Luke Petrasek (206-PF-1995, college: Columbia) is a 29 year old 206cm forward from East Northport, New York that also has the Polish citizenship. Currently he is playing his eighth professional season and fourth in for Anwil Wloclawek (Poland-OBL). He also has gained experience in Germany, Russia and the G-League. He began his basketball career at East Northport high school. He then played at Columbia (NCAA) from 2013-2017 playing a total of 113 NCAA games. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Fiba Europe Cup game against the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg.

Thanks Luke for talking to germanhoopos.com. Your playing your fourth season with Anwil Wloclawek (Poland-OBL).The club won back to back league titles in 2018 and 2019. It won the Fiba Europe cup a few years ago. How big is the desire to win in this organization?

The desire to win in this organization is everything. This club has a history of success and winning culture, they expect our best every season. So there of course always expectations to be on the top whether in the Polish league or any European league. We have had a lot of team success in my four years here and we plan to continue this

What is so special about this years team? Is the mix of players? How do you explain the great chemistry so early? It brought in more than 10 new players?

Yes this year we had a lot of changes in players, as only 3 players remained from the previous season. But I think that everyone who has come in has adopted the winning mentality and of course are very talented. We push each other in practice which then translates to the games. Everyone on our team wants to and expects to win games.

The club has a great group of bigs. How is the daily competition level in practice for you with guys like Funderburk and Jackson just to name a few?

The competition in practice is really great every day. Our group of bigs are super talented and very athletic which is a great combination. We have daily battles between ourselves and also have good chemistry and relationships off the court.

You have put up great stats every season since you joined Anwil. How you explain the consistency? Is it a mix of the coaching staff and your work ethic?

I definitely think it can be attributed to both. My coaches here have put me in a good position to succeed but also I have developed a very consistent lifestyle. The statistics and winning is only the product of the things I do every day. I try to do all the right things each day and after multiple years this, plus hard work success will be there.

You were fortunate to paly with Polish legend Szymon Szewczyk in his last season. That guy played for Alba Berlin 20 years ago. What memories will you always have of him and how did he help you most that first season in Poland?

Szymon is an amazing guy who was a great vet for me when I came into Anwil. He always cared about all the guys and did whatever he could to be there for us. I still see him regularly out here and he has for sure become one of my closest friends. I always will have good things to say about him.

You won 2 international titles back to back with the ENBL and Fiba Europe cup. That is an incredible feat. Not many guys can say they have done that. What was so special about the ENBL winning team?

That ENBL winning team was an amazing team truly. I really loved playing basketball with all those guys and of course a lot of them have gone on to see success in their careers. We had super close relationships off the court, and a lot of fun on the court. I still talk with a lot of them even now 3 years later.

You saved your best for last that season netting 25 points in the final against Siauliai. Was that your greatest basketball moment up to that point in your life?

I would say personally leading up to that, my “greatest basketball moment” was signing an Exhibit 10 contract with the Charlotte Hornets. Being able to be a part of NBA training camp at 22 years old was an amazing experience and such a great time in my life. It was a lifelong dream to put on my own NBA jersey.

In the next season you won the Fiba Europe Cup. What do you remember being so special about that team?

That FIBA Europe Cup championship team was also a great group of guys. We had the MVP of that year Phil Greene, who was always bringing a good energy to the gym. We also had a lot of the same Polish players from the previous year so the chemistry was definitely there. And we added Victor Sanders and Malik Williams who were great for our team. Everyone on that team was special and great guys, I wish I could name everyone.

You played the 2020-2021 season with BC Nizhny Novgorod (Russia-VTB United League) averaging 5.0ppg, 3.2rpg; Band in the BCL: averaging 6.2ppg, 3.0rpg, FGP: 58.3%, 3PT-2 (55.0%), FT: 63.6%. How challenging was the VTB league? Was that the best pro league that you have played in overseas?

That was definitely a great league there were a ton a really talented players and Euroleague teams. I guess I would say play in VTB and BCL that year was probably the best competition I’ve faced overseas.

What memories do you have of playing then powerhouse team CSKA Moscow. You lost one game 85-84 and had 7 points and 5 rebounds.

For sure they were a very strong team and one of the best in all of Europe at that time. I always like playing against great competition so I prepared for this match the same as any other game. But of course that team had a lot of talent.

What memories will you always have of teammate Andrey Vorontsevich? This guy is a legend. He played 14 seasons with CSKA Moscow reached 6 Euroleague final 4´s and has won more than 20 titles. Was he like a mentor for you?

We only got to spend about half of the season together but he was a good addition for our team at that time and helped us a lot. He gave me some good advice on the court and definitely tried to help me in the best ways he could to improve my game.

You played your second pro season with the Giessen 46ers (Germany-BBL, starting five): 11 games: 10.9ppg, 4.5rpg, 1.4apg, 1.3bpg, FGP: 51.4%, 3PT: 45.7%, FT: 91.3%. How tough was this season? You had a long injury. What did you learn from this season?

