Tahlik Chavez (188-G-2001, college: La Tech) is a 25 year old 188cm guard playing his first season with Dziki Warszawa. He played his rookie season with the Koping Stars (Sweden-Basketligan) averaging 21.9ppg, 3.8rpg, 3.9apg, SPG-3 (1.6), FGP: 46.9%, 3PT: 38.4%, FT-5 (88.1%). He began his basketball career with Lake Ridge High School and then played a season at Garden City Community College (JUCO) averaging 20.4ppg, 5.5rpg, 2.4apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 45.8%, 3PT: 44.4%, FT: 82.9%. He then played a season at Iona College (NCAA) averaging 3.2ppg, 1.2rpg and then played 2 seasons at Charleston Southern University (NCAA) averaging 11.7ppg, 3.3rpg, 2.2apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 45.7%, 3PT: 36.6%, FT: 75.0and 11,.1ppg, 2.5rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 40.9%, 3PT: 35.1%, FT: 77.9%. He then added a season at Louisiana Tech University (NCAA) averaging 13.9ppg, 3.2rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 46.1%, 3PT: 39.7%, FT: 76.7%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about his basketball career.

Thanks Tahlik for talking to germanhoops.com. Your playing your first season with Dziki Warszawa. What have you enjoyed most about playing for this organization?

My experience here has been great. The coaching staff and people within the organization all treat us well. It really feels like a big family. The Polish vets took us all in.

How have you learned to embrace the Polish culture and city Warshaw? What has been your nicest moment off the court?

I have really enjoyed eating at the food halls or hitting the Casino´s with my teammates.

Last season in Sweden you were the go to guy, but this season you have many great scorers. What exactly is your role on the team in Poland?

My role this season is to bring scoring off the bench, energy and just hit shots.

You had many great games, but also not so good games. How have you dealt mentally with growing pains as a player in your second pro season?

I feel like this season I have grown the most mentally in my career. I have played less minutes this season in comparison to last season. I think what has kept me most focused has been keeping God first and just believing in the work that I put in on a daily basis.

The Polish league is a step above what you saw in Sweden. How do you feel has your game grown in The Polish and ENBL this season?

I think that my game has really matured this season. I have played point guard this season and have been able to make plays that I hadn´t been able to make before. I have learned a lot by my veteran teammates.

You have always been a really solid three point shooter. This season your at 43% in the Polish league. What has helped you achieve your best shooting season in the last years?

I think that my secret has been always staying locked in and just being ready when my name is called. I haven´t gotten as many shots this season as usual, so I know that I have to make them.

You played your rookie season with the Koping Stars (Sweden-Basketligan) averaging (21.9), 3.8rpg, 3.9apg, SPG-3 (1.6), FGP: 46.9%, 3PT: 38.4%, FT-5 (88.1%). What do you remember being your wake up call to being overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?

I think my wake up call came when winter hit. It began getting dark at 3 in the afternoon and got light at 7 Am. I knew then that I had arrived overseas.

You got your first taste of overseas playoffs beating Uppsala and then lost to Norrkoping. What memories will you always have from these series?

Our team had never finished higher than 4th place. It was really special having a big role and being part of something really special. We had a special connection as teammates and still have a group chat today.

After high school you played a season with Garden City Community College (JUCO) averaging 20.4ppg, 5.5rpg, 2.4apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 45.8%, 3PT: 44.4%, FT: 82.9%. Every guy that I have interviewed have reported that Juco was a grind, but an experience that they wouldn´t have traded for anything. How was it for you?

I would agree also that I wouldn´t trade Juco for anything in the world either. My experience in Juco molded me into the guy I am today. I just kept grinding every day despite having no offers. The coach believed in me and I was in the middle of nowhere in Kansas and just focused on basketball.

How vital was head coach Patrick Nee for your early basketball development? How did he help your game most?

He really believed in me and put the ball in my hands and let me go. We still have a great relationship to this day. My little brother plays for him now.

You then played a season at Iona College (NCAA) averaging 3.2ppg, 1.2rpg. How tough was this season for you? What positives could you get out of playing for legend Rick Pitino?

Rick Pitino is a legend. He has the biggest growth of knowledge. I always tried to pick his brain. I will never forget when he would yell on the microphone. He knew the level that I needed to make it at the professional level.

You then played 2 seasons at Charleston Southern University (NCAA) averaging 11.7ppg, 3.3rpg, 2.2apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 45.7%, 3PT: 36.6%, FT: 75.0and 11,.1ppg, 2.5rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 40.9%, 3PT: 35.1%, FT: 77.9%. Was this the best basketball decision of your life? How did your game grow there?

It was 100% the best basketball decision in my life. I love that school and still talk to the coaching staff to this day. I built relationships there that will last a lifetime. It was the first year that I played point guard. I believe that I grew there a lot as a young adult.

You then added a season at at Louisiana Tech University (NCAA) averaging 13.9ppg, 3.2rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 46.1%, 3PT: 39.7%, FT: 76.7%. You had many great games there against Louisiana and FIU. What was your fondest moment there?

I had so many special moments there. I also had a great coach here and teammates. I think beating Western Kentucky on the road was one of my fondest moments. They had beat us at our place and took away our undefeated record at home. So going back to their place and winning was really special.

How did head coach Talvin Hester give you that last push for a pro career?

Her always believed in me and saw that the work that I put in. Whenever a coach believes in me, it really helps my self-confidence.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Tyler Henry?

I won 100%.

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

Jake LaRavia of the Lakers.

Please name your 5 best teammates of al-time?

Jordan Hayes, Isaiah Crawford, Dravon Mangum, Bennett Vander Plass and Rivaldo Soares

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Kobe Bryant, Steph Curry, Shaq and Michael Jordan

Who is your GOAT?

Kobe Bryant

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

They could of left it alone, but I´m not mad that they didn´t.

Thanks Tahlik for the chat.