Michael Flowers (185-G-1999, college: WSU) is a 185cm guard from Southfield, Michigan playing his rookie season in Germany with the Kirchheim Knights currently averaging 16,1ppg, 3,0rpg and 2,9apg.. He began his basketball career at / Southfield Arts & Tech High School and then played 3 years at Western Michigan University playing 87 NCAA games and in his last 2 seasons averaged 15.7ppg, 3.9rpg, 3.3apg, FGP: 44.3%, 3PT: 33.2%, FT: 78.4% and 16.9ppg, 2.9rpg, 3.3apg, FGP: 47.9%, 3PT: 36.8%, FT: 84.4%. He then played a season with the University of South Alabama (NCAA) averaging 21.4ppg, 4.7rpg, 3.7apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 49.8%, 3PT: 39.6%, FT: 82.5%. He finished his NCAA career with Washington State University (NCAA) averaging 14.2ppg, 3.2rpg, 3.4apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 45.6%, 3PT: 36.9%, FT: 85.4%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Michael thanks talking to germanhoops.com. ? Congrats on signing with German pro A team Kirchheim Knights. What do you know in general about the country Germany and it’s basketball?

Thanks, I’m currently learning more about Germany basketball. I do know they have great competition here and we’ll respected leagues.

You put up very good stats in the NCAA for 3 different schools something one sees rarely in the NCAA. How big is your chip on your shoulder to want to prove your abilities as a rookie?

I’ve always kept a chip on my shoulder ever since I was a younger basketball player. I would say the chip is still the same to overcome the doubts that others put on me and show what I’m capable of.

Only 60 guys can be drafted and there are hundreds and hundreds of great guards world wide. Do you feel like explosiveness is something that may have held you back form the NBA?

I honestly don’t know if that’s the case. I do know there are less explosive guards than me that are currently in the NBA. However, I feel that my journey is going exactly the way it’s supposed to be.

Head coach Igor Perovic is a calm and laid back guy. How did you like your first talks? What did you learn to appreciate most about his basketball philosophy?

Me and Coach Igor had great conversations prior to me signing to the Knights. I’m also calm and laid back so I believe we had some similarities on the way we approach the game. I appreciate his philosophy of the offensive style of play he likes to use while also emphasizing the importance of playing good defense.

The club pretty much has already stated now that you will be the first scoring option. Your confidence must be very high after a fruitful NCAA career for how you will fare as a rookie.

Yes, I’m a confident player. Whenever I step on the court I feel as if I’m a threat to the other team. I plan on utilizing all my skills this year to help lead my team to a successful season

Let’s talk about your game. You’re a 185cm guard that can flat out score the ball. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

I would say I best compare to Fred Van Vleet. His playmaking and shooting ability is what I would say I’m similar to. Also we’re around the same height and play the game at about the same pace.

You a very good scorer but also can fill the stat sheet very well. What other strengths does your game incorporate.

I believe that I’m also a great playmaker who can get my teammates involved and a good guard rebounder. While being a willing defender as well.

How much of a priority is your playmaking? You averaged 3,0apg in the NCAA. Could you imagine averaging 5 assists in a season overseas?

Yes, I can very likely see myself accomplishing that. I believe the way the game is played in Europe it will only compliment my playmaking ability.

What kind of defender are you presently and what kind of defender do you want to become in the next years?

I would say I’m a willing defender at the moment who takes pride in stopping my opponent. I want to someday become a lockdown defender.

On what area’s of your game are you working on most now so you will be best prepared in your rookie season?

I would say just sharpening my passing reads as a PG and figuring out new ways to score within a new offensive style of play.

You played 3 years at Western Michigan University and made a huge step in your second and third seasons. How do you feel did your game grow there in those last 2 years?

I believe my game grew because of the work I put in during the summer. I stayed for the entire summer both years to work extra on my game and I believe that prepared me for the season.

You had a lot of really good games at Western Michigan in losing causes, but where does the 34 points in the 115-110 win over Milwaukee rank?

That game is one of my personal favorites. I would rank it in my top three. The feeling I had that game was amazing and my teammates made it even better.

You then played at the University of Southern Alabama averaging 21.4ppg, 4.7rpg, 3.7apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 49.8%, 3PT: 39.6%, FT: 82.5%. What did you gain most from this year? You averaged 37 minutes per game and just showed scoring consistency.

I feel I gained how to play through adversity the most from that year. We had a lot going on within our team with Covid going on. I had extra responsibilities that year and I feel it made me become a better player.

You then played a senior year at Washington State University (NCAA) averaging 14.2ppg, 3.2rpg, 3.4apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 45.6%, 3PT: 36.9%, FT: 85.4%. How vital was it for your game being able to play in one of the top 3 conferences? What kind of player did you become here?

Playing at Washington State was a great experience for me. I learned how to play on a team with a lot of talented players and find other ways to be effective. I believe I became a better leader because our team was so young and I also learned how to play better off the ball and became a better defender.

You had so many great games at WSU like scoring 22 and 21 points back to back against Stanford and California or 22 and 27 points against SMU and BYU. What was your most memorable game?

I would say the BYU game was the most memorable game for me. That game sent us to MSG and the celebration in the Locker room is one I’ll never forget.

How did head coach Kyle Smith give that last needed touch and groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Coach Smith helped me look at the game in a more analytical way. He’s big on the numbers which I believe the game is moving towards. I think that really helped me be conscious of what parts of my game I’m better at and what teams are looking for to be efficient.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Tyrell Roberts

Me and Ty would go back and forth every practice. That’s my guy and I know he will do big things for his last year of college.

What kind of an experience was it having a work out with the Indiana Pacers? What was the most important advice they gave you for your game and journey?

That was a great experience for me. Some of the best advice they gave me was after the workout when we all went out to eat. They just talked to us about being aware of our mental health which I believe is an important piece to being the best on the court.

Who is the toughest player that you ever faced on the floor so far in your career that reached the NBA?

Jordan Poole

Please name your five best teammates of all-time?

All of them.

Please name your NBA Mount Rushmore

Steph Curry
Kobe Bryant
Michael Jordan
LeBron James
Shaq

What is your opinion of the neverending debate of who is the greatest of all time Jordan or Lebron?

Michael Jordan

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn’t they have left it alone?

No, which means they probably should have left it alone lol.

Thanks Michael for the chat.

Tags : MICHAEL FLOWERS, VFL KIRCHHEIM KNIGHTS, GERMAN BASKETBALL