Miles Weber (185-PG-1996, college: Harris-Stowe St.) is a 28 year old 185cm guard from Bradenton, Florida that is a professional basketball player and has 3 years of experience. He has played In Mexico, Gutamala, Moldova and El Salvador. He began his career at the IMG Prep academy and played at 4 schools at Chicago State University (NCAA),Western Kentucky University (NCAA), Southern Arkansas University Tech (JUCO), and Harris-Stowe State University (NAIA). He spoke to eurobasket about basketball.
Thanks Miles for talking to eurobasket.com. Where are you at the moment and how is basketball life treating you?
Currently I am in France, just came out here to train with my guy Tremaine Dalton and take a little off season vacation. Basketball has been treating me great. It's extremely hard to get established overseas or even in Central America as an underdog. I've always had a big chip on my shoulder and that's what's carried me this far.
My earliest memory of a nagging phrase was always 'I can see for Miles and miles'. What was your nagging phrase that you heard enough of concerning your name?
Miles of smiles, my mom used to always call me that ever since I was little.
You turned professional in 2020. You didn't do too badly got jobs mostly in Central America despite hardly playing in college. Do you sometimes wonder where you might be today had Covid not surfaced?
Without Covid, the whole pro transition might have been a little easier for me. However I'm glad it did, I do believe that everything happens for a reason.
You began your pro career in Mexico with Kolbri Usila (Mexico-Ciprodebaco):32.4ppg, 5.7rpg, 7.2apg. You really dominated there. What memories do you have of that league? How competitive was that league?
I remember coming off a 17 hour day off traveling, arriving in Usila getting a quick meal then resting until the game. I didn't know what to expect, I came off the bench and scored 39 points, had 7 assists, and 6 boards in my first pro game while shooting 6/9 from the three. I was both nervous and excited coming into that game. I actually told my good friend who plays in Germany now Brandon Cataldo that I was going to score 30 in my first game. It was a great experience to get my feet wet in pro basketball. The whole city of Usila became family to me and I still talk to them up to this day!
You then played with Lakoch (Mexico-Alejandro Cordova League) averaging 15.6ppg, 5.3apg, 3.8rpg. You weren't quite as explosive there stat wise. Did you have a different role?
Yes, well the league was a little different we played 10 minute quarters with a rolling clock so it was a little more difficult to put up as big of stats. I also wasn't as ball dominant with this team, we had a local who was also a skilled guard so I had to share the ball, and shots with him as well.
You then played with Veterinaria Chiluca, Escuintla, Guatamala: XVII Copa Golondrina: 22.3ppg, 10.8apg, 6.4rpg, 2.8spg. Here you really filled the stat sheet. Did it feel like you were a man playing with boys?
Yes it did, I felt like I could do anything out there. The other teams would foul me nonstop though to try and stop me. Sometimes the referees would call it, most of the time they wouldn't. You know how that goes!
This year you played at the Moldovan Cup Chisinau (Moldova) averaging 28.4ppg, 5.6apg, 6rpg, 2.4spg. You got the MVP award. It was your first taste of overseas basketball. How vital was this performance for your self-confidence?
This was my first time in Europe playing, I was playing for coach Harry Savaya who is well known in the coaching world for a reason. I enjoyed playing for him, he taught me a lot and helped me grow as a player. This performance definitely helped with my confidence because I had put up big numbers in 2 countries prior but both in Central America. To produce good stats and win in Europe was a blessing for me.
You last played for MC El Brasil Santa Ana (El Salvador-Liga MB) averaging 28/8/3 stats. You continue to put up huge stats. How was the game, talent and competitive nature there compared to Mexico?
The game out there was fast, it was a little different than the other countries I played in. The whistle definitely wasn't that friendly but that's common being an American playing in a different country. The talent was good and it was competitive. My team was struggling prior to my arrival but I still came regardless of that and did my best to help us grow and win in every which way!
You played at IMG Prep Academy in Florida. What memories do you have of that time. How did that school prepare you best at that time?
It got me ready for college and the pro level. I gained 15 pounds of muscle while there so they definitely developed my game on and off the court. My recruitment also picked up pretty heavily when I transferred there. There were also a lot of NBA and Euroleague guys while I was there so I got to watch how they train and meet talk to some of them. We played against a lot of of JUCOs and other top preps all over. My team was very talented, we were ranked #8 in the country at one point and several of us went right D1 about 8-9 guys.
Then you had huge misfortune during the years from 2016-2020 as you were with 4 schools Chicago State University (NCAA), Western Kentucky University (NCAA), Southern Arkansas University Tech (JUCO) and Harris-Stowe State University. You only played at 1 school. Please talk about these tough 4 years? Were you a walking wounded player?
