Pic credit Itzehoe Eagles

Mason Vires (182-PG-1996, college: CSC, agency: One Motive Sports) is a 27 year old 182cm guard from Michigan playing his fourth professional season and first in Germany with Pro B team Itzehoe Eagles. Last season he played with KB Teuta Durres (Albania-Superliga) averaging 17.1ppg, 5.1rpg, 4.3apg, 2.1spg, FGP: 56.1%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 62.0%. The season before he played with Hibernians (Malta-BOV League D1) averaging 26.0ppg, 7.9rpg, 3.8apg, 2.0spg, FGP: 45.8%, 3PT: 32.3%, FT: 74.0%. He played his rookie season with Hibs Sen (Malta-BOV League D!) averaging 28.0ppg, 6.3rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 48.7%, 3PT: 35.0%, FT: 79.3%. He began his basketball career at Oxford high school. He then played at 2 Juco schools with Oakland Community College (JUCO) averaging 15.2ppg, 4.3rpg, 3.1apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 43.3%, 3PT: 31.3%, FT: 70.1% and with Morton Community College (JUCO) averaging 17.8ppg, 4.7rpg, 3.9apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 45.9%, 3PT: 28.3%, FT: 67.6%. He finished at Culver Stockton College (NAIA) averaging 13.6ppg, 3.9rpg, 2.7apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 43.2%, 3PT: 30.9%, FT: 75.7% and as a senior averaged 19.4ppg, 4.5rpg, 3.8apg, 2.1spg, FGP: 41.7%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 77.1%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Mason for talking to germanhoops.com. Welcome to Itzehoe. After playing in Malta and Albania, you now are playing in Germany for Itzehoe. How excited are you?

I’m very excited for the opportunity to play in Germany, I’m looking forward to building chemistry with the team and making a push during the second half of the season to make some noise in our division. God willing we are able to stay healthy and follow Coach Timo’s game plan then we will be able to make a push for the playoffs as well.

Did you get any tips from your ex teammate Avery Sullivan who is also playing in Germany in the Pro B?

That’s my guy, I spoke to him every week if not every other week throughout the course of the season. We played against each other in Malta and together in Albania so we’ve developed a good relationship. He mentioned the marketing behind the Barmer league and I’m very excited to get things started. We call ourselves the International Good Guys.

You won titles in Malta and Albania and have that winning gene, Did you always have this? You also won titles in school years ago?

I’m a very competitive person, I think it comes from my mom. Winning in Malta taught me about the importance of cup games overseas and how serious the community takes them. Any time I step onto the court my objective is to win. I was able to be a part of a couple teams that won certain titles as well growing up ranging from high school to college.

Itzehoe is a club fighting to remain in the Pro B. Do you feel any pressure and having to be a type of savior?

I want to come in and lead by example, I know that if I can help mold the mentality of priding ourselves on hard work anything is possible.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 182cm point guard. If you had to compare your game to a NBA player who would best fit the description?

I don’t believe I have a fair description of one player that I model my game after, basketball is all I’ve ever watched since I was in 3rd grade. I’m the type of player that really looks at every type of player whether it’s NBA, Overseas, or even WNBA. I like to take certain moves, mannerisms, or approach and add them within my game.

You are a scoring point guard. Is that a fair assessment. How big is versatility in your game? You know how to fill the stat sheet really well.

At the end of the day, I just want to win. I pride myself on my work ethic and professionalism. I know how to be a part of a winning culture but I also have been around losing cultures as well for example my last year at a university. Every situation brings lessons and experiences, I am a team player. I will do whatever it takes to win. Whether the coach wants me to facilitate or if he needs me to be aggressive leading the team in scoring. I’m more than just a scorer, I take the challenge of guarding opponents best players as well.

Last season in Albania you averaged your highest assists at 4,3 in your career. How developed is your playmaking. Do you feel able to produce somewhere in the range of 5-7 assists in the next years if a team wants more playmaking?

Playing with Teuta gave me a new experience of team basketball and structure within a system. Coach held players to a high standard and we had to follow the game plan. It’s been a goal of mine to average within the range of 5-7 assists throughout a season.

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

I enjoy the challenge of having to guard the best players, I’m a 2 way player. I want to be the hardest worker on the court every time I tie my shoes up. I have a lot to learn in my young career but I am a sponge when it comes to the game of basketball. Personally, I believe I need to get better when it comes to taking charges throughout games. Continue learning how to read passing lanes to help my steal average as well.

On what area´s of your game are you working on most now so you can continue to move up the basketball ladder?

I’m a student of the game. During the off-season I have a rigorous schedule when it comes to workouts and conditioning. I train twice a day for 6 days out of the week. Sunday is my active recovery day where I really focus and tune into what my body needs. I think the biggest thing is staying consistent in all areas. Master the fundamentals and continue adding more and more each year. Judging from previous seasons and looking statistically how can I do better. For instance, my free throw percentage in Albania was the lowest in my career. That’s a mental lapse on my end and has to improve. 3PT Percentage is something that as the game of basketball evolves will be huge when it comes to teams looking for a point guard that can come in and facilitate while also knock down the open shots.

