POSTED BY: Miles Schmidt-Scheuber
Michael Weathers
Thanks Michael for talking to eurobasket.com. After playing in Montenegro and Austria,you’re your playing in a top league in Europe. How excited are you to be playing in Germany?
I’m very excited to be playing in Germany. I have heard nothing but spectacular things about the German BBL, I’m always excited to take on a new challenges in my life and taking this step was huge for me, again i’m just blessed to be able to play this game at a high level, I’ve never been more excited for a season
What do you know in general about the country Germany and it’s basketball?
During my season in Austria I started doing more digging on leagues around the world and my teammates were telling me the BBL is one of the toughest leagues you could play in so I watched Bayern and Alba and other teams around the league. The style of play is fast pace which I think favors my game a lot because I love to play in transition and downhill so with the athleticism of the BBL I think it matches me perfectly. From the fans standpoint I have seen how passionate the fans are about their teams and ‘m ready to witness this in person and see how crazy it can get.
Have you had any friends, former teammates or opponents play in Germany?
I have had a couple former teammates play in Germany, Jeffery Carrol, Eric Washington and a Kansas city native that played last year Elijah Childs
You decided to join the MLP Academics Heidelberg. What was so enticing about joining this ambitious organization?
Last year after watching the games in the BBL, I told my brother and former teammates over and over again that Germany BBL is the place that I have to play, I have to get in this league and get in front of these fans. With that MLP Academics Heidelberg was the first team to offer me and from speaking to the coach I loved his vision and the message he preaches. Playing for people that care about you is the number one thing that’s big for me and for someone to take a opportunity on you that means that they believe in your ability, From our first conversation I knew that coach Jansson was a man that believed in me and I couldn’t thank him enough for calling to me getting me on board
How did the talks go with head coach Danny Jansson. What did you appreciate most about his basketball philosophy?
I think the thing that most intrigued me was the relationships that he wants to build with his players. Playing basketball will always be there for people but those ever long lasting relationships you build with people is an unbelievable thing. From the basketball side of things I know that he preaches defense and that’s my biggest thing as well, but the offensive side of things is going to shock a lot of people this year.
Your were the third best scorer in Austria a league that many Americans use as a stepping stone to reach higher leagues. Do you feel like your scoring will adapt well to the more physical BBL league?
Adaptation is my biggest thing being a basketball player, with the BBL being a physical league I always look forward to it. I think scoring will open my game up to another level in the BBL because of the physicality, drawing fouls is something I look to do, draw contact
Let’s talk about your game. You’re a 190cm guard. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?
If I had to compare my game to one NBA player I would either say Derrick Rose or Russel Westbrook. Because of their impact on winning they do the little things for their team to win games and that that is something that inspires.
Your scoring really stood out in Austria, but you have always filled the stat sheet well. How big is versatility a part of your game?
I think being a versatile player in today’s game is a huge deal, I always pride myself on trying to win no matter what it takes and being a swiss army knife is something I try to do every game. Scoring is a big part of basketball but for me doing everything else like rebounding, blocking shots, taking charges, passing I think those are the stats that are more important in my opinion
You shot the ball really well in your first 2 pro seasons with 40% and 36%. What is your goal this season with your three pointer? Do you see yourself becoming an elite shooter over time?
This season is definitely a season that I want to strive to become a better player and everyone has always raised the question of my shooting ability but this is the year that I make that question go away. This season I want to shoot 40% or better but overtime I want to become a guy that you can’t leave open or he’s going to make you pay.
You are an incredible defensive player that has averaged over 1 steal and block per game. What kind of a defender are you at the moment and what kind of defender do you still want to become?
I think right now where I’m at defensively, I’m a guy that helps the helper, i want to become a defensive player at one moment in my career just because I have always been breaded to play defense. My mom always preached defense and from the moment of her saying that I have always been a teammate that you know you can rely on to get that crucial stop or blocked shot. I want to become one of those defenders that gives you nightmares every time we match up. Like Tony Allen or Klay Thompson
On what other areas are you working on most now so you can continue to improve your game?
Right Now I have been working on reading pick and rolls at the next level, shot making, and getting my body in the best shape possible to last for however long the season goes.
Last season you played with the IMMOunited Dukes Klosterneuburg (Austria-BSL) averaging 22.5ppg, 7.1rpg, 4.3apg, Steals-5 (1.7spg), Blocks-1 (1.7bpg), FGP: 62.5%, 3PT: 36.1%, FT: 75.7%. You played an exciting playoff series against UBSC Graz. What will you always remember from that series?
