Nickolas Neal (184-PG-1988, college: Purdue-NCent.) is a 37 year old 184cm guard that recently completed his 13h professional season and first with M Basket-Delamode Mazeikiai (Lithuania-NKL) averaging 15,7ppg, 2,8rpg, 5,0apg and 1,6spg. He has been a real basketball globe trotter overseas having played in Italy, Georgia, Croatia, Poland, Serbia, Portugal, Czech republic, and Egypt. He began his basketball career at Detroit South Eastern High School and then played at Purdue University North Central (NAIA) avergaing 16.5ppg, 2.9rpg, 4.2apg, 1.4spg and (20.3), 1.8spg, FT: 81%; He was the first player in school history to score over 1,000 points (1,121 in less than 2 years). He spoke to eurobasket about basketball.

Thanks Nick for talking to eurobasket.com. The last and only interview we did was more than 5 years ago. Has time flown by since then?

Yes, it’s a pleasure to talk with you again my good friend. Thank you for following my career.

In 2020 you were in the Croatian first division and MVP. Since then you were in Poland, Serbia, Portugal, Czech Republic and Egypt. Was being that basketball globetrotter in the later stages of your life more appealing than being a lifer in an organization?

Umm good question. I think every experience and country served it´s purpose for me to grow in life on and off the court. I learned a lot globetrotting and have met amazing people and life long friends on my journey.

In the 2020-2021 season you split time with HydroTruck Radom (Poland-EBL) averaging 14.9ppg, 2.4rpg, 4.6apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 38.6%, 3PT: 32.0%, FT: 87.9%, in Nov.’20 moved to Legia Warszawa (Poland-EBL) averaging 8.9ppg, 2.0rpg, 3.1apg, FGP: 49.1%, 3PT: 32.3%, FT: 88.3%. That was the first time in your career that you were with 2 teams in a season. Did you learn in that season that the grind overseas is a business first?

Yes that was the first time in my career that I was in such situation and to be honest it was a hard adjustment at first. I went from being the main scorer in Hydrotruck to being a role player on a very good team that reached the final four that season. I definitely learned that season overseas is a business first. I didn’t find out I was being traded until the day it happened. But I appreciate both clubs.

You played well for both organizations. What did you enjoy about the Polish EBL? I see it as an underrated league? How do you see it?

OBL is new name -Honestly, my friend if I could go back and redo that season I definitely would. I had my moments when I played well (won mvp of the week, along with being a part of the team of the week 4 times). But I know I could have played better. The Polish OBL is definitely a good league with elite players. If you go there and play well, then you will have many opportunities after that.

In the 2021-2022 season you balled for KK Vojvodina Novi Sad (Serbia-KLS) averaging 12.6ppg, 3.1rpg, 4.8apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 51.6%, 3PT: 33.7%, FT: 84.3%; and in the Adriatic League) averaged 10.9ppg, 2.3rpg, 4.4apg, FGP: 41.9%, 3PT: 36.8%, FT-2 (91.7%). You lost a tough playoff series to Mega BC. What memories do you have of that series?

I remember us being so close to even the series at home but they made some crazy shots and moved on to the final four.

You played the 2022-2023 season with U.D. Oliveirense (Portugal-Liga Betclic) averaging 9.5ppg, 1.3rpg, 3.3apg, 1.3spg, 2FGP: 45.2%, 3FGP: 35.7%, FT: 85.2%, in Jan.’23 moved to BK KVIS Pardubice (Czech Republic-NBL) averaging 10.1ppg, 2.4rpg, 3.9apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 47.1%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 80.6%; Alpe Adria Cup: 2 games: 6.5ppg, 1.5rpg, 4.0apg, 1.5spg. Once again you moved around. Your time was short in Portugal. How did you experience your time in Portugal?

The league was a good competition I wish I would have gotten the chance to showcase my talent there. But I don’t think I was a good fit with the system from the beginning. The organization treated me well and with respect. So no bad things to say.

You finished in the Czech Republic. You led the team into the playoffs. You lost a tough series to top team Nymburk. What do you remember being the most challenging thing in that series?

Well actually we lost in the semifinals game 7 against Decin which was a heartbreaker then lost to Nymburk for 3 rd place. They were a good team that year and just outplayed us. Fun series to be apart of.

In the 2023-2024 season you returned back to Croatia to play with KK Zabok (Croatia-Premijer Liga) averaging 15.6ppg, 2.7rpg, APG-2 (5.9), 1.5spg, FGP: 50.6%, 3PT: 43.4%, FT: 88.8%. Is it fair to say that that was one of your best seasons? You seemed to flourish in that league.

That year was special for so many reasons many thought I couldn’t be effective still later in my career. So, I had something to prove not to them but to myself because I work so hard in the off-season. That season we beat Cibona (ABA Liga) 3 times and Split aba Liga as well 1 time. Arguably,one of my best seasons. I’m very familiar with the basketball style in that region.

You lost a tough playoff series to Cibona. What will you always remember from that series? ?

That series was amazing, it was against my former coach from the year before in Czech. Earlier that season we beat them on my game winner. The series went to the last game but unfortunately their experience took over and they went to the final four. Was a joy to be a part of that series for sure.

Last season you played with Al Zohour SC (Egypt-Superleague). What kind of an experience was Egypt? People say guys go there for the money. How was the whole experience?

Egypt was a good experience outside of basketball. I visited many historic sites, the pyramids were amazing. It is true people go there for the money, the difference between European basketball and Middle East is like apple to oranges. So I will tell players make sure that style of basketball fits your game.

Did you celebrate any cool parties in palaces? How was the life off the court?

Life was very cheap there. Good food and I met some great people. It was a unique experience.

Your turned 37 and played in Lithuania this season. Was this most likely your last hurra?

Honestly, I wanted to see how it would go this season. I had a very successful season. I still have a lot left in the tank. So a couple more seasons is in the plans.

How big is the desire to win a chip in your last season? It has been a while since you last won one in Italy.

That would be a story telling ending to go out the same way I came in. What a pleasure that would be to end my career with a chip.

What did you enjoy the most last season in Lithuanian?

The journey, the bus rides, the adversity, the sold out gyms and going to war with your brothers. I just want to enjoy every moment because I’m very thankful to being able to still perform at a high level late in my career.

Do you have any ideas about what you may do with your life after this season? Will you be returning home or possibly stay overseas?

I will return back home to prepare for the next season and work very hard. Next season, I want to be even better. Also, I coach kids for personal training and I have my own basketball team for summer basketball.

Thanks Nick for the chat.