Last season you played with KB Teuta Durres (Albania-Superliga) averaging 17.1ppg, 5.1rpg, 4.3apg, 2.1spg, FGP: 56.1%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 62.0%. You helped win the Super Cup. What will you always remember from this chip?

This was another opportunity to represent the best club in the country. Teuta had a great fan base and I’ve never forget the experience of what it felt like to play in the game. The camaraderie of the team was great and it showed as we were able to pull out in a narrow win.

Two seasons ago you played with Hibernians (Malta-BOV League D1) averaging 26.0ppg, 7.9rpg, 3.8apg, 2.0spg, FGP: 45.8%, 3PT: 32.3%, FT: 74.0%. You won the cup and MVP and MBA Shield and MVP. Talk a little about this season. Will it be hard to top a season like this?

I loved representing the Hibernians, I always appreciate Coach Mario for trusting me when it came down to big time game decisions. We developed a good relationship and trust on the court and it showed. Statistically, it showed clubs a taste of what I’m capable of. However, at the end of the day the game is a team sport. I want to win and that’s all that matters. Clubs will get a winner with a pedigree of hard work behind it whenever I represent them. Anything is possible, if I’ve done it once I know I can do it again if not better. The biggest thing is the longevity of the season and being tuned within your body physically, mentally, and spiritually. Work hard and trust God’s plans that he has for you.

Did you have extra energy and spirit coming into the season after Covid cancelled your rookie season with them?

I was very amped to get back on the court after Covid but it allowed me to learn a little bit before hand which I took as an advantage. In fact, my first game was actually cancelled due to Covid so I had to wait an additional two weeks just to play my first professional game.

How key was head coach Mario Tabone in your first steps as a pro player? He must of believed in you from day 1?

Coach Mario was one of my favorite coaches because he was a players coach. He takes care of his players and allows players to flourish within his system. He had a good relationship with my agents and me after day one.

After Oxford high school you played at Oakland Community College (JUCO) averaging 15.2ppg, 4.3rpg, 3.1apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 43.3%, 3PT: 31.3%, FT: 70.1%, It is rare for guys to play at 2 Juco schools but you did that. How vital was this first step in your JUCO career?

After my freshman year, I made a decision that suited me best for the future. Attending Morton College offered me an opportunity to learn from Brandon Watkins who had a very big resume from playing in college, overseas, and coaching with big time programs.

You then went to Morton Community College (JUCO) averaging 17.8ppg, 4.7rpg, 3.9apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 45.9%, 3PT: 28.3%, FT: 67.6% and winning the ISCC title. What do you remember being the most difficult hurdle in attaining this chip?

Coach Watkins took a position soon after I arrived to school so we had to run team practices and conditioning while the school searched for a new coach early before the season. The biggest thing was getting our team to buy into the coaches philosophy at first and trusting his game plan. Morton taught me so many things and it was by far one of my favorite college seasons if not favorite.

Every player that I have interviewed that played JUCO have stated that it was a tough experience, but one they wouldn´t have traded anything for. How was it for you after seeing 2 different schools?

Juco is a grind. I live by the mantra embrace the grind so it was the best route for me. Junior college teaches you the importance of being a student athlete because everything matters. You could have the opportunity to leave after one year but everything has to be in check. Grades, character, and film. It’s easy for players to lose focus and lose opportunities because they don’t have the right approach for the whole school year.

You then finished at Culver Stockton College (NAIA) averaging 13.6ppg, 3.9rpg, 2.7apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 43.2%, 3PT: 30.9%, FT: 75.7% and as a senior averaged 19.4ppg, 4.5rpg, 3.8apg, 2.1spg, FGP: 41.7%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 77.1%. You made a massive jump in your senior year. How did your game grow in those 2 years?

I showcased what I was capable of during my sophomore year as an All-American but I tore my meniscus and had surgery 2 weeks into my junior year. However, I returned to the court 3 weeks post surgery due to my discipline and consistency within rehab 3-4 hours per day. I started every game at Culver-Stockton during that and was the only player to do so. I shared the court with a senior guard at that time and we struggled to find the best chemistry at times. However, after he graduated my role expanded more and I was ready for the opportunity. I learned from my junior year and my work ethic allowed me to flourish statistically proving I was one of the best during that year.

You had massive games in the NAIA like 36 points against Evangel or 31 points against Peru State. What was your fondest moment on the court?

I’ll never forget my buzzer beater 3 point shot that gave us the win over Mount Mercy and all of the students rushing the floor with joy and emotion.

How did head coach Aaron Hill groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Coach Hill had experience in Australia and was a very polished D2 player, he shared insights on what it took to get to that level.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Thaddeus Newby?

I would win during the one on one battles.

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

I’ve played a numerous amount of NBA players being from Michigan from Miles Bridges, Josh Jackson, Isiah Jackson, Jamal Cain, Kalin Lucas, Cassius Winston. Just a few names that have had an opportunity to play in the NBA.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Dominic Mitchell Orlando Fikes Thaddeus Newby Avery Sullivan Keith Dimech

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Michael Jordan Kobe Bryant Lebron James Stephan Curry

Who is your GOAT and why?

Kobe Bryant. Since day one, he was who I grew up watching and his mentality taught me the importance of approaching the game with a serious demeanor.

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

I haven’t seen it yet, but it’s hard to top a classic.

Thanks Mason for the chat.