That season had some challenges for me with my injury for sure but all in all I think that was one of my favorite pro seasons. That group of guys we had was special and even if we weren’t super successful in the win column, we all grew as players. To this day I spend time with and speak to most of those teammates. I battled in a playoff series against Stephen Brown last season, he was our PG in Germany. That was a great year for me and I truly enjoyed that club.

What memories will you always have of big John Bryant? Was he one of the more difficult guys to shove out of the paint area?

Big John was an awesome vet for me that season, he was always lightening the mood around the guys and locker room. But also he definitely cared about us as we were all “younger” guys that season. He is an insanely talented guy and I would love to run into John again but unfortunately we haven’t crossed paths since that season. One of the funniest teammates I’ve had as a professional for sure

You 2 seasons with the Greensboro Swarm having identical stats each season with 6/4. What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie in the G-League?

I don’t know if I would say that I had one specific “wake up call” but I would say the athleticism, size and speed of almost every player in the G League was very high. So it was for sure a step up from college and I had to begin to adjust certain aspects of my game for these reasons. But I really liked how professional the facilities were in Greensboro. Getting paid to solely focus on basketball was amazing after coming from college, and I knew this was definitely the career path for me.

How tough is it in general to convince coaches and GM´s of your talent? You averaged 21 minutes per game, but having played 30-33 minutes would of improved that NBA opportunity. How competitive did you feel was the whole process?

I think this whole process is actually the most competitive. You have every player with the same goals and dreams as your trying to compete for 1-2 spots on each team. So in each league there could be about 25-35 people with jobs at your position. This means you have to do all the right things to have advantages. I let my game on the court speak for itself as well as holding my character and morals to a very high standard and treating everyone with respect. And I like to believe that has also brought me success in my career and life.

You had many solid games. What was your fondest moment in the G-League?

I would say one of my fondest moments was playing in the Long Island Nets arena in front of my whole family, or playing in Greensboro against the Westchester Knicks. In that game I guarded my best friend Nate Hickman, and it was a truly amazing moment because we always manifested playing pro together when we were in college. And now that game it had come to life for us.

You played at Columbia University (NCAA) from 2013-2017. Your game took off in your last 2 seasons. How did your game grow there?

My game grew due to my hard work and love for the game of basketball. I never let anything hold me back from my dreams and put so much work and time into improving that I had no other choice but to be successful. When you put so much work energy and effort into what you love, things find a way of manifesting for you and doors will open to let your dreams happen.

You were teammates for 3 seasons with German world champion Maodo Lo. What memories do you have of him and if someone had told you in 2016 that he and Germany would beat USA at the 2023 World cup and win Gold what would you have thought?

Maodo was living in the room next to me at Columbia for a few years and we always hung out or just had some good laughs. He is a great guy, a real professional and we all looked up to him when we were there. He really paved the way for guys like me as he left before us and became a pro, did NBA summer league, made real good money from his love of basketball. This all showed us it was possible and we really did look up to him. Now we have a great relationship still and I would always text him to hang out if we were in the same city. If you told me this info, I would say I believe it because Lo was always deserving of his successes, he treats the game the right way.

In your second season you lost a crazy defensive battle against NCAA powerhouse Kentucky 56-46 and played against many future NBA players. You lost the game, but keeping them to 56 points was amazing.

Yes it was a great experience to play against the number 1 team in the nation at the time, of course I’m really proud of how our team battled and it is definitely an unforgettable game.

How did head coaches Kyle Smith and Jim Engles prepare and groom you best for a professional career?

I would say Kyle Smith taught me a lot of great lessons off the court which helped me be a great professional. He helped me realize the importance of being on time, being prepared mentally, being tough physically and so on. Jim Engles gave me the freedom and confidence my senior year to allow me to grow into the player I was ready to be and take that into the professional level.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Jeff Coby?

I would say that you will not be able to find any evidence of me losing a 1v1 to Jeff. So I guess by that logic I always won. But Jeff and I had an amazing on and off court relationship, one of my best friends to this day.

Who is the toughest player that you faced in the NCAA that went to the NBA?

I would say guarding Adreian Payne, while i was an 18 year old freshman in my 3rd or 4th ever college game was the toughest match up I’ve had. Michigan State at that time was #1 in the nation.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

5 best teammates all time would probably be Kamil Laczynski, Grant Mullins, Victor Sanders, Nate Hickman, Tim Köpple.

What is your personal NBA Mount Rushmore of past or present heads?

I would have to say my Mount Rushmore is Lebron James, Shaq, Kevin Durant and Michael Jordan.

What is your personal opinion of the neverending debate of who is the greatest of all-time Jordan or Lebron?

I would say Lebron is the greatest basketball player of all time. In my opinion he is just a complete all around player who has dominated the game for over 20 years straight. There are plenty more reasons why and facts I have to back this up, but I will save that for a personal debate.

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

I would have to say this question made me laugh because it is extremely random, but no I have not seen the sequel. If you’re saying they should have left it alone then I guess I won’t be racing to watch it on Netflix in my free time.

Thanks Luke for the chat