Nik Caner-Medley is a 34 year old 203cm forward from Portland, Maine that is playing in his 13th professional season and fourth with Movistar Estudiantes Madrid. He has spent a good majority of his professional career in Spain having played for teams like Gran Canaria, Sevillia, Valencia and Malaga. He also got valuable experience in countries like Germany, Israel, France and Kazakhstan. He played his college ball at Maryland(NCAA) from 2002-2006. germanhoops.com interviewed him once before about basketball, but this time this interview focuses on his exemplary off court work. This interview is beneficial for any professional player that wants to flourish economically next to the court.
Miles Schmidt-Scheuber first covered Nik Caner-Medley in his rookie season in 2006-2007 in Germany with the Artland Dragons and their paths crossed again in 2016 as Monaco played in Frankfurt in a Basketball Champions league game with this post game interview.
Nik thanks for talking to germanhoops.com It´s October and you’re an American living in Madrid, Spain. Do you take a few minutes to reflect each day just how blessed and lucky you have been able to play the game you love for so long?
*I have been extremely blessed to play a majority of my career in Spain and in some amazing cities (Valencia, Malaga, Las Palmas, Sevilla, Madrid). Spain is a second home to me, especially Madrid. I love the culture here and the ACB is such a well run league with good teams from top to bottom. It’s truly been an honor to play 8 seasons in the ACB, 4 of which have been with Estudiantes.
You’re now in your 13th professional season and are turning 35 years old on October 20th. You have played for 12 organizations and in five countries overseas and seen very much. You’re a very busy guy as your off court endeavors show. How much longer do you still want to play and how would you classify your body now at age 34, going on 35?
*The most important thing I have learned over the last 12 seasons is how to take care of my body. Last season I had some very unfortunate losses in my family and it was a bad year for me on the court, I was not myself and not healthy, but this summer I combined all of things I have learned about nutrition and training and it’s been amazing because I feel the best I have felt since I was 29 or 30. I am 100kg (215lbs) and this is the lightest I have been since I was in high school and it has had a huge impact on my movement and energy. I think I will have one of my best seasons of my career and as long as I feel this good I will continue to play. Im still very passionate about the game.