One moment that I’ll always remember is forcing a game 5 on the road and coming back home victorious. That bus ride was the best I’ve ever been on. But also the fans coming out and selling out the gym was something big for the organization
You played your rookie season with KK Sutjeska Niksic (Montenegro-Erste Liga) averaging 15.2ppg, 4.1rpg, 1.9apg, 1.1spg, Blocks-4 (1.0bpg), FGP: 64.5%, 3PT: 40.6%, FT: 80.5%; and in the Adriatic League 2 averaged 17.3ppg, 6.8rpg, 2.5apg, 1.8spg, 1.3bpg. What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?
I think my wake up call was my first day of practice getting right off the plane and jumping straight into practice and the time difference when I would call my family back home and it would be broad daylight outside and it’s nighttime where I’m at.
You played at 4 schools with Miami University, Oklahoma State, Texas Southern University and SMU. How vital was it for you to have had this vast experience of playing at 4 schools. What did your game get that it wouldn’t have had with only 1 school experience?
I think playing for so many schools and coaches helped me understand the adaptive ability that I use today. Learning a little bit from each coach helps my maturing so when freshmen or transfers would come in I would be able to help them out and get them to understand a coach’s message.
You had a solid freshman season at Miami University (NCAA) averaging 12.4ppg, 4.3rpg, 3.3apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 50.5%, 3PT: 27.0%, FT: 72.9%. How was it being teammate with your brother Marcos. What was your fondest moment with him there?
Playing with your twin brother is an always an amazing feeling and memory in itself. My brother has helped me learn so much on and off the court and will always be my right hand man. But the fondest memory I would say me and my brother had was that we were down 16 on the road at Akron and we came back and won and my brother hit the go ahead game winner and I was the proudest brother in the world because not only did we win, I got to see my brother shine in that moment.
You then played at Oklahoma State University (NCAA) averaging 9.2ppg, 2.8rpg, 2.1apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 48.0%, 3PT: 22.2%, FT: 62.7%. There you were teammates with really talented guys like Lindy Waters, Cameron Mcgriff and Isaac Likekele. Which one of these guys had the biggest impact on you?
I would say that Cam Mcgriff and Lindy Waters both had a huge impact on me because of the fact that they were older and helped me a lot when I transferred to Ok State. I thought I was going to be a guy that was alone but they accepted me with open arms.
You then played a season with Texas Southern University) averaging 16.5ppg, 5.2rpg, 3.4apg, 2.1spg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 52.7%, 3PT: 30.6%, FT: 79.5%. You won the SWAC title. Is it fair to say that this was your best NCAA season? You had massive games that season.
This was definitely the best season for me in my college career. Coming to Texas Southern was a moment I would never forget. Coach Johnny Jones from day 1 laid out the plan for me and we executed it all the way throughout the season.
You scored 24 points against Michigan and was the best player on the floor with guys like Franz Wagner present. How much did a game like this give you confidence that you could play with anyone?
Playing against Franz Wagner in that Michigan team was a huge matchup and most people would back down because of the name across the chest. But playing against stars like that brings out the best in me. I have always had a motto to get respect, you have to earn it and that’s what I try to do every night on the floor and playing in a game like that boosts my confidence to the ceiling.
You finished your NCAA career at Southern Methodist University (NCAA) averaging 11.0ppg, 5.9rpg, 2.2apg, 1.6spg, 1.5bpg, FGP: 48.5%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 79.8%. How cool was it to be back on a team with brother Marcus? What was your fondest memory with him at SMU?
Being back on the floor with my brother was like a breath of fresh air. It’s been so long since we’ve played with each other and to do it one last time for our college career was amazing. I think the most fondest memory was when we took down the Houston cougars when they were ranked 6th in the country. The students rushed the floor it was amazing
How did head coach Tim Jankovic groom and prepare you best for a professional career?
Coach Tim Jankovic Gave me a lot of confidence heading into my professional career. he helped me become a better player and better leader when it came to helping others.
Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Kendric Davis?
I’m going to say me just because I have a little more height and I jump higher
Who was the toughest player that you ever faced that reached the NBA?
The toughest player I would say would have to be Franz Wagner
Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?
My brother, Logan Mclane, Zuric Phelps, Cam Mcgriff, Lindy Waters
Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore of past or present heads?
1.Lebron
2.Kobe
3.Jordan
4.tim Duncan
5.Shaq
Who is your GOAT?
Lebron James
Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn’t they have left it alone?
I Liked the movies I thought they were pretty entertaining, Now the last one was little over the top but I still think they did a good job
Thanks Michael for the chat.
