker 1: congratulations and thank you so much for joining us. Of course, 1087 00:54:01,239 --> 00:54:03,040 Speaker 1: thanks a lot, Doug. It's good. It's good and talk 1088 00:54:03,080 --> 00:54:05,800 Speaker 1: again and getting touch off and happy to hope to 1089 00:54:05,880 --> 00:54:08,520 Speaker 1: see n l A. Be sure to catch the live 1090 00:54:08,680 --> 00:54:11,759 Speaker 1: edition of The Doug Gottlieb Show weekdays at three p m. 1091 00:54:11,800 --> 00:54:16,080 Speaker 1: Easter noon Pacific. So that's it for all Ball. Remember 1092 00:54:16,080 --> 00:54:17,759 Speaker 1: to listen to The Doug Gotlip Show week days three 1093 00:54:17,800 --> 00:54:20,239 Speaker 1: to six from twelve three Pacific on Fox Sports Trader, 1094 00:54:20,320 --> 00:54:23,520 Speaker 1: the I Heart Radio app. Make sure you tell a friend, download, 1095 00:54:23,520 --> 00:54:27,400 Speaker 1: subscribe and rate our program as well. My thanks to 1096 00:54:27,400 --> 00:54:29,719 Speaker 1: Matt Thomas. I'm Doug Gottlieb. Happy New Year. This is 1097 00:54:29,719 --> 00:54:30,080 Speaker 1: all Ball.