Will Valsien (188-G) is a 188cm guard from Florida that is taking part at the Howard Hoops pro Combine in Italy. He began his basketball career at Game changers academy and also played at Boynton Beach High School. He then played 2 seasons and 55 games at Copper Mountain College (JUCO): averaging 8.4ppg, 2.9rpg, 2.3apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 44.9%, 3PT: 17.4%, FT: 75.6% and 8.0ppg, 3.3rpg, 2.7apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 41.7%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 72.2%. He then played 2 seasons at Le Moyne-Owen College (NCAA2) playing 45 games. He spoke to eurobasket about basketball.

Thanks Will for talking to eurobasket.com. Where are you at the moment and how is basketball life treating you at the moment?

Where I’m at in my basketball journey I’m ready to be a pro. I have learned so much over the years from prep school and college that I’m ready to put it all together and be a pro.

You will be taking part at the Howard Hoops Pro Combine in Italy. How excited are you to come overseas and show your skills?

Yes I’ll be taking part in the Howard hoops pro combine in Italy. I’m really excited. I really want to show the overseas teams what I can do and what I can bring to the table. This is an amazing opportunity for me and I’m extremely grateful to Howard hoops and I appreciate the opportunity

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How did you find contact with Ron Howard? Was it more through guys you know of finding information online?

I found out about Howarrd hoops through social media.

How thankful are you for having found Ron Howard? He has been helping guys get jobs overseas for a decade.

I’m extremely thankful. Trying to become a pro is extremely hard and having someone who has been through the process and has helped others through the process is a blessing.

What do you appreciate most about him? He is a guy that lives and breathes basketball and wants to give the underdog a shot.

What I appreciate about him the most about him is his honesty. He’s a guy that keeps it real and has a tremendous love for the game.

Your coming out of school now and hope to find a pro team. Do you feel like your ready to come overseas? Have you made any notes or gotten tips from guys that were overseas?

I feel like I’m as ready as I Can be. Yeah I’ve gotten a lot of tips, the tips I hear the most are be a dog, stay ready and be in shape.

It is really difficult to come overseas when you play in lower college leagues. What do you feel you have as a player and person that would enrich any organization?

To come in with a chip on my shoulder and continue to be a good person and role model.

Let’s talk a big about your game. If you had to describe your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

I would say Dru Holiday or Marcus Smart. I love defense and love watching defensive minded guards play.

What are your strengths as a player? You can fill the stat sheet well.

I played good defense, I took the basket really well and I’ll do whatever Coach needs me to do with it as guard the best player or put some points on the board.

What kind of defender are you now and what kind of defender do you want to become?

I believe I’m a great defender. Defensiveness has always been a staple in my game but I’m still grown as a person and a player so I believe there’s more things I can learn on the defensive end.

What is a hidden strength in your game that isn’t noticed right away on the court?

My playmaking ability, I’m such a great defender that sometimes gets overshadowed.

On what area of your game are you working on most at the moment so you can continue to grow as a player?

Decision making of the pick and roll, making corner shots and shooting off of ball screens and pin downs

You played 2 seasons of JUCO ball At Copper Mountain. Every guy I have interviewed said it was tough but an experience they wouldn’t have traded the world for. How was it for you?

My two seasons at my Juco was really tough. I learned so much about myself as a man and as a player and I also wouldn’t trade it for the world. I’ve made great relationships and friends. Juco teammates will definitely be at my wedding.

In your 2 years at Copper Mountain you averaged 8.4ppg, 2.9rpg, 2.3apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 44.9%, 3PT: 17.4%, FT: 75.6% and 8.0ppg, 3.3rpg, 2.7apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 41.7%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 72.2%. You seemed to be a role player. How did you grow as a player there?

My first year at Copper Mountain college I started off at the end of the bench and had to work my way to a starting spot. My role at first was to be a past first point guard but then I started to find my niche as a defender and my role on the team became bigger and bigger with every game.

How vital was head coach Devin Aye in your 2 years at Copper Mountain in terms of early basketball development?

He was very vital he has taught me a lot and I am extremely grateful to have had him as a coach

You then played 2 seasons at Le Moyne-Owen College (NCAA2) playing 45 NCAA 2 games and never averaged more than 2,7ppg. How tough was it coming from JUCO and not playing much? What positives could you get from the experience?

It was extremely tough. I dealt with injuries and self doubt. But it was for sure a learning experience it made me more hungry and it made me appreciate the game so much more also it challenge my character. But I remained a great teammate and learned a lot in those two years. Like to stay ready you never know when your opportunities is going come.

You scored in double figures twice against Delta State and Spring Hill. Were these wins and performances some of your most enjoyable there?

Yes, these wins were some of the most enjoyable moments I had. The coach gave me an opportunity to play and I took full advantage of it those four games.

What kind of relationship did you have with Bonzi Wells. How did you profit from his coaching skills?

I have a great relationship with Bonzi Wells I can call him right now and he’ll help me with anything I need he’s a great person on and off the court. He’s a cutthroat Coach and he preaches to stay ready for opportunities and to take full advantage of it because you never know when they are going to come

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Andrew Anderson?

We played it all the time but I definitely won a majority of them. Andrew is great teammate and super competitive

Who was the toughest player you ever faced in your life that reached the NBA?

Walt lemon Jr at an open gym

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Andrew Anderson, Anthony Rice ,Isayis Aris, Quando Lawrence and Gjred Wilson

What is your personal NBA Mount Rushmore of past or present heads?

Micheal Jordan, Dwade , Rondo , Kobe ,Stephon Curry and Lebron James

Who is your GOAT and why?

D Wade because he inspired me to start playing basketball

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

They definitely should’ve left it alone.

Thanks Will for the chat.

Tags : WILL VALSIEN, LE MOYNE-OWEN COLLEGE, GERMAN BASKETBALL