Michael Fakuade is a 24 year old 201cm forward from Chicago, Illinois that also has the NIgerian citizenship and is playing his second professional basketball season with the ETB Wohnbau Baskets Essen. He just completed his rookie season for UBC Hannover playing 15 games: 15.2ppg, Reb-5(10.6rpg), 1.1apg, 1.3spg, Blocks-1(2.8bpg), FGP: 52.9%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 67.6%. he started his basketball career in 2007 for  N.Illinois (NCAA) where he played until 2010 playing 54 NCAA games. He then changed to play for  Ill.-Springfield (NCAA2). He played a total of 45 NCAA 2 games and as a senior played  24 games: 14.5ppg, RebNCAA2-6(11.0rpg), BlocksNCAA2-2(3.5bpg), FGP: 55.9%, 3PT: 3-6, FT: 56.7%. He spoke to German Hoops before the game against Erdgas Ehingen.

 

 

Michael thanks for talking to German Hoops again. Last season you played in Hannover and now you play in Essen and witnessed the coming of the new year. What makes celebrating New Years in Germany so special?

 Actually I was not here for new years. I just made my way back to Essen. It was a different experience, but I am still happy to bring in the New Year.

With 2014 here, what basketball New Year resolutions do you have?

My basketball new year resolution is to make the playoffs

The EBTB Wohnbau Baskets finished the first half of the season in 11th place with a record of 6-9. You probably aren´t very happy with that record. What things does the club need to improve more on to get more wins in the second half of the season?

 The first half of the seasons was kind of tough. Not because our play was poor, but because we lost so many close games by only a few points. I believe that we will really start to turn things around. Our biggest thing is we need to work on is finishing games. We play teams very hard until the end, but never seem to finish.

You are averaging 10,0ppg and 8,0 rpg in 21 minutes. How happy have you been with your play? You are averaging 2,2bpg, but only 61% from the free throw line.

To be honest I’m not really happy with my play because I always want to do more. There are a lot of things I can improve on in my game. As far as my shooting from the free throw line, I was in a little bit of slump. I know that will change with more repetition.

How important has Christoph Hackenesch been in the first half of the season? He is averaging 7,5rpg and has really helped the team out under the boards? Where would the team have been without his services?

 Christoph is a big part of our team. He brings so much energy to the floor. Every time he is out there I know he will find a way to impact the game.

The next game is against Ehingen. How advantageous is it that you last played them December 21ist. How vivid are certain plays of this game still in your mind?

Ehingen is very good and well coached team. I think we have to come out with a similar game plan, but key in on a few players a little more. There are some plays we wish we could have back, but we can’t worry about the past we have to just move on.

ETB Essen lost the first meeting against Ehingen with 72-66 on your own home court. What will be key in getting the win? The little things to win weren´t done in this game. Especially Stacey Wilson hurt Essen badly with 24 points and five three pointers. Will slowing him down be half the rent to the win?

The key to winning this is game is to contain all their guards not just Wilson. Their penetration hurts us a lot in previous games. If we can do that and outrebound them we should have a good chance of winning.

How disappointing has been the re injury to Derrick Rose? It must be very frustrating and will he ever come back again or just be an injury prone player the rest of his career?

 Watching Derrick Rose go down is very tough. Just because of how much he means to the game. He is one of the better players in the game today. I believe that he will come back to his old self. He has a lot of determination and he is too young to write him off and say he is injury prone.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw

 The Butler

 

Thanks Michael fort he chat.