Thomas Miles (190-G, college: WPU) is a 190cm guard playing his rookie season overseas with ZuS 59 HammStars. He began his basketball career at Jefferson High School and then played a season at the College of Southern Idaho (JUCO) averaging 6.8ppg, 2.2rpg, FGP: 38.3%, 3PT: 32.1%, FT: 71.7%. He then played a season with Midland College (JUCO) averaging 12.5ppg, 3.1rpg, 2.1apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 42.4%, 3PT: 31.7%, FT: 79.2%. He played a game with Wayland Baptist University (NAIA) before finishing at Warner Pacific University (NAIA) averaging 9.4ppg, 3.0rpg, 1.1apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 42.7%, 3PT: 36.7%, FT: 86.3% and in his last season averaged 19.2ppg, 5.7rpg, 2.0apg, 2.3spg, FGP: 57.9%, 3PT: 37.8%, FT: 88.3%. He got his first pro experience with the Vancouver Volcanoes (TBL) averaging 16.9ppg, 4.6rpg, 2.2apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 57.4%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 83.6%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Thomas for talking to germanhoops.com. You played at 2 Juco schools and 2 NAIA schools. You have been paying your dues for years and now it will continue in Germany´s 4th division Regionalliga. How big is your heart to just keep grinding for the game you love?

My heart for the game is very deep, but I also think once you fall in love with the grind/game it makes everything else so easy.

How massive is your chip on your shoulder? Have you always been an underdog? Is your mentality at a different level because of what you have experienced in your basketball life?

I’ve always played with a chip on my shoulder coming out of high school I wasn’t highly recruited like these other guys I wasn’t able to be a 1 and done so the grind and the chip it’s always been there and it’s just keeps on growing. I got to prove to everyone that doubted me.

Congrats on signing with German Regionalliga team Hamm Stars. How blessed do you feel to get a job? I mean it isn´t self evident for guys from Juco and NAIA getting opportunities overseas like you have?

It definitely is a blessing whenever you can continue to play and thrive in any sport you love to play so I just can’t thank god enough with what he continues to do for me, a lot of people are slept on and not noticed enough because the route they took. Which sucks but it just makes the grind so much better.

What do you know in general about the country Germany and it´s basketball? Your ex coach Ty Harrelson has made a name here as well as JJ Culver and Collin Malcolm who played at one of your former schools.

I don’t know too much of anything about Germany but I’m really excited to go learn, my old coach Ty Harrelson and I had a few talks about his time in Germany and he loved it over there so I’m just ready to experience it for myself.

What was the deciding moment that allowed you to sign with the Hamm Stars?

After talking to coach Ivan, he made my decision really easy and he’s wants the same thing I want and that’s to win.

How did the talks go with head coach Ivan Rosic? What did you enjoy most about his basketball philosophy?

From what we talked about everything sounds lovely and he trusting me I can’t stop thanking him with the opportunity that he is giving me.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 190cm guard. If you had to compare your game to a NBA player who would best fit the description?

I’m not sure who I play like I watch a lot of basketball so I take little things from every player and implement it to my game. But I don’t have a specific player that I can compare to.

You’re a player that is an allrounder. What do you feel like is your biggest strength on the court?

Playing defense I’ve been known for my defensive skill since I was a kid and I’m eager to play defense.

You are a lethal scorer. Would you already describe yourself as a 3 level scorer?

I’d I had to describe myself yes I think I am a 3 level scorer that can also lock up someone´s best player.

You made big strides with your three point shooting since going to Warner Pacific University. You were in the upper 30% and in the TBL eclipsed 40%. Do you see yourself being able to make an impact right away with Hamm with your shooting?

I’m trying to make an impact once I get there, I want my presence known, and want Hamm city to know they got them a baller.

Your very athletic and are an ambitious defender. How would you describe your defensive game at the moment and what kind of defender do you still want to become?

