Niels

[superjohn]

This kid will go down in Husky lore. A skinny kid from Berlin, Germany comes to a rural place in a state I'm sure he couldn't locate on a map and grows into a man over four years. He won a title his first year and then all of the NCAA bull went down, he could have transferred like the others or just went back to his own country where he would be comfortable and could make a lot of coin playing the game he loves surrounded by old friends and family. Niels didn't take the easy way out, he was always 10 toes in. Fast forward to his senior year and the glue guy turned into an assassin from three point range and became one of the best shooters in the entire country. In the tournament he seemed to completely lose his stroke once we got to the elite 8, he didn't sulk he just continued to get tough rebounds play great defense and be that glue guy we saw for his whole career. As the title game got extremely tight later in the game Niels found his spot over in the corner and calmly sank a huge three, then minutes later he accepts a pass from Bazz at the top and with ice water in his veins he sinks another dagger three. I want to thank Niels for leaving his country and coming here, not ever straying from the program when the going got tough and becoming one hell of a basketball player for the University of Connecticut.......oh yeah and a 2 time National Champion!

 

[upstater]

This kid will go down in Husky lore. A skinny kid from Berlin, Germany comes to a rural place in a state I'm sure he couldn't locate on a map and grows into a man over four years. He won a title his first year and then all of the NCAA bull went down, he could have transferred like the others or just went back to his own country where he would be comfortable and could make a lot of coin playing the game he loves surrounded by old friends and family. Niels didn't take the easy way out, he was always 10 toes in. Fast forward to his senior year and the glue guy turned into an assassin from three point range and became one of the best shooters in the entire country. In the tournament he seemed to completely lose his stroke once we got to the elite 8, he didn't sulk he just continued to get tough rebounds play great defense and be that glue guy we saw for his whole career. As the title game got extremely tight later in the game Niels found his spot over in the corner and calmly sank a huge three, then minutes later he accepts a pass from Bazz at the top and with ice water in his veins he sinks another dagger three. I want to thank Niels for leaving his country and coming here, not ever straying from the program when the going got tough and becoming one hell of a basketball player for the University of Connecticut..oh yeah and a 2 time National Champion!

Very well stated. The kid was a huge part of the championship, and other fans just denigrate him (as did some announcers). Weird.

 

[WeAreUCONN]

Niels is right up there with Rashad.

 

[ford82]

His defense down the stretch was exceptional as well. It goes unnoticed because he might not have high steals and blocks stats. His ability to keep Randle and Young in front of him and use his length to contest their shots was of monumental importance in the title game! Many miss how big an impact he has on the game because the things he does don't always show up on the stat sheet. Niels is a big time player and an incredible teammate. One of my favorite Huskies of all time!

 

[RayRay19]

Prost!!!!!!!!

 

[PcketknfNiels]

Giffs toughness and rebounding were one of the biggest changes that led to us winning. It won't get the hype of the way Bazz/Boat played together or the way Daniels played but it was just as important. His ability to keep us in the game on the boards allowed the backcourt to flourish.

 

[HooHusky]

He really stepped up in the tournament to be a ferocious rebounder. I don't know how many times in key situations, he was the guy that cleared the defensive boards.

A stud. Will be missed.

Thanks Niels!!

 

[BoatShow]

Doesn't feel like he was here for 4 years. One of my favorites. I have vivid memories of him being all over the court in the UK game in Maui '11 diving for loose balls back when no one knew how to say his last name.

 

[UChusky916]

His defense down the stretch was exceptional as well. It goes unnoticed because he might not have high steals and blocks stats. His ability to keep Randle and Young in front of him and use his length to contest their shots was of monumental importance in the title game! Many miss how big an impact he has on the game because the things he does don't always show up on the stat sheet. Niels is a big time player and an incredible teammate. One of my favorite Huskies of all time!

THIS!^ times infinity!

When Brimah and Nolan both had 4 fouls late in the 2nd half, Niels played OUTSTANDING 1v1 defense on Randle and forced him into tough shots on a few crucial possessions. He also manned up and got some HUGE rebounds throughout the tournament.

Not only that, when people thought he had gone cold from 3 the last few games, he hit the 2 that mattered most in the 2nd half of the title game.

