pic credit: FC Barca Basketball

Oscar Da Silva (206-F/C-1998, college: Stanford) is a 25 year old 206cm forward that was born in Munich, Germany and also has the Brazilian citizenship. Currently he is playing his second season with Spanish ACB club FC Barcelona. He began his basketball career at International Basketball Academy Munich and also played with MTSV Schwabing. He played at Stanford (NCAA) from 2017-2021. He then got further professional experience in Germany playing with the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg and a season with Alba Berlin winning 2 titles including cup MVP. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Euroleague game against FC Bayern Munich.

Thanks Oscar for talking to germanhoops.com. I remember interviewing you after the 2017 NBBL (U-19) final in Frankfurt where you lost to FC Bayern Munich. Since then so much has happened to you. Has time flown by?

Time really has flown by. It´s funny that I´m playing against FC Bayern Munich this week in Euroleague. Every now and then, I do think back to those youth days.

You have played so many games since the 2017 NBBL final. Can you still remember certain plays from that game?

I can remember certain plays. I remember having a fun team and really being at the high point of my youth career in the NBBL final in Frankfurt. It was a great time.

Your playing your second season with FC Barcelona. What does it mean for you to wear the Barca jersey?

It´s an honor. It is a great program with great coaches and players. It has been very enjoyable playing for this organization. It isn´t always easy. The expectations are huge and you compete against the best players on a daily basis. It is a big challenge. But I´m really happy to be here and hope for more to come.

You are a very educated young man. How have you taken in the culture of Barcelona?

It helps when I can speak the language. I feel very comfortable here. It is a great city and has great food. The weather is also nice. You feel comfortable very quickly here.

Your minutes and stats have risen in your second season. How has your game developed since day?

I think like I have been able to develop well. The only thing really missing is consistency. That is lacking at times. I hope it will come as I´m still relatively young.. I will continue to work hard and just keep going and not Stagnate.

What kind of a relationship have you had with experienced ex NBA veteran Jabari Parker? How has he helped you most on the court?

I have a good relationship with him. I´m always very impressed by his game, because he continues to do things on the court that you don´t see from other players in Europe. He has helped me most with my open court game. I try to soak in as much as possible from him and push the ball and make good decisions.

Ricky Rubio is back. What was the coolest pass you have witnessed from him since coming to FC Barcelona?

You notice right away how good of a passer he is. The best pass I saw from him so far was where he was between the free throw line and center court and he looked one way and made a back door pass. That was impressive

Do you feel like your game can develop better in the Euroleague than NBA?

That is hard to say. Players develop very well in the NBA because there are more younger players there than in the Euroleague. It´s hard to develop on well known teams in Europe where there is pressure to win. In the Euroleague are also older players that play more minutes. It is easier to develop IQ in the Euroleague than NBA.

You played a season with Alba Berlin. Every Player I have interviewed that was teammates with Luke Sikma have always raved about him. How do you remember him best?

His leadership was his biggest asset. I mean showing it the way he did isn´t self-evident in Europe. He was a player that always wanted to make his teammates better and always have everyone concentrated. His leadership was really impressive.

You were only a short time in Ludwigsburg. How vital was it getting thrown in cold water right away?

I learned a lot in a short time. It wasn´t always easy, but I was really thankful for the opportunity.

How vital was coach Robbie Scheinberg for your early basketball development? He saw quickly how talented you were and really sacrificed a lot to help you develop.

He set the cornerstone for my career. He really sacrificed a lot of time to help me develop. Time where he could have been more with his family and friends. He and Kamilo Rosenthal gave so much of their time and taught me to be disciplined.

You played at Stanford (NCAA) from 2017-2021. What kind of a player were you when you arrived and what kind of player when you left?

When I came, I played more outside and when I left I was more a position 5 which was a bit disappointing. I was a boy when I came and a young man when I left. I couldn´t have been in a better place than there in that time of my life.

What memories do you have battling Kezie Okpala. How did he make you better?

The first thing I remember from his game was his explosiveness. He was a good player and funny off the court

How have you followed the career of your brother Tristan Da Silva? How present are you in his life?

I´m his big brother and am always there for him. But what he has achieved in the NCAA is all him. Whenever he has needed advice, I have given him it. I´m very proud of how he has developed. I´m looking forward to where his basketball journey will go.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Zaire Williams?

I don´t think we ever played.

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

Evan Mobley and Aaron Holiday.

Thanks Oscar for the chat.