Michael Fakuade

Michael Fakuade Living The Cinderella Dream Going From The Pro B To Spanish ACB In 3 Years

Michael Fakuade is a 28 year old 201cm forward from Chicago, Illinois that also has the Nigerian citizenship and is playing his sixth professional season and fourth in Spain and first with RETAbet Gipuzkoa BC San Sebastian (Spain-Liga Endesa). As a  rookie he played for UBC Hannover playing 15 games averaging 15.2ppg, Reb-5(10.6rpg), 1.1apg, 1.3spg, Blocks-1(2.8bpg), FGP: 52.9%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 67.6%. In his second season he played for the ETB Wohnbau Baskets Essen (Germany-ProA) playing 33 games averaging  8.3ppg, Reb-5(7.3rpg), Blocks-1(1.8bpg), FGP: 54.3%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 56.5%. In the 2014-2015 season he made the jump to Forca Lleida CE (Spain-LEB Gold)playing 32 games averaging 7.2ppg, 5.2rpg, Blocks-5(1.0bpg), FGP: 49.7%, 3PT: 38.7%, FT: 66.0%. In the 2015-2016 season he stayed in Spain playing with Quesos Cerrato de Palencia (Spain-LEB Gold) playing 30 games averaging 9.8ppg, 6.2rpg, FGP: 60.6%, 3PT: 22.9%, FT: 60.0%. Last season he played with Cafes Candelas Breogan Lugo (Spain-LEB Gold) playing 32 games averaging 10.1ppg, Reb-4(6.9rpg), 1.5apg, FGP: 58.4%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 69.8%He started his basketball career in 2007 for  N.Illinois (NCAA) where he played until 2010 playing 54 NCAA games. He then changed to play for  Ill.-Springfield (NCAA2). He played a total of 45 NCAA 2 games and as a senior played  24 games: 14.5ppg, RebNCAA2-6(11.0rpg), BlocksNCAA2-2(3.5bpg), FGP: 55.9%, 3PT: 3-6, FT: 56.7%. He spoke to German Hoops about Basketball.

Michael thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how was your summer?

My summer was good. I was rehabbing and working out. Trying to come back stronger from a minor injury I had.

Was there anything special that you did in Chicago this summer that you hadn´t done before in the last years that was especially memorable?

 Yes, rehabbing my knee was very challenging to me. This was that first time in my career that I had a major injury. It was very challenging mentally.

Congrats on signing with RETAbet Gipuzkoa BC San Sebastian (Spain-Liga Endesa). You have paid your dues in your first five seasons as a professional with two in Germany and three in Spain in the Leb Gold. Did somebody have to pinch you? Your playing in the best league in Europe.

I’ am Very grateful and blessed to get a chance to play in one of the best leagues in the world. My goal was always to be able to play at the highest level possible if I could not play in the NBA.

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Michael Fakuade (ETB Wohnbau Baskets) I Have To Get Used To Doing More In A Shorter Amount Of Time

Michael Fakuade is a 24 year old 201cm forward from Chicago, Illinois that also has the NIgerian citizenship and is playing his second professional basketball season with the ETB Wohnbau Baskets Essen. He just completed his rookie season for UBC Hannover playing 15 games: 15.2ppg, Reb-5(10.6rpg), 1.1apg, 1.3spg, Blocks-1(2.8bpg), FGP: 52.9%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 67.6%. he started his basketball career in 2007 for  N.Illinois (NCAA) where he played until 2010 playing 54 NCAA games. He then changed to play for  Ill.-Springfield (NCAA2). He played a total of 45 NCAA 2 games and as a senior played  24 games: 14.5ppg, RebNCAA2-6(11.0rpg), BlocksNCAA2-2(3.5bpg), FGP: 55.9%, 3PT: 3-6, FT: 56.7%. He spoke to German Hoops about his new team ETB Wohnbau Baskets Essen.

Michael thanks talking to German Hoops again. How has been the transition from Hannover to Essen? Both cities are bigger sized places, but is there something different with the mentality of the folk?

The transition has been good. I’m still getting used to the city. Still trying to figure out where everything is. The people are good. I haven’t noticed anything different about them.

The ETB Wohnbau baskets Essen have started slow with a record of 2-3. What have been the main reasons for the slow start?

We are still building our chemistry as a team. I still think that we are headed in the right direction and have plenty of time to show we are a playoff team.

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