Interview #2- Mathias Offeciers

Matthias Offeciers (#15) is a basketball player for the Antwerp Giants and the Belgium National Team. Offeciers has represented the Belgium team for the u18 European Cup 3v3, and on for the 5v5 u16 Fiba European Championship. Offeciers is one of Europe's most exiting talents, and he has a bright future ahead of him. At only 17, he's established himself as one of Belgium's brightest stars!

The Mathias Offeciers

1. How has your time been with the Antwerp Giants?

I’m having a great time with the Antwerp Giants, I’m one of the younger guys on the team (rookie), but I still get a lot of opportunities I try to take.

2. What is basketball like in Belgium?
Basketball in Belgium is not the number 1 sport, but there is a lot of talent for a small country like this. We have a lot of youth programs like Ostend and Antwerp etc, but there’s still a lot of work to do.

3. How did you feel to represent Belgium on the international scene?
It’s an honor to represent my county in every different ways (5v5 & 3v3) and I’m looking forward to playing with Belgium on my chest as much as possible.

4. What was playing the 3v3 European Cup like?
It was a special opportunity for me because it was my first 3v3 experience ever. So I didn’t know what to expect, but I turned out liking it a lot! It was my centered towards me game (1v1 & shoot the ball) which I’m very comfortable with!

5. Best player you’ve ever played against?
I played against a lot of high potential prospects like Haris Bratanovic, Keye Vandervuurst, Vrenz Blijenbergh, etc! But I can’t really pick on because they’re all different types of players!

6. Favorite food?
American pancakes for sure!! I can’t live without them.

7. What are your goals for the future?
Just keep on working, getting better every day and I will try to play at the highest possible level that I can reach! But I definitely want to play as a professional player! I try to become the best version of myself on and off the court.

8. Tips for players who want to play at a high level?
Hardwork is a key, keep the right mentality and listen to your coach!

9. One country you want to go to?
I’ve always wanted to go to Los Angeles, because it seems so nice and I really want to watch an official NBA game.

10. Favorite animal?
My favorite animal is definitely a lion, because they’re like the king of the jungle and I like that!

11. Have you played any other sports outside of basketball?
I started my Spork we are at a soccer player in my town (Boom), but it wasn’t really me thing! So I became a basketball player and I have zero regrets.

12. What’s it like to be the youngest guy on Antwerp?
I want of the youngest players on my team, but that changes nothing to me. It’s what you do on the court accounts, age is just a detail.

13. Best player of all time?
The best player of all time, I have to say that would be Michael Jordan but I think/hope that Kevin Durant will be the next one.

14. Any advice for readers who want to become pro?
Just like I said before, walk your ass off in the gym and keep the right mentality!

​

Written by Chris Dailey

A big thank you to Mathias for the interview! Truly a great player and great person. Despite english not being his first language, he knocked the interview out of the park! Very mature for a 17 year old! Don't be surprised to see him rise to the top soon! Best of luck in the future Mathias! 

Photo via https://play.fiba3x3.com/players/e2b5f103-8f1d-441b-b349-047657ec189a