The kid was FAR more than just a 'glue guy' this year. Those who call him that simply do not know basketball or were not watching him.

I love Niels, he's one of those 4 year players that you're proud to see how far they've come in their time here. You gain a much greater appreciation and a stronger connection to the kids who stay long and mature on and off the basketball court. He'll always have a special spot in my memory of this title team.

 

[Edge2017]

Very well said John.
After the 'First Night' game, I was waiting in line at Wendy's in the Union and Niels came up behind me. I told him good game and that I was looking forward to the trophy coming back here in April. He smiled from ear to ear, shook my hand, and told me that it will happen. We then talked about his time on the German national team and he told me that it was his dream to play in the NBA after this year. I told him it will happen.
I am going to miss Niels so much. I wish him the best, and thank him for bringing 2 more trophies home, I will remember him and this team for the rest of my life.

 

[Dogbreath2U]

Giffs toughness and rebounding were one of the biggest changes that led to us winning. It won't get the hype of the way Bazz/Boat played together or the way Daniels played but it was just as important. His ability to keep us in the game on the boards allowed the backcourt to flourish.

Totally agree....over the course of this year, he came to be able to compete with much bigger offensive players, started securing critical rebounds (no longer tapping them), and still playing tough D outside the paint as well. He was more confident as a ball handler and drove the ball and even made some baby hooks. Add that to shooting about 50% from 3 and Niels was one of the critical pieces of the puzzle that came together as the team moved toward the tournament.

To hit those two critical 3 pointers was just so awesome. His going cold for that stretch would have been a lousy way to end his career. Instead, he was one of the heroes who brought home the championship. It looked like he could not have been a better teammate and representative of the University of Connecticut.

 

[PcketknfNiels]

Totally agree....over the course of this year, he came to be able to compete with much bigger offensive players, started securing critical rebounds (no longer tapping them), and still playing tough D outside the paint as well. He was more confident as a ball handler and drove the ball and even made some baby hooks. Add that to shooting about 50% from 3 and Niels was one of the critical pieces of the puzzle that came together as the team moved toward the tournament.

To hit those two critical 3 pointers was just so awesome. His going cold for that stretch would have been a lousy way to end his career. Instead, he was one of the heroes who brought home the championship. It looked like he could not have been a better teammate and representative of the University of Connecticut.

Even when he wasn't shooting well I thought he played well just from what he was doing defensively and on the boards as well as his spacing. The loudest cheers (besides when the clock hit 0, or more realistically about 4 seconds) were when he hit those 2 daggers. I was so happy to see him hit his trademark, and the relief he must have felt.

 

[sledog]

Love Rashad. But, if Rashad was 'microwave', the Neils is 'Cosmicwave' . More energy: E= hf (per Albert).

 

[G0UCONN]

This kid will go down in Husky lore. A skinny kid from Berlin, Germany comes to a rural place in a state I'm sure he couldn't locate on a map and grows into a man over four years. He won a title his first year and then all of the NCAA bull went down, he could have transferred like the others or just went back to his own country where he would be comfortable and could make a lot of coin playing the game he loves surrounded by old friends and family. Niels didn't take the easy way out, he was always 10 toes in. Fast forward to his senior year and the glue guy turned into an assassin from three point range and became one of the best shooters in the entire country. In the tournament he seemed to completely lose his stroke once we got to the elite 8, he didn't sulk he just continued to get tough rebounds play great defense and be that glue guy we saw for his whole career. As the title game got extremely tight later in the game Niels found his spot over in the corner and calmly sank a huge three, then minutes later he accepts a pass from Bazz at the top and with ice water in his veins he sinks another dagger three. I want to thank Niels for leaving his country and coming here, not ever straying from the program when the going got tough and becoming one hell of a basketball player for the University of Connecticut..oh yeah and a 2 time National Champion!

+1

 

[DogMania]

Niels' 2 threes at the end of the championship game were huge. He struggled with his shot at times during the tourney but came up big in the championship game when needed most.

His 3 point shooting percentage (48.3%) throughout the season was unprecedented. But he was more than just a 3 point specialist. He learned to score off the bounce, rebounded and defended both 3s and 4s very well throughout the tournament.

