5 questions with Oklahoma City Blue guard Michael Gbinije

CHAPEL HILL, NC – FEBRUARY 29: Michael Gbinije #0 of the Syracuse Orange in motion towards the North Carolina Tar Heels throughout their sport on the Dean Smith Middle on February 29, 2016 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina received 75-70. (Picture by Grant Halverson/Getty Pictures)

This previous weekend, I had the chance to speak to Oklahoma City Blue guard Michael Gbinije and ask him just a few questions.

5 questions with Oklahoma Metropolis Blue guard Michael Gbinije

Gbinije grew up in Richmond, Virginia. He was a 4-star prospect out of highschool, with many powerhouse colleges providing him scholarships. In 2011, Gbinije dedicated to Duke.

He didn’t see a lot time on the court docket his freshman yr, enjoying solely six minutes per sport off the bench. Following his freshman yr, Gbinije determined to switch to Syracuse. He redshirted in 2013 and was able to go in 2014. He noticed a rise in enjoying time and was a beneficial piece off the bench, enjoying quarter-hour per sport.

Gbinije took a bounce his junior season. He averaged 12.7 factors, 5.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.9 steals in 35 minutes per sport on 46.0/39.2/57.1 splits.

The guard continued to enhance in his senior season. He averaged 17.5 factors, 4.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.9 steals (led ACC) in 38 minutes per sport on 46.1/39.1/66.3 splits. Gbinije was named to All-ACC Second Crew and the All-ACC All-Protection Second Crew.

That very same season, Syracuse was chosen as a 10-seed within the NCAA match. Within the huge dance, Syracuse made an immaculate run to the Ultimate 4, turning into the fourth double-digit seed ever to make it that far.

Michael Gbinije’s unimaginable senior season put him on the radar of many NBA groups. His protection, versatility, and athleticism made him a terrific prospect.

He was chosen with the forty ninth total choose within the 2016 NBA draft by the Detroit Pistons.

Throughout his rookie season, Gbinije spent most of his season with the Grand Rapids Drive (the Pistons G League affiliate) and was waived within the offseason.

In 2017, Gbinije signed with the Warriors. He performed with the Santa Cruz Warriors (the Warriors G League affiliate) for 2 years earlier than electing to play internationally with just a few groups.

In 2021, Gbinije was drafted with the ninth total choose within the 2021 NBA G League draft by the Iowa Wolves (the Timberwolves G League affiliate). Shortly after, he was dealt to the Oklahoma Metropolis Blue (the Oklahoma City Thunder G League affiliate), the place he at present performs.

In 2022 with the Blue, Michael Gbinije averaged 4.1 factors, 3.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 0.5 steals in 21 minutes per sport. He additionally performed for the Nigerian nationwide group.

Right here’s the interview:

Q: In your remaining season at Syracuse, the group made a “Cinderella run” to the Ultimate 4 as a ten seed. What was your expertise like enjoying within the insanity of March, particularly as a relentless underdog?

A: The match was stress free for me whereas enjoying. After discovering out that we made the match, it was like we had been enjoying with home cash, in my view. I feel with the ability to play free with no expectations made enjoying extra enjoyable.

Q: You performed for 2 of the very best coaches on this planet, Coach Okay and Coach Boeheim. What was your largest takeaway from these legends?

A: That greatness isn’t a vacation spot. It’s a behavior. Each day the hassle and a spotlight to element had been wanted, particularly in apply. Each of them had been aggressive and achieved greatness and had legendary careers due to the habits that they’d. My largest takeaway is that dwelling within the second and giving issues your all will solely enhance issues for you going ahead.

Q: There are professionals and cons to enjoying abroad. Was it a tough determination to maneuver to a different nation with a brand new language and a brand new tradition to play basketball? Did you’re feeling it was a essential transfer to be able to advance your basketball profession?

A: In the mean time, I felt like I wanted to expertise abroad basketball simply to test the field and see if it was price it or to not me. I’d say it was a essential transfer for me as a result of not solely did it give me a brand new perspective on basketball, nevertheless it gave me an alternative choice so far as the place I might presumably take my profession.

Q: You might be 29 years previous. Many see that age and assume {that a} participant is within the again half of their skilled profession. Discuss to me about your mentality when approaching annually in your quest to make it again to the NBA.

A: Yeah, it’s in my thoughts. I can solely management what I can management. For me, a part of the journey is establishing higher habits and methods for myself. Hopefully, with higher habits and enchancment within the methods I do issues, my objectives and aspirations could be achieved.

Q: Lastly, I wanna speak about your sport. You pleasure your self on being an elite defensive participant. Do you’re feeling the defensive facet of the ball is the strongest a part of your sport? Additionally, the NBA G League is a spot for growth. What a part of your sport do you wish to enhance probably the most whilst you’re within the G League, and the way would this ability assist you on the NBA degree?

A: I do pleasure myself on my protection. Taking advantage of each possession, whether or not it’s making a shot, grabbing a rebound, or getting a cease, I feel I’m able to all of these issues. Capturing the three-ball has labored for me at occasions throughout my G League seasons as nicely. Being extra snug making performs off the bounce, and drawing fouls each defensively and offensively will make me a greater prospect as a basketball participant as nicely.

Thanks a lot to Michael Gbinije for these unbelievable responses. I encourage all followers to assist their native G League group and attempt to attend video games as a result of the expertise there may be really exceptional.