Nauris Miezis on Qualifying for Paris Olympics and Returning to Classic Basketball: Exclusive Interview

Nauris Barley | Photo: LBS

Latvian 3×3 national basketball team player Nauris Miezis in the podcast”Flexible” he said about qualifying for the Paris Olympic Games, and he also said that he really misses playing classic basketball.

Miezis commented on the current situation regarding participation in the Paris OS. “I can’t comment on the next steps because we haven’t met the team yet. There will be a meeting in the next few days, then we will sit down and discuss what the next plan is. I can say one thing – Latvia will go to the Olympic Games in 3×3 basketball, but what the composition is, it’s hard for me to say. If this was an individual sport, I think it would be easier to comment on everything.”

Miezis also revealed that he would like to return to classic basketball. “I really want to go back. There were offers and “Rīgas Zellļii” is definitely the biggest one and I hope there will be another offer. I really wanted to play this year, but of course I wasn’t allowed and I understand why. I want five-on-five basketball. If you asked me in the last three years what I like more, it would definitely be five to five basics. 3×3 basketball has already become a habit for me, so I want to change something.”

“In my opinion, Kārlis Lasmanis is still the best 3×3 basketball player in the world, who has been around for the last three, four years,” admitted Miezis. It’s my colleague, it’s me that’s all praise, but his gifts… I find it hard to see anyone stopping, really. He has all the gifts. In training, we play one-on-one and I understand that it is impossible to stop it. That man is a machine. Minor injuries are the only thing stopping him from having a decent and good season.”