My defensive skills are good but they definitely can get better and I do think they will. I want to become like a Jrue Holiday he’s a lock down defender.

On what areas of your game are you working on most now so you can continue to grow as a player?

This past summer I been working on a lot of different thinks but one key point me and my trainer was working on have been pick and rolls slowing my pace down and picking the defense apart.

You began your college career at the College of Southern Idaho (JUCO) averaging 6.8ppg, 2.2rpg, FGP: 38.3%, 3PT: 32.1%, FT: 71.7%. What memories do you have of this your second season after not playing your first season. What did you learn about yourself there in that 2 year span?

I have nothing but great memories about CSI that had a great skill and coaching staff when I was there, what I learned about myself was I was never going to give up. I’m not a quitter.

You then played at Midland College (JUCO) averaging 12.5ppg, 3.1rpg, 2.1apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 42.4%, 3PT: 31.7%, FT: 79.2%. How important was head coach Patrick Raferty in your development there?

A lot of people I’ve played with at Midland will probably not agree with me, but I believe Coach Rafferty got us in the best of shape regardless, if we liked it or not, he prepared as well to play a full game.

Every player I have interviewed that played Juco have said that Juco was a real grind, but one that they wouldn´t have missed for the world. How was it for you?

It was a real grind but it also was a slow grind not something that was just going to happen overnight. You had to go through a lot of obstacles going through juco but I loved every piece of it, it made me who I am today.

You then moved to Wayland Baptist University (NAIA) but Covid hit and cancelled the season after 1 game where you dropped 22 points. How tough was this season for you personally. What positives could you still get being there and being around Ty Harrelson?

I wish the stuff that happen down there didn’t happen I loved playing for coach Ty Harrelson who is a great coach but also treated us like his own, staying there what could have happened was the team that coach put together we would have made a lot of noise.

You then moved to Warner Pacific University (NAIA) averaging 9.4ppg, 3.0rpg, 1.1apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 42.7%, 3PT: 36.7%, FT: 86.3% and in your second season averaged 19.2ppg, 5.7rpg, 2.0apg, 2.3spg, FGP: 57.9%, 3PT: 37.8%, FT: 88.3%. How did your game grow in your last season?

Between these two seasons I put in a lot of work after my first year at Warner, I was also going through some things so it was hard for me but that summer I worked harder than I ever worked but it’s not done now I’m still working.

You had many great games there like against Bushnell and Oregon Tech. What was your fondest moment on the court there?

There was a lot of games I loved at Warner but if I had to pick I’d say our first round playoff game against Oregon Tech because they had just beat us like 4 days prior to that game and we went to their house and won when it counted.

How did head coach Jamayne Potts groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

He just trusted me and put me in the best situation that I could be in. We always had talks and were watching film and figuring out what is it that I could do better and help the team so he did a lot but more of it was him trusting me and me trusting him.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Isaac Etter?

Me and Isaac hardly played 1 on 1 but I’m sure he will tell you who won majority of the games

You got your first pro experience with the Vancouver Volcanoes (TBL) averaging 16.9ppg, 4.6rpg, 2.2apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 57.4%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 83.6%. What kind of an experience was that? Was it tough playing with so many guys playing for their stats?

It wasn’t tough at all I knew what I had to do and I did it. Regardless of where and who I’m playing I’m going to play my style of basketball anywhere I don’t shy away from no one.

Who is the best player that you ever faced on a court in your life that reached the NBA?

I’ve played Payton Pritchard in the les Schwab invitational (LSI)

Please name your 5 favorite teammates of all-time?

Charles jones

Roberto Gittens

Myles Warren

Isaac Etter

Derrick Ogechi

What is your personal NBA mount rushmore of past or present heads?

Stephen Curry, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson

Who is your GOAT and why?

Kobe Bryant is my goat and because the way he approached games/practices and how he played was just fun to watch.

Thanks Thomas for the chat.