Nighael Ceaser (202-F-2000, college: Texas St.) is a 24 year old 202cm forward from Missouri City Texas playing his second pro season and first with ERA Basket Nymburk (NBL). He played his rookie season with Pyrinto Tampere (Finland-Korisliiga) averaging 14.3ppg, Reb-1 (11.5rpg), 2.5apg, Steals-5 (1.8spg), Blocks-1 (2.6bpg), FGP: 59.1%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 73.5% and with the Rockhampton Rockets (Australia-NBL One) averaging 24.6ppg, 10.0rpg, 2.6apg, 1.8spg, 1.6bpg, FGP: 64.6%, 3PT: 31.3%, FT: 57.4%. He began his basketball career at Ridge Point High School and then played 2 seasons with Collin County College (JUCO) averaging 9.6ppg, 8.6rpg, FGP: 55.2%, 3PT: 31.6%, FT: 71.3% and 14.8ppg, 10.8rpg, 1.5apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 55.2%, 3PT: 23.5%, FT: 64.4%. He then played more seasons at Texas State University at San Marcos (NCAA) averaging 5.2ppg, 2.6rpg, FGP: 54.1%, FT: 67.6%, 8.5ppg, 4.9rpg, FGP: 58.4%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 64.0% and 9.6ppg, 6.5rpg, 1.0apg, 1.1bpg, FGP: 57.8%, 3PT: 22.6%, FT: 72.7%. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Basketball Champions League game against Rasta Vechta.

Thanks Nighael for talking to germanhoops.. playing your second professional season with the ERA Basketball Nymburk (Czech Republic-NBL). Before we talk about asketball please explain how your first name came about? Nigel is the usual spelling, but yours is different. Did your parents have something special in mind for that spelling?

My dad name is Michael so they replaced the “M” with “N” and “C” with “G”

What ha sit been like coming from Houston to Nymburk? Last season you already had a small place and now Nymburk which is tiny. But the capital Prague isn´t far behind. Have you gotten used to the quainter lifestyle or are you in Prague a lot?

It has been a great transition I just enjoy playing basketball. I am fine with the “quainter” lifestyle, I am a simple person, but I have visited Prauge a bit I think it’s nice the bigger city feel reminds me of home.

Your playing a BCL game against German team Rasta Vechta. What do you know in general about the country Germany and it´s basketball? Have you had friends ball in Germany?

I do not know much about Germany as a country but I am learning as I go, but I do know the country is talented in basketball. I do not have any friends there.

Are you aware that Germany is world champion at the moment?

I was not aware of that, I saw USA win the Olympics.

What has it been like playing for ERA Basketball Nymburk (Czech Republic-NBL). It is almost always an automatic for this organization to win titles.

Playing for ERA basketball Nymburk has been fun since the first day. The atmosphere is winning basketball and everything that goes into winning. I’ve heard they have won a lot but now I see why. I enjoy the playing style, my teammates, and all of staff.

What has been special for you personally so far playing for this organization. How do you feel that winning culture most?

The special part is the winning and bonding with my teammates and coaches. I feel it most when we are not playing games, as in how we handle everything before practice during practice and after. There is great preparation, dedication, and rehabilitation.

You have needed no adjustment period coming from the weaker Finish league. You have solid stats in the minutes you get. Has your good play surprised you a bit? I mean you moved up levels and started to be consistent from the start.

My good play has not surprised me, I rise to any competition put in front of me and excel.

The team has many talented players and are deep. Plus you have JT Shumate at your position. What exactly is your role on the team?

I am in the same position as Christian Bishop, but I believe my role on the team revolves around energy, defense, and using my IQ to be in the right place at the right time.

You have proven that your very efficient in the minutes you get. How much of your IQ can one credit for you being able to perform so well?

I credit my IQ to being a big part of my game. It leads me to not only rely on my athletic abilities but beat my opponent with my mind breaking down the game as well.

What is it like battling Christian Bishop on a daily basis? How do you guys make each other better?

