pic credit: Intime.gr

Tyler Wahl (206-F-2001, college: Wisconsin) is a 24 year old 206cm forward playing his second pro season and first with Panionios Athens. He played his rookie season with KK Zadar (Croatia-Premijer Liga) averaging 10.9ppg, RPG-5 (6.9), 2.5apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 57.9%, 3PT: 13.5%, FT: 59.9%; and in the Adriatic League averaging 10.4ppg, 5.5rpg, 2.9apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 58.5%, 3PT: 26.3%, FT: 60.7%. He began his basketball career with Lakeville North high school and then played at the University of Wisconsin (NCAA) 2019-2024 playing a total of 161 games. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Eurocup game against the Niners Chemnitz.

Thanks Tyler for talking to germanhoops.com. Your playing your second pro season overseas and first with Panionios Athens (Greece-GBL). What kind of an experience has it been playing in Greece?

It has been a great experience. We have a lot of great players and a great coach. I think that we can do a lot of great things with this team. I feel like we have great chemistry and will be able to win a lot of games if we can stick together and do what we have to do to win.

Hast it been like a culture shock for you coming from Zadar that had 70,000 people to Athens that has over 3,million inhabitants. Has it been a tough adjustment?

It´s not too big of an adjustment. Zadar was smaller, but I spent 5 years at Wisconsin which was smaller than Athens.

You had a solid rookie season in Croatia and now are playing in a higher league in Greece in the GBL. You will be facing some top Euroleague players. Do you feel confident that you can be an impact player in Greece?

I do think that Zadar prepared me well for Greece. In the ABA, we played against some Euroleague teams and Eurocup teams. I was able to hold my own against top teams.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 206cm forward. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

I wouldn´t necessarily compare my game to an NBA player. I´m able to do a bit of everything. If that means guarding the other teams best player or scoring or passing

At Wisconsin (NCAA) you were seen as a Swiss army knife and later as a glue guy. How would you describe yourself as a player right now. Are you a better version now of a Swiss army knife and glue guy?

Those are 2 good labels for me. I just love to play. I will dive after loose balls if I have to. If I score 0 points, but am helping the team win in other ways then I´m just happy.

You never averaged more than 11,0ppg as a pro or in the NCAA: Do you feel capable of slipping into more of a scoring role down the road?

I feel very confident in scoring the ball. I will just do whatever it takes to help the team win. But if my team needs me to score 20-25 points then I will do that also.

It´s fair to say that your three pointer is still a work in progress. What do you believe do you have to do better to become more of a stable three point shooter?

I have never been asked to be a 3 point shooter, but moreover to be a playmaker and get the ball on the floor and get my teammates involved. I feel like I´m getting better as a 3 point shooter. If I´m open then I´m confident to take the shot. I also can take in rhythm three´s. I´m not a player that will force shots.

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

I´m really working a lot on my 3 ball. I have put up a lot of shots in the off season. Now it is all about translating it into the game and stepping in with confidence and letting them fly.

You played your rookie season with KK Zadar (Croatia-Premijer Liga) averaging 10.9ppg, RPG-5 (6.9), 2.5apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 57.9%, 3PT: 13.5%, FT: 59.9%; and in the Adriatic League) averaged 10.4ppg, 5.5rpg, 2.9apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 58.5%, 3PT: 26.3%, FT: 60.7%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie where you knew that you were far away from home?

My wake up call was around the holiday time. My parents did come to visit me, but the holiday season is the time where you don´t really see family. That is tough for Americans for the first few years of their life.

You won the Croatian title beating split in 4 games. Games 3 and 4 were decided only by 3 points. What was so special about this team last season?

That was really special. Zadar has won now 3 Premier titles in a row. Our expectations going into the season was to win the Premier league and do well in the ABA. We had an older team and veterans who had been part of winning teams. That is what made it special. Having guys that have been a part of special moments and winning a lot of games. It was more physical and we knew what to do in big moments.

You played at the University of Wisconsin (NCAA) from 2019-2024 reaching 3 NCAA tournaments and 1 NIT Final 4. Were these 5 years some of the best times of your life?

It was definitely a great time in my life. Everyone always says that one should really soak in these 4-5 years of your life. I was told that it would fly by and it definitely did. It definitely was some of my greatest times of my life, but I hope that I have many more and better moments coming.

From your perspective which NCAA tournament appearance was your most fondest? You lost to Baylor, Iowa State and JMU.

I think my fondest was when we were in the bubble and lost to Baylor. Baylor was the best team that season and went on to win the NCAA title. We were in it the entire and gave them a good fight.

What memories will you always have from that NIT Final 4 run? You achieved really exciting wins over Liberty and Oregon, but lost to N Texas?

The NIT was fun, because we were able to play post season basketball at our home arena. Usually when you are in March Madness, you play in other arenas and you don´t get that home court advantage even if our fans do travel to away games.

How did head coach Greg Gard groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

I think that coach Gard and his staff do a great job preparing players to be good players. He really stresses the fundamentals everyday. I feel like that really helped me for my next step in my career. He also taught me how to be a pro. He taught me to do whatever it takes to help your team win.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Aleem Ford?

I will give him his kudos and say he won. I was still a younger player still figuring it out.

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

The toughest was Dwayne Washington from Ohio State. He weas a great player that let the game come to him. He could get his baskets when he wanted to.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Chucky Hepburn, Brad Davidson, Aleem Ford, Steven Croul, Carter Gilmore

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Jordan, Lebron, Kobe, Kareem Abdul Jabbar

Who is your GOAT?

Michael Jordan. He made it explode on the world wide stage. He got a lot of people invested in the sport

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

I didn´t see the sequel. My thoughts are the original will always be better so I won´t watch the sequel.

Thanks Tyler for the chat.