Let's Talk: Nik Stauskas

by **Myles (SAS)** Thu May 15, 2014 1:32 pm

Let's Talk is a weekly series where Chris Webber sits down and has a chat with a CSL prospect, asking them questions about their life, about their game, and of course, about their future in the CSL

Week 2: Nik Stauskas
Let's Talk: Nik Stauskas StauskasThumb

Staying with the Midwest theme, I decided to check out one of the best wings in this draft, Michigan's Nik Stauskas. While he's still young enough that I couldn't buy him a beer while we chatted, he plays with the composure and confidence of a CSL veteran. He's out here running the Michigan team, draining 3s, guarding opposing players, and winning. He's currently draining 43% of his 3s and 48% of his shots overall, while leading the Michigan Wolverines in scoring.

Webber: Thanks for sitting down with me Nik. Let's talk about your expectations, what do you expect this year for you, for your team, and for your future?
Stauskas: Thanks for having me man. You know, I try not to get ahead of myself and my teammates and I feel like as long as we focus on each game individually, we'll be fine. We don't want to get caught up in the guessing game, we just go out and play hard and get it done. That's what I try to do in my game too. All I expect of myself is to go out there and play the best I can, I don't want to do anything else. If I do that, then things will fall in place in the future. I have faith in that.

Webber: Your coach was absolutely raving about you when I talked to him, saying you are the smartest player he's ever coached and wouldn't be surprised if you ended up as a coach one day. I know you two have a close connection, can you talk a bit more about that?
Stauskas: Coach Beilein has taught me so much and I do think he and I have had a close connection, I've learned a lot from him certainly. I try to learn as much about the game as I can, I know I'm not the most talented or athletic guy in college so I want to be able to outsmart people out on the court, I want to make sure I'm always doing the right thing out there. I've heard all of the warnings people give me, about this player or that player who had all the physical talent but no brain and got run out of the CSL, well I don't want to be that guy. So I just try and learn as much as I can. As far as being a coach, well, I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Webber: You are listed as a small forward and most draft experts say that's the position you will play best in the pros. Do you think being 6'6" and only 205 lbs will limit you then? That's pretty small for a small forward.
Stauskas: Well luckily, I can do something about my weight. When I came into Michigan I was only 190 lbs so I've been working out and added some muscle, and I can keep doing that. So at the very least I can be stronger and be able to hang with the big boys. At the same time though, I think I have the ability to play multiple positions in the pros, I think I'm quick enough to be a shooting guard and I definitely have that skill-set.

Webber: Speaking of skill-set, we all know you can shoot. We know you can play defense. But what else do you think you bring to the table and what are you working on the most these days?
Stauskas: Well, obviously I'm working on everything because being able to defend a college player and being able to defend a CSL player are two completely different things. So I'm working the most on being able to defend at an elite level, being able to put the ball on the deck more and not just be known as a shooter, I want to attack the basket and get to the line more. I've also been working on my handle a lot more, I know there are a lot of great defenders out there and I want to be able to take care of the ball too.

Webber: Last question Nik, if you were to compare your game to one CSL player who would it be?
Stauskas: Oh man that's a tough one. I want to say I play like JJ Redick but with more defense, no offense to JJ of course but that's one area of my game I certainly take pride in.

There you have it folks. Nik Stauskas certainly looks like a player made for the CSL, I bet he could have started for a CSL team this year with the way he's been stroking the ball. He's definitely one of the nicest guys I've met in my time as a draft analyst and if he's as smart as his coach says he is, he might have a future as a player-coach or president of the players' union, as well as being an All-Star, or 3 point shoot-out winner.