Like Mike

After a successful career at WIU, Mike Miklusak took his talents across the pond

MACOMB, Ill.- It was what he was used to being tasked with: knock down 3-pointers, rebound the basketball and guard every position on the court. Former Leatherneck basketball standout (2013-2017) Mike Miklusak just completed his first season overseas playing for Den Bosch Basketball of the Netherlands basketball league and it was a good one – a really good one.

The 6-foot-6 forward set out to make an impact on the court and he did, guiding New Bosch to a 24-8 season while starting every contest and averaging 11.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and shooting 39.5 percent from 3-point territory.

"After my career ended at WIU, I immediately jumped into the process of wanting to play overseas," Miklusak said. "I had over 20 agents contact me and I interviewed about five of them and signed the one I felt most comfortable with. After that, it was really all in his hands. He sent out my game films to his connections and we went from there. Den Bosch ended up offering me a pretty good deal and my agent told me it was an ideal situation for my rookie season so I took it, and it was a great decision."

After getting over the fact that there was now an ocean between Miklusak and his friends and family, one of the first things that he noticed was the use of bicycles - he was surprised to see people riding no matter the weather.

"I found it interesting how much they ride bikes in the Netherlands. With it being so much smaller than the states, bikes are very efficient," he said. They do not care if it's raining, snowing or freezing cold. That's many peoples' main form of transportation."

Shooting 3-pointers was much like riding a bike for Miklusak, something he picked up immediately once he began to play overseas. He was honored with the Kees Akerboom Trophy, which is given to the best 3-point shooter in the Dutch Basketball League. He made a total of 78 shots from behind the arc, including a 6-8 performance in a 114-86 win against Rotterdam. In 32 contests, Miklusak netted a 3-pointer in all but one game, including 20 games with two or more trifectas.

"It was such an honor to win this award and bring it back to Den Bosch because the award is named after a former player from Den Bosch," the Dyer, Indiana, native said.

As a senior in a Purple and Gold uniform, Miklusak averaged 15.5 points and a team-high 8.9 rebounds. In his junior campaign, the 6-foot-6 forward was a member of the 2015-16 squad that opened the season beating Wisconsin 69-67 in Madison.

Although Den Bosch would love to have the sharpshooter back on the floor next year, Miklusak has signed a contract with Gries Oberhoffen of France's Pro B League for the 2018-19 season.

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Players Mentioned

#30 Mike Miklusak: F; 6' 6"; Senior; Lake Central

Players Mentioned

#30 Mike Miklusak
: 6' 6"; Senior; Lake Central
: F

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Players Mentioned

#30 Mike Miklusak

Players Mentioned

#30 Mike Miklusak