Pic credit: Fiba
Williams Tavares (198-G-1995, college: Fordham) is a 28 year old 198cm guard that has the American and Cape Verrde citizenship. He began his basketball career at Bishop Hendricken High School. He tehn played 2 seasons at Monroe College (JUCO) averaging 10.0ppg, 4.1rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 47.8%, 3PT: 43.6%, FT: 60.8% and in his second season averaged 12.2ppg, 4.4rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 42.5%, 3PT: 34.3%, FT: 64.3%. He then finished at Fordham University (NCAA) averaging 5.6ppg, 2.2rpg, FGP: 38.0%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 66.0%and in his second season averaged 13.3ppg, 5.3rpg, 1.2apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 53.3%, 3PT: 21.9%, FT: 63.2%. He began his basketball career at CD Universidad de Concepcion (Chile-Liga Nacional) averaging 16.2ppg, 3.8rpg, 1.9apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 51.0%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 54.5%. He also played with Olympic (Egypt-Superleague) and last season with Tundja Yambol (Bulgaria-NBL) averaging 14.4ppg, 4.6rpg, 2.7apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 60.3%, 3PT: 29.3%, FT: 59.0%. He spoke to germanhoops.com after playing with cape Verde at the 2023 World Cup.
Thanks William for talking to germanhoops.com. How good is basketball life for you? You reached the second round with Cape Verde and put Africa along with South Sudan on the basketball map. How important was this for African basketball?
It’s been well as of late. Always a blessings to do what you love.
What was so special about the Cape Verde team? Did that daily underdog feeling and having that dog mentality propel the team to being able to stay with teams?
We play every game like it was our last . We play hard every time just made some mistakes that were completely normal.
You beat Venezuela 80-75. Talk a little about what was going through your mind right as the buzzer sounded?
It was amazing for sure. It still feels so surreal!
Cape Verde lost to Slovenia but as always gave all they had. What was it like battling Luka Doncic? Did you have scenes with him that you will be able to tell your grand children?
Always cool to go up against a player of that caliber. We played well as a team and fought to the final buzzer . He’s just a player that plays the game the right way and a down to earth type of guy.
There are 2 Tavares on the team. With Walter you are teammates with one of the best centers in Europa. What is it like being teammates with this incredible player? Your nicest personal experience with him at the World Cup?
Edy is a big brother to me. You will never meet anybody so humble after so much success. He dominates the game with his presence and plays the right way.
Were there any situations during the World Cup where the two names Tavares caused mix ups? Obviously he is a lot taller, but still some people may have mixed up the people with the names?
We are family. I’m sure there’s some similar relatives down the family tree. The Tavares – Duo is what people call it haha.
You had a solid 2023 World Cup averaging 10/2/2/1 stats. How content were you with your play?
For me it wasn’t about numbers.. it was about embracing the moment and do what I can to help my team win!
What was your personal highlight from any games where you played in and your game really sparkled?
I would definitely say my 4th quarter in that win against Venezuela.
A big stage like this could really help your career. Have offers been coming in?
I hope they start coming in sooner than later.
I would love to see you in Germany. Your ex teammates Chris Sengfelder and Javontae Hawkins have been big time players in Germany. How would Germany sound like in your bio?
I would love to play there ! We will see what God has planned !
Your self confidence must be sky high. How did your game grow during the 2023 World Cup?
I mean playing in the highest competition in the world and playing a key role would boost any players confidence . It was truly a blessing to be on that platform playing against the best!
Last season you played with Tundja Yambol (Bulgaria-NBL) averaging 14.4ppg, 4.6rpg, 2.7apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 60.3%, 3PT: 29.3%, FT: 59.0%. How vital was this season for your career and what was your fondest moment in Bulgaria?
It was cool out there . I learned a lot and made some long term friends. I had some good games out there and most importantly I learned a lot of the European playing style.
In 20-21 you played with Olympic (Egypt-Superleague). What kind of an experience was this for you? What did you learn on the court and off the court did you enter any exotic palaces?
I didn’t play much because of Covid . It was for sure a culture shock for me.
You played your rookie season with CD Universidad de Concepcion (Chile-Liga Nacional) averaging 16.2ppg, 3.8rpg, 1.9apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 51.0%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 54.5%. You were there for only a month, but played 9 games. What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie where you knew that you were far away from home?
It was hard at first because you were on your own in a whole other country. The plus side was being to do what I loved as a job for the first time.
After high school you played 2 seasons at Monroe College (JUCO) averaging 10.0ppg, 4.1rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 47.8%, 3PT: 43.6%, FT: 60.8% and 12.2ppg, 4.4rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 42.5%, 3PT: 34.3%, FT: 64.3%. Every guy I have interviewed who played JUCO have commented that it was a real challenge but one they wouldn’t have traded in for anything else. How was it for you?
I would agree with that statement. Juco was great for me. I was able to develop quickly and still play high competition while getting exposure to play division 1 ball.
How vital was head coach Jefferey Brustad for getting you ready for the NCAA? How did his teaching ways help you best?
Coach Brustad resume speaks for itself . It was blunt and straight to the point with his coaching. So I had to learn quickly and was able to adapt to his system which turned out great for me.
You played at Fordham from 2016-2018 averaging 5.6ppg, 2.2rpg, FGP: 38.0%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 66.0% and in your senior year averaged 13.3ppg, 5.3rpg, 1.2apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 53.3%, 3PT: 21.9%, FT: 63.2%. How did your game grow in your senior year?
I would say the summer going into my senior year I did everything possible to make sure I was ready for my last year. My confidence is what grew the most!
You had many memorable games in your senior year with exciting 1point wins over Maine and George Mason. What was your fondest game at Fordham?
I would have to say my first game ever at Fordham . I remember being so nervous and it still turned out to be a good game for me.
How did head coach Jeff Neubauer groom and prepare you best for a professional career?
The staff was huge on defense and on ball pressure. That has now become one of biggest strengths at the pro level.
Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Chris Sengfelder?
I don’t think we play 1 on 1 but he knows he can’t guard me lol. I will say he’s one of if not the best shooters i’ve played with for sure.
Please name the toughest player that you faced in the NCAA that reached the NBA?
I would probably say Jaylen Adams that was at Saint Bonaventure was a tough cover.
Please name your 5 best teammates until now?
Chuba Ohams, Shakeem Wilson, Javontae Hawkins, Chris Sengfelder, and Edy Tavares.
Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?
Lebron, MJ, Kobe, Allen Iverson
Who is your GOAT and why?
Allen Iverson was my goat growing up. I copied everything he did even down to his hairstyle. I just loved his fearlessness!
Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn’t they have left it alone?
Never seen it
Thanks Will for the chat.
German Hoops 