Catching up with Greg Stiemsma's pro career
February 04, 2009 | Men's Basketball
Greg Stiemsma began his professional career this season after signing with Oyak Renault, a first-division team in Turkey. He posted three double-doubles with Oyak Renault including a career-best 16 points and 13 rebounds vs. Mersin on Jan. 21, 2009. Through 17 games he averaged 7.9 ppg and 6.7 rpg. Just recently, Stiemsma signed a professional contract with a first-division team in Korea named the Cntry=SOUTH%20KOREA&Team=3196&Page=1"> --> South Korea Knights .
Over his four-year collegiate career at Wisconsin (2004-08), Stiemsma appeared in 95 games and ranks fifth in school history with 96 career blocks. In his final year as a Badger, he played in 35 of 36 games and started seven of them. Stiemsma averaged 11.5 minutes per game and led the team with 40 blocked shots. He had four double-digit scoring performances, including a career-high 14 points in the NCAA tournament against Kansas State his senior year.
1. When was the last time you were in Madison'
I was back in Madison living there all summer before heading overseas.
2. When is the next time you are planning on returning to Madison'
I have a break coming up the week of Feb 16-22. So, I will hopefully get to Madison for a day or two over that weekend. The guys are on the road that week so I will not be able to make it to a game, but I will hopefully make it to a practice.
3. What do you miss most about Madison'
I really miss the atmosphere and the people. It was so much fun to have the whole city supporting us all the time. When we would go to the mall and out to eat and other stuff like that, it was fun to have people come up to us and tell us good luck this weekend, or different stuff like that.
4. What is your greatest memory as a member of the Badger men's basketball team'
It would definitely have to be the Penn State game on senior night. Just to have the cards play out like that, to be able to win the Big Ten title on senior night and to play the way we did, it was just awesome.
5. Where are you currently living '
I just moved to Korea to start with a new team, but I spent several months before that playing professional basketball in Bursa, Turkey. My team was Oyak Renault, and we are in the Turkish Basketball League.
6. What was daily life like in Turkey'
Daily life is a lot like college, except class. We lift 2-3 times per week and practice twice a day. We only play on the weekends, so the weeks can get kind of long, but it is easier on our bodies.
7. Besides it being professional vs. collegiate, what are some key differences between the game you're playing now than it was with the Badgers'
The biggest thing is that the guys I play here are grown men. There are a lot of experienced players in this league and it is very physical.
8. What has been your greatest moment professionally thus far' How has the season gone'
I wouldn't really say I have had any great moments professionally yet, but hopefully some are coming soon. I got quite a few minutes and even had a few double-doubles with Oyak Renault. I haven't had a double-double since high school so it felt great to contribute so much for my team.
