Giffey a ‘rock’ for UConn February 27, 2014
By William S. Paxton - CT Post TAMPA, Fla. -- Two-a-day practices are common for NFL players in the summer, but Niels Giffey’s came on the basketball court. In preparation for the EuroBasket 2013 games in Slovenia, Giffey found out what life would be like as a professional during his daily double sessions with the German National Team. “This summer was amazing for me, just to see how professional these guys really are,” the 6-foot-7 UConn senior said. “They got to practice twice a day. We go to practice at 8:30 in the morning, and guess what? They are back at it 7:30 at night with a two-hour practice. I think that mindset really got me ready for taking the next step after this year. I’m trying to apply it to my senior year and trying to show the other guys what that really means.” A life in the professional ranks, either in the states or overseas can wait, though. Giffey wants to help the Huskies (22-6, 10-6 AAC) make a deep postseason run in his final campaign, maybe even add another national title. Giffey, Shabazz Napier and Tyler Olander had the opportunity to celebration one championship already during their freshmen season. “He’s been my rock the whole season,” UConn coach Kevin Ollie said. “Whatever I ask the kid to do, he does it. He doesn’t second-guess me. He just lets me coach him. ...That guy gets dirty every night
for me and I appreciate that from him.” Fans seem to want more shots for Giffey, and who wouldn’t with the way he’s been popping themn this season. He is hitting 50.6 percent on 3-pointers and 56.3 percent overall while averaging a career-high 8.1 points. While foreign players often get labeled as too offensive minded, Giffey has proven he is not afraid to sellout for a basketball or hustle back on defense. “He does the dirty work,” junior Ryan Boatright said. “He’s a team leader. He’s always positive. He does everything we ask him to do with no complaints. No matter if he’s getting shots or not getting shots, he’s just a great teammate. I love playing with him.” Ollie has frequently been referred to as a great teammate during his playing days, and Giffey seems to be shaped from the same mold. To be an effective leader as one of the tri-captains, Giffey felt he needed to repeat some of the things he did as a freshman role player. “That was actually my job my first year with coach (Jim) Calhoun, just being a defensive guy, diving for loose balls and gets offensive rebounds, gets defensive rebounds,” he said. “I had to get back to that because as one of the leaders you have to set the tone. “If you are a leader and don’t do that kind of stuff, then guys are going to come in and think `I can put up points, but not do the little
things.’ You have to do the little things before you develop a bigger role.” Against South Florida on Wednesday, the Huskies couldn’t get enough of Giffey on the floor. He logged 36 minutes -- the second highest of the season -- and finished with 11 points, five rebounds, one block and an assist. “He’s a wonderful person to be around and you know how much I love Niels,” Ollie added. “He earned every minute, I think he got 36 minutes. He earned every one of them and I have to keep playing the guys who are going to give me those gritty rebounds.” Whether a gritty sharpshooter can make it at the next level here in the United States remains to be seen. Most NBA draft projections don’t have Giffey going in either round come June, but he should earn an invitation to a camp afterwards. “To be honest, I’m not thinking about my future too much right now,” he said. “Obviously, everyone is trying to get a shot at the NBA, but I know about my strengths. I know about my shooting ability and maybe someone needs that in a certain situation. “I know I’m not going to get drafted or anything, but I’ll just keep an open mind and do the best I can. That’s kind of the thing coach Ollie preaches, do the best that you can and at the end of the day you’ll be happy.”