Yes I wish I could go back and do it differently, but everything does happen for a reason. I did unfortunately deal with a few injuries here and there. I had to deal with some deaths, and illnesses within the family during those years. I dealt with coaching changes as well, which put me in difficult situations. From the outside looking in, my college career was a mess but not everyone knows what all I had to deal with outside of basketball and school.
How do you remember your year at Western Kentucky? I interviewed your ex teammate Darius Thomspon. How did you see his growth in his senior year? If someone had told you then that he would be a Euroleague player in his fifth pro season what would you have said?
My time at WKU was great, I was around a lot of good players and learned from them as well as competed with them. Darius had a great senior year when he came from Virginia and took over right away. I would've believed it for sure if someone told me he would become a euro league player someday. I enjoyed being under Coach Shammond Williams, he took me in and was like a father figure to me during my time there. He also played a big role in my recruitment and me coming to Western Kentucky.
Darius Thompson said this about head coach Rick Stansbury. 'He opened my mind to never back down and always be in attack mode. He always forced me to be aggressive' How did you remember coach?
He would tell me similar things, to be aggressive, attack, and left my presence be felt. He also kept me disciplined on and off the court. Coach Shammond, I would say taught me the most though during my time there, both basketball wise and mentally.
You did play a season at Southern Arkansas University Tech (JUCO). Every guy I have interviewed that played JUCO says that JUCO was tough, but an experience they wouldn't have traded the world for. How was it for you?
Yes Juco was tough but if I could go back I wouldn't change a thing. It really helped bring out more of that dog and killer mentality in me. We had a very strong team and it helped me improve and grow as a player. It was a lot different than being at a D1 university though, I found that out very quick. The JUCO struggle is real.
Who is the toughest player that you ever faced on the court that reached the NBA?
Jonathan Isaac, he was actually one of my former teammates. I enjoyed playing with him and against him in practice. We played together at IMG - he was a basically a 6'10 guard who could do almost everything. I knew he was league bound back then.
Let's talk about your game. You're a 185cm guard. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the bill?
This is a tough one, I've been told I resemble a few players: Steve Nash, Damon Stoudamire, Mike Bibby, and Jason Williams. The first 3 I think because of my vision, shooting, passing , attacking the rim while still being a smaller guard. I think the Jwill comparison is also common because of my creativity as a player.
Talk a little about your game. You have been described s a 3 level scorer and can fill the stat sheet?
Yes I like to score the ball, and can at all 3 levels however I will do whatever it takes for my team to win. Whatever the coach and organization wants me to do, I will do! I can adapt and change my play style whenever. I am a pass first point guard but I will score if I have my defender beat or have an open shot.
Talk a little about how defined your three point shooting is? Can it be a weapon in your game?
Yes I am a sniper, if you leave me open you might as well run back on defense because it's good. It is definitely a strong weapon in my arsenal.
What kind of defender are you right now and what kind of defender do you still want to become?
I take pride in my defense, I like to challenge myself and usually guard the best player or the strongest guard the opposing team has. I like to make the offensive player I am guarding uncomfortable so he isn't able to play his game. I am still improving as a defender as well as in all other aspects of my game. Defense is the most important thing so I will never let up defensively.
On what areas of your game are you working on most now so you can can continue to climb the basketball ladder?
I am always tightening up my handle and getting up lots of reps with my floaters, mid ranges, and threes. Right now mostly I am just in the weight room trying to get bigger , stronger, faster, and more athletic. I know how physical of a game it is over there in Germany, Israel, and most of Europe as well so I need to be ready for that.
Give a few sentences why you could help any team right now overseas?
I am a high IQ player that brings a lot to the table both offensively and defensively. I am a work horse, the first one in the gym and the last one to leave the gym. I am also a high character individual who takes pride in giving back to the community and helping others. I will settle for nothing less than a championship, I am winner and that is my #1 goal coming to an organization. I am very easy to get along with and look forward to being lifelong friends with my future teammates.
Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?
Chase Berry, Lamonte Bearden, Fred Sims Jr, D'mitrik Trice, and Trayvon Palmer- Im leaving out a lot more of course as I have played with a lot of very talented players and good guys but these are a few that came to my mind that I enjoyed playing with and learning from.
Please list your NBA Mount Rushmore?
Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, and Lebron James.
Who is your GOAT?
Michael Jordan 100%, being born in Chicago how can't you say he isn't the GOAT !
Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn't they have left it alone?
No I have not actually, I need to check it out sometime soon and then I'll be able to give you an answer on that!
Thanks Miles for the chat
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