FARMVILLE, Va. – Longwood University freshman men’s basketball student-athlete Karl Ziegler|Annandale is this week’s Longwood Male Athlete of the Week. The 6-5 forward averaged 9.0 points and 4.5 rebounds, making 10-12 (83%) free throws while adding three assists and two steals in two games last week. He scored a career-high 12 points (8-8 FTs), adding five rebounds at Liberty University on January 22, and followed that performance with six points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals against Presbyterian on Jan. 26. He has started two of 21 games, and is averaging 6.1 points and 2.8 rebounds, while shooting 44% (44-101, 0-1 3FG) from the field and 70% (40-57) at the free throw line.
AR: What’s it like getting to see so much playing time as a freshman?
KZ: It’s definitely been a positive experience. I know against some teams, at times, like VCU and Arkansas, it was a little overwhelming with the speed of the game and how intense they played defensively, but I feel like I’m learning from every game. My teammates have been really positive. They kind of give me instruction and help me out.
AR: Do you find yourself getting a lot of advice from older players?
KZ: Definitely, especially with our captains. Tristan Carey has taken me under his wing. At practices if I’m struggling or don’t know an assignment on defense or offense, he’s always trying to help me out and get me through it, so it’s definitely been good. Our teammates have definitely been helping us freshmen along the way.”
AR: Talk about the Liberty game where you scored a season-high 12 points?
KZ: That game kind of caught me by surprise because Coach Gillian put me in the starting lineup on short notice. I was mainly just trying to focus on defense and rebounding and just going through the flow of the game, so I guess that’s just how I got 12 points.
AR: What’s your favorite thing about Longwood Basketball?
KZ: Probably the relationships we’ve built as a team. I feel like we’re a very close team. Everybody gets along. In the locker room, we’re always cracking jokes and having fun, so I feel like our chemistry is there.
AR: Do you have any superstitions or pregame rituals?
KZ: I do the same pregame ritual every game. I have to cut my nails the day before the game and I have to shave right before the game. I have a couple songs I listen to right before the game and I try to look at some YouTube videos of LeBron James to get me in the mindset to play.
AR: Do you have any role models?
KZ: My parents. The person that I am today is basically because of my mom and dad. Even the way I play, like the tough and gritty aspect that I bring to the game, is mainly from my parents and also my grandparents. My grandfather has always told me not to back down from anybody and that’s the mindset that I take into basketball and into life as well.
AR: What advice would you give to an aspiring player?
KZ: Probably that hard work pays off because that’s the mentality that I have. Just remember that when you’re not working, someone else is. Also, always stay humble. My parents always taught me to be humble and never be cocky or anything like that. Have the same mindset on the basketball court that you do in real life and every should work out.
AR: Why did you choose Longwood?
KZ: I’m from northern Virginia, so I really wanted to stay in Virginia so that my parents and sisters could come see me play. That was definitely a big deal for me. I also like the small college aspect. I feel like I wouldn’t do well at a college with 30,000 students. I like Longwood’s tight-knit aspect and atmosphere.
AR: What’s your favorite place on campus?
KZ: I’m probably going to have to say Willett Hall because I’m there so much. Also Dorrill Dining Hall. I’m a pretty big guy, so I like to eat.
AR: How are you handling balancing Division I athletics and academics?
KZ: Going back to my mom, that’s something that she really stresses for me. We actually talked about it the other day with time management. The basketball aspect hasn’t been too bad, so just balancing the increased work load from high school to college has been something I’m trying to get adjusted to. Assistant coach (Doug) Thibault, Maya (Ozery) and Michelle (Meadows) have really been helping me out so the transition has gone smoothly.
