Michael Laeky (201-F, college: CCC) is a 201cm forward from Texas that is a professional basketball player. He played his rookie season overseas with US Titans Yerevan (Armenia-A-League) averaging 11.5ppg, 8.3rpg, 2.0apg, 2FGP: 58.3%, 3PT: 28.9%, FT: 60.0%, in Feb.’25 moved to Lusavan (Armenia-A-League) averaging 18.6ppg, 7.8rpg, 2.2apg, FGP: 51.3%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 83.3%. He began his basketball career with Creating Young Minds Academy and then played at Sterling (NAIA) and Central Christian College (NAIA). He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball

Thanks Michael for talking to germanhoops.com Where are you at the moment and how is basketball life treating you at the moment?

Thank you for the interview! I’m currently back in my hometown Dallas, Texas, basketball this summer has been great. I’ve really been pushing myself in the gym and weight room to have a great second year.

How blessed are you to be a pro baller? You never averaged more than 2,0ppg in a NAIA season, but still got 2 jobs overseas last year?

I’m truly blessed beyond measure. In college I never really got the opportunity to show what I was capable of as a player, and once I got that opportunity as a pro I never looked back.

How tough does the grind of having a stable overseas career continue? You had a solid rookie season in Armenia, but are still unsigned for the 2025-2026 season. Why do you believe is that?

In sports there’s a lot of politics and I just try to control the things that I can control, and whoever decides to take a chance on me this season won’t regret it.

Do you feel your history of being an NAIA player and not have overwhelming stats have hurt you this off season?

I think it might have hurt me when I was first coming out of college, but now that I’ve proven I can play at the professional level it’s starting to become more irrelevant.

How key has Bayi Handy been in helping you progress in your overseas journey?

He’s been absolutely amazing! He’s very confident that I have the tools to be a successful player and now I have to continue to show that. I’m truly grateful for Mr. Handy and can’t wait to see what opportunities will come from his event!

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 201cm forward. If you had to compare your game to a NBA player who would best fit the bill?

There’s a lot of players that come to mind, but I think my best comparison would be Cameron Johnson of the Denver Nuggets. Like him I’m a 3 point shooter with great size that can also play great defense and rebound.

You’re a player that fills the stat sheet very well. How big is versatility a part of your game?

Versatility is a big part of my game. Before being a versatile player was popular, I always tried to expand my game when I was a younger player. Because of that I’m able to play the 2-4 on the court and be a really nice asset for my team.

You are a very good three point shooter. How would you describe the development of your three pointer? You shot 40% in Armenia last season?

I’ve always worked on my 3 point shot since I was a kid. When I was younger coaches would try and keep me from shooting threes, this was before the game changed into players taking a lot of threes. But I would continue to work on my shot behind the scenes and would become a great 3 point shooter.

Talk a little about your defensive game. Does your versatility also play a role as a defensive player?

Oh absolutely! The same way I didn’t want to be limited as an offensive player also applied to the defensive end. I can play the 2-4 and I’m also able to guard the 2-4. I love hitting shots but getting stops on defense makes me just as happy.

On what areas of your game are you working on most now so that you can continue to improve your game?

I’m definitely trying to become a better ball handler. Once people know I can shoot the ball I want to be able to have a counter when they press up by creating my own shot or creating opportunities for my teammates.

Last season you split time in Armenia with US Titans Yerevan (Armenia-A-League) averaging 11.5ppg, 8.3rpg, 2.0apg, 2FGP: 58.3%, 3PT: 28.9%, FT: 60.0%, in Feb.’25 moved to Lusavan (Armenia-A-League) averaging 18.6ppg, 7.8rpg, 2.2apg, FGP: 51.3%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 83.3%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?

I would definitely say physicality. The referees over there let players play for the most part and aren’t quick to blow that whistle

What kind of experience was Armenia on and off the court? How did your game grow overseas?

Armenia was great and I’m forever grateful that they gave me an opportunity to start my career. I would say I grew as a player when it came to taking over games. I’ve always believed I’m the best shooter on every court I step on and I was able to show it this past season.

How enriching was it experiencing a new culture in Armenia? What did you enjoy most off the court?

It was such a great experience connecting with some of the locals over there. It was my first time outside the USA so it was a cool experience learning and being around their culture. My favorite thing to do off the court was definitely walking around the city and doing some sight seeing.

You played 3 seasons at Sterling College (NAIA) and played only 21 games. How tough were these 2 seasons? Did you get a fair chance there?

Those were some really tough years, to sit there and watch loss after loss and not get a fair shot to prove myself was definitely hard. But I always trusted God’s plan and his timing with everything and that’s why I’m here today.

What positives could you gain from Sterling? You minutes really fluctuated in your last season.

I learned to just control what I can control and to always stay ready. And in those games I got a shot and I showed what I could do.

You then played 1 season at Central Christian College (NAIA). What positives could you get from this season despite playing only 2 games?

That was a difficult year for me too and probably not the best fit for me, I had intended to redshirt that year. I would say I definitely became a better teammate that year.

How did head coach Adam Hooker groom and prepare you best for a pro career?

I had coaches outside of college that really helped prepare me for a pro career, I always was around pro guys in college so training and playing against them definitely helped prepare me.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Jahmiah Haynes?

Jamiah is a great player and easily one of the best players I’ve ever played with. We never played one on one but we had some great battles in practice when we were matched up in five on five.

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

I played against a lot of great players in college, a lot of players that went overseas but not the NBA. However in high school I did play against Terrence Ferguson who ended up being a first round draft pick in the 2017 NBA draft.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

This is such a tough question because I’ve played with so many great players. But if I had to narrow it to 5 these would be the players. In no order, Jaylon Scott, Jamiah Haynes, Moustapha Diene, Adam Hess, and Chris Whitten

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Lebron James, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Bill Russell

Who is your GOAT?

Lebron James is without a doubt the Goat.

Thanks Michael for the chat.