Michael Hughes (203-C-1998, college: Duquesne) is a 25 year old 203cm center born in Kansas City Missouri and playing his third professional season and first with Jonavos CBet (Lithuania-LKL). Last season he played with Kometa Kaposvari KK (Hungary-A Division) averaging 15.2ppg, Reb-3 (8.5rpg), 2.3apg, 1.3spg, Blocks-1 (1.9bpg), FGP: 61.0%, 3PT: 18.8%, FT: 70.2%. He palyed his rookie season with BC GGMT Vienna (Austria-BSL) averaging 11.3ppg, 7.5rpg, 1.7apg, 1.6spg, Blocks-3 (1.6bpg), FGP: 66.0%, 3PT-2 (50.0%), FT: 64.4%. He began his basketball career at / Liberty North High School and finished his career with school records for rebounds (979) and blocked shots (349) and field-goal percentage (64.9 percent). His 1,209 points were the second-most in school history. He made the jump to the NCAA in 2016 playing a season with the The University of Akron (NCAA) averaging 1.7ppg, 1.1rpg. He then played 3 seasons and 77 NCAA games with the University of Duquesne. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Fiba Europe Cup game against the Rostock Seawolves.

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

I’m currently in Jonava, Lithuania with Jonava C-Bet, been here since early August. Basketball life has been pretty good we’ve been playing two games for the last month or so with some longer road trips in between LKL action and it´s become more routine now.

Your playing your third professional season overseas with Jonavos CBet (Lithuania-LKL). After playing in Austria and Hungary, what kind of experience has Lithuania been? How enthusiastic are the fans? Have you had a special experience with the fans so much?

My experience here in Lithuania has been pretty good, the LKL is a competitive league with great talent on high level teams so every game is important! Swan city army (Jonava Fans) always shows out even when we are on the road. They always show support and I appreciate the energy they bring every week!

Your playing your first full season in an international club competition with the Fiba Europe Cup. How does your game translate best to this play and how has your game continued to develop best in the last 2 seasons?

Our group for FIBA Europe Cup every team has different play styles being from other countries and it´s exciting to be able to play at the international level as well as domestically. I believe that my game translates first defensively with the energy I bring as well as my rim protection. Every summer I’m working with my trainer and we spend time on expanding on my game from the previous season, while also working on the things that helped be successful during that time.

There are only 2 Americans on the squad with you and Mike Lewis. What makes this team special especially with so many unselfish Lithuanians?

This team has to potential to become special, each guy makes is capable of beating anyone on any night no matter the travel in between. We are a competitive squad with great defensive energy and each guy plays for the next.

What has it been being teammates with Mike Lewis? How much fun is it getting put in great situations with the ball from him? I guess you couldn´t have asked for more being reunited with your ex teammate overseas?

Playing with my boy Mike has been great since we seen each last we last played with each other in college so we have a good understanding about how one another plays so it´s easy to communicate about what we see on the floor we feed off each other out there so as much as I’m looking for him he’s looking for me. It’s a blessing to that we linked up here in Europe to play in a different environment compared to college.

Let´s talk a bit about your game. You’re a 203cm forward. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

I don’t really know who i would compare my game to, but the bigs I have watched as a grew up playing basketball were Ben Wallace, Tim Duncan and KG. As transitioned into the European style of play I watched a lot of Kyle Hines and older Euroleague greats. I really love everything about the game and when I watch a good player I look at how I can implement things that I like into my own game.

You have always been a solid scorer and sturdy rebounder, but also a great defender. Is it fair to say that you could be called a two way player?

I could agree. I became more of consistent scorer when I got to Europe. I think mainly because my game translates well to the European style of play on both sides of the ball. and my defense helps me transition into each season as far as getting adjusted early on.

Your also a very good passer. How much do you enjoy passing out of the post?

As much as I like to score, I love finding my teammates and getting them going because it keeps the defense true while also opening things up for myself. I also enjoy it because it shows how I see the floor and impact the game in other ways and it´s something that has always been a part of my game. I get just as excited when I get assists and others score just as much when I score.

You were the top shot blocker in Austria and Hungry getting 7 in a game last season. Where do you still want to go with your defensive game? Your already so good? What goals do you still have?

I´m always working on guarding more on the perimeter when we find ourselves in switch situations during the game. Being able to disrupt teams defensively in different ways along with blocking shots helps my team be successful.

Last season you played with Kometa Kaposvari KK (Hungary-A Division) averaging 15.2ppg, Reb-3 (8.5rpg), 2.3apg, 1.3spg, Blocks-1 (1.9bpg), FGP: 61.0%, 3PT: 18.8%, FT: 70.2%. What kind of an experience was it and what did you enjoy most about your stay there?

Last year being my second professional season, was quite interesting to say the least. The team was successful early on and then hit some bumps on the road later on. The strength of the league was good along with the style of play. But what stood out the most was the environment the fans brought. They brought energy every game depending exactly where you were and it made games even more fun.

You played your rookie season with BC GGMT Vienna (Austria-BSL) averaging 11.3ppg, 7.5rpg, 1.7apg, 1.6spg, Blocks-3 (1.6bpg), FGP: 66.0%, 3PT-2 (50.0%), FT: 64.4%. What do you remember being your wake up call where you knew that you were very far away from home?

My most notable “I´m not at home” moment would be when I went to finish my visa papers and trying to find my way through the city and not knowing German. I ended up getting off the wrong stop on the tram and was an hour in the opposite direction.

You won the double as a rookie. How crazy was that? What was special about these group of guys and what will you never forget?

Going double crown year one was like a breath of fresh air. I was the youngest on the team and what made it so special for me was I had great vets around me such as Andre Jones and Jason Detrick they really helped me adjust to the lifestyle and gave me great tips that still stick with me to this day.

What memories will you always have of Austrian legend Enis Murati who won 8 titles in Austria? How vital was his leadership for the success?

Enis helped that team a lot when it came to things about the league and the things that certain teams did.

You began your NCAA career at the The University of Akron (NCAA) playing 19 games averaging 1.7ppg, 1.1rpg. You had a tough freshman year. Could you get anything positive from the experience?

I wouldn´t consider it to be a tough freshman year, I was coming into a winning program and playing behind a player who ended up winning Player of the year that season. So there was only room for growth. That year I was a sponge soaking up game from my older teammates and taking advantage of the resources that were at my hands.

You then had a stellar career at University of Duquesne (NCAA) playing 77 NCAA games from 2018-2021. You had many great games there like against VMI, Marshall and George Washington. How did head coach Keith Dambrot groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

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Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Marcus Weathers?

Me and Marcus haven’t played 1s I think ever in our time together at Duquesne

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Kwan Cheatham, Jimond Ivey, Daniel Utomi, Tavian Dunn-Martin, Maceo Austin

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Kobe, Jordan, Shaq, Bron

Who is your GOAT and why?

My goat is for sure Kobe, when I was younger I admired his love for the game and watching him play gives you different perspective on the game.

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone?

I did not happen to watch it because I feel every classic movie does not need a sequel.

Thanks Michael for the chat.