How did Nevada Wolf Pack legend Nick Fazekas go from nearly quitting college basketball to the NBA, a 55-point debut in the Philippines, and ultimately becoming a basketball superstar in Japan?
In this episode of The Gametime Guru Podcast, Shane Larson sits down with former Nevada basketball star and professional basketball veteran Nick Fazekas for an incredible conversation about basketball, adversity, the business of professional sports, and a career that took him around the world.
Nick's journey begins in Colorado, where basketball was part of his life from an early age. After an enormous growth spurt in high school, he developed into one of the top players in the state and eventually became Mr. Colorado.
But when Nick arrived at the University of Nevada, success did not come immediately.
He was a skilled 6-foot-11 freshman trying to compete against older and stronger Division I players. Nick opens up about struggling to find minutes, watching Nevada earn huge victories without being able to contribute the way he wanted, and even calling his dad to tell him he was thinking about quitting.
He stayed.
That decision helped lead to a remarkable college career that included four NCAA Tournament appearances, a Sweet 16 run, and one of Nick's favorite memories: going into Kansas and helping Nevada defeat the Jayhawks on their home floor.
Nick then entered professional basketball and was selected 34th overall by the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Draft.
From there, this conversation pulls back the curtain on a side of professional basketball that fans rarely get to see.
Nick talks about:
- Being drafted by the Dallas Mavericks
- Playing in the D-League with former Nevada teammate Ramon Sessions
- How the Jason Kidd trade impacted his opportunity in Dallas
- Being waived and suddenly wondering what came next
- Earning 10-day contracts with the Los Angeles Clippers
- Working his way into the Clippers rotation
- Guarding players such as Dwight Howard
- The role agents and contracts can play in an NBA career
- Why being talented enough for the NBA does not always guarantee an NBA roster spot
After his NBA opportunities began to disappear, Nick's career moved overseas.
Europe brought another series of challenges. He dealt with difficult team situations, uncertainty, injuries, and eventually discovered that his ankle contained 16 bone chips and two bone spurs.
Surgery was supposed to fix the problem.
Instead, complications contributed to a long and frustrating recovery that left Nick wondering whether his professional basketball career might be finished before he was 30 years old.
Then a message on Facebook changed everything.
Nick received an opportunity to play in the Philippines. He arrived still dealing with the effects of his ankle problems and then scored 55 points in his first game.
His career had life again.
That opportunity eventually led Nick to Japan, where his basketball story became even more remarkable.
Nick spent 12 years with the same organization in Japan, had his jersey retired, embraced the culture, learned the language, became a Japanese citizen, and eventually represented the Japanese national basketball team.
He also played alongside a young Rui Hachimura, who was still at Gonzaga at the time.
In Nick's first game with the Japanese national team, Japan faced an Australian team featuring NBA talent including Matthew Dellavedova and Thon Maker. Nick remembers producing roughly 28 points and 14 rebounds as Japan defeated Australia in what he describes as "far and away the biggest win in Japanese basketball history."
The run continued.
Japan went on the road to face Chinese Taipei with its FIBA World Cup hopes on the line. Nick remembers another dominant performance as Japan won, continued its qualifying run, and eventually reached the FIBA Basketball World Cup.
Nick also discusses watching basketball transform in Japan from a sport that often drew small crowds into a rapidly growing professional and international basketball culture.
Ultimately, this episode is about much more than basketball.
It is about resilience.
Nick's career did not follow a straight line. He nearly quit in college. His NBA opportunity disappeared. His body nearly forced him to retire. Europe did not become the destination he expected.
And yet one unexpected opportunity eventually helped create a basketball career and life that he never could have predicted.
Whether you are a basketball player, coach, parent, Nevada Wolf Pack fan, NBA fan, international basketball fan, or someone navigating adversity in your own life, Nick Fazekas' story is a reminder to keep working, stay ready, and remain open to where the journey may take you.
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The Gametime Guru Podcast, hosted by Shane Larson, delivers a panoramic view on sports through conversations with athletes, coaches, executives, entrepreneurs, trainers, and influential sports figures from around the world.
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