I love competition and I love going against someone I have to be locked in going against. We make each other better by using our skills which are similar but also different in aspects to prepare for other opponents such as my speed vs his Smoothness with the ball

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 202cm forward that likes Jimmy Butler and Paul George. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

I would compare myself to Obi Toppin with my athletic ability physically but also Jimmy Butler’s mentality and will to win

How would you describe your game? Is it fair to say you’re a player that can make an impact at both ends?

I would describe my game as a player that excels with whatever the coach needs being versatile. I am a player that can make an impact on both ends yes.

Talk about your strengths. What do you feel is your biggest strength on the court? Versatility has to be one of those?

My biggest strength in this system is my versatility, quickness, and speed. Also being a smart player to be in the right position when needed.

You never took a lot of three´s and haven’t taken one yet. Do you hope to develop more of a three pointer down the road and add it to your arsenal?

I have a three point shot, and I am confident in it but I focus on what the team needs me to do and push for that. In the meantime I still work on shooting to be ready when the time comes.

You’re a very good defender. Talk a little about where your defensive game is now and to what level do you still want to bring it to?

My favorite part of the game is defense. My defense level at the moment is good but I want to bring it higher to where I can stop all positions and take out the best player on the opposing team regardless of the position.

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

I am constantly working on my footwork, shooting and ball handling when I am in the gym on my time.

Last season you split time with Pyrinto Tampere (Finland-Korisliiga) averaging 14.3ppg, Reb-1 (11.5rpg), 2.5apg, Steals-5 (1.8spg), Blocks-1 (2.6bpg), FGP: 59.1%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 73.5%

and the Rockhampton Rockets (Australia-NBL One) averaging 24.6ppg, 10.0rpg, 2.6apg, 1.8spg, 1.6bpg, FGP: 64.6%, 3PT: 31.3%, FT: 57.4%. You went from cold to warm. What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?

My wake-up call as a rookie overseas was my first time experiencing real snow in Finland and having to adjust to a different style of living and dressing coming from Texas’s warm weather. Basketball has always been Basketball.

You really had a fine rookie season in Finland with many many double doubles and 2 games with 6 blocks. How did your game grow there?

My game grew in Finland with my confidence and trust in my ability that I can make a good career out of this.

How was your Australia experience? Again you had a great season. What was it like being teammates with veteran Xavier Ford? Was he like a mentorfor you?

My Australia experience was great from the atmosphere, the weather, the fans and teammates. I got to see kangaroos and koalas for the first time. Xavier was and still is a great friend to me. He was the person I’d go work on my game with, learn from, and spend time with off the court. He is definitely a great mentor for me.

You began your college career at Collin County College (JUCO) averaging 9.6ppg, 8.6rpg, FGP: 55.2%, 3PT: 31.6%, FT: 71.3% and 14.8ppg, 10.8rpg, 1.5apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 55.2%, 3PT: 23.5%, FT: 64.4%. Every guy I have interviewed that played JUCO said it was a grind, but an experience they wouldn´t have traded for anything. How was it for you?

I would say the same thing. JUCO was enjoyable for me but at the same time it wasn’t a place I seen to get too comfortable in keeping the “get out” mentality. I made lifelong bonds with teammates and coaches I still cherish.

How did head coach Jim Sigona help you mature and be prepared for an NCAA career best?

Coach Signoa helped me a lot. As coming from high school I did not start really playing basketball until the 10th grade. So I took that time with him learning the fundamentals and the inside of the game. I believe that’s where I learned a lot of my IQ for the game.

You then played at Texas State University at San Marcos (NCAA) form 2020-2023 and made strides in your last 2 years. What kind of a player did you become there?

At Texas State I learned the art of hard work and the mentality of every little thing matters. Texas state taught me how to be able to live my life but also make time for the game I love making sacrifices to achieve whatever goal I set out.

You had many great games against Georgia South and Coastal. What was your fondest moment on the court?

My fondest moment was winning the conference championships back to back.

How did head coach Terrence Johnson groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

No comment

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Nate Martin?

There was no competition between us just a focus of getting better I learned from him as he learned from me.

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

Marcus Sasser

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Mason Harrell, Taz Sherman, Xavier Ford, Luther Muhammed, Shelby Adams

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, Hakeem Olajuwon, Steph Curry

Who is your GOAT and why?

Lebron James

Thanks Nigheal for the chat.