 

[BJ_Toscano]

Bazz on Niels: "He's been one of the best shooters in the world, in college basketball. But, whatever it takes. Coach Ollie could tell him to jump off the building and he would jump off the building."

 

[UConnfan8]

the kind of guy you want and UConn prides themselves on. A guy who comes in, works hard and learns...and becomes the best he can be over the years. We've seen so many of them in our program, and Niels just proved the system works again this year. I'll never forget Giff, he will always be loved in his second home and I think he loves us as well. THANK YOU NIELS!

 

[2north]

Definitely going to miss Niels, plural.

 

[NightDog]

Definitely will miss him. You never had the oh-no feeling when he came in. The game would take on a different complexity when he laced up-quicker, faster, smarter. How great was it when they went to that three guard line up that pushed him and DD to the 4 and 5, respectively?! Last summer he played with the German National Team, grew a beard and came back a man. Thanks Niels!

 

[zymurg]

Definitely will miss him. You never had the oh-no feeling when he came in. The game would take on a different complexity when he laced up-quicker, faster, smarter. How great was it when they went to that three guard line up that pushed him and DD to the 4 and 5, respectively?! Last summer he played with the German National Team, grew a beard and came back a man. Thanks Niels!

Niels was the classic low maintenence high reward player. I remember clearly Fran Fraschilla's comments on his recruitment. Niels was the equivalent of a top 100 player. Fraqschilla commented favorably on his ability to guard fours and even fives in Euro national under 18 and 19 games. Last summer in the European Championship his play with the German National team opened eyes. Niels was a valuable reserve, hit
key threes and played top level defense. As Yarders are wont to do; there was a lot of kvetching during the season about his lack of shooting.
Was Ollie at fault for not designing plays, was Niels at fault for not pulling the trigger? In the tournament Niels showed a variety of skills and
the heart to mix it up and take physical punishment without complaining. Shot on shot off; he always found ways to contribute. He was full of praise for his teammates in interviews. He clearly loves the game, loves his teammates, and Coach Ollie. I hope that Herman Rodel, former UNC player and his coach, can send us one or two more players who are Giffey like inside.

Just because no one else as mentioned it; I feel that no discussion of his UConn career is complete without it, remember the game against Memphis on their home floor in the AAC tourney. Seven threes, seven threes, seven threes, seven threes, seven threes, seven threes, seven threes. He cut down the nets twice in an NCAA championship game.

So Herman Rodel, what have you done for the Huskies lately.

 

[nyc2014]

I love Neils but let's be honest he missed a TON of wide open 3's against MSU and UF. He did end up hitting 2 huge shots in the National Championship, but there is no denying he was cold for 2-3 straight games and I haven't seen one person post about that yet

 

[CTBasketball]

I love Neils but let's be honest he missed a TON of wide open 3's against MSU and UF. He did end up hitting 2 huge shots in the National Championship, but there is no denying he was cold for 2-3 straight games and I haven't seen one person post about that yet

We won those games and that is what March is about. When we were struggling offensively in the 2nd half of the UK game, he stepped up.

 

[ridgelife]

I love Neils but let's be honest he missed a TON of wide open 3's against MSU and UF. He did end up hitting 2 huge shots in the National Championship, but there is no denying he was cold for 2-3 straight games and I haven't seen one person post about that yet

Yes he was ice cold against MSU and Florida, and a 3 point specialist would probably not see much time on the court with a run like that. But you are just proving the point of how much he really meant to the team. Even when his shot was not falling, he was guarding multiple positions effectively, diving for loose balls, taking care of the ball, and grabbing boards while also holding onto them with dear life. And I'm sure he was told by KO and Bazz to keep shooting, and he eventually hit two monumental threes. Niels has been a true CHAMPION and his contributions to the program are immeasurable.

 

[Kitaman]

Niels makes one very comfortable about not having burger boys. Role players are necessary and he was one of our best!

Lets hope he visits the USA (if the NBA doesn't call) for some alumni games.

 

[David 76]

Love Niels. He was huge for us. What a great teammate and ambassador for UCONN. And the loyalty. Love that he speaks English with an urban dialect.
All the NBA talk has focused on Bazz, Boat & Daniels. Does he have any shot at a second round pick? Would he play in the developmental league and try to go the rout of his coach? Or would he just go back to Germany to play?