We have seen some great in-season tournaments in the past (Battle 4 Atlantis, Maui Invitational, etc.), but the Players Era Festival has simply taken things to another level. Last year’s debut featured 8 teams, but this year there is an 18-team field featuring some of the best teams from the best conferences in the country. It is taking place this week in Las Vegas, and we could not be more excited to be there in person! HoopsHD is covering all the angles so you can look forward to an abundance of access in the days ahead. Jon Teitel continues our coverage from Sin City with an interview of Tony Heise, whose son Nate plays for Iowa State.
Your son Nate was born/raised in Minnesota and began his college career at Northern Iowa, where he made the 2021 MVC All-Freshman Team: how was he able to come in and contribute right from the start? He knew that the only way he would see the floor was playing good defense, and if you play good defense for Coach Ben Jacobson then he will let you play. He gained a lot of valuable experience.
He only played 2 games in 2022 before suffering a season-ending hand injury: how bad was it, and how was he able to get back onto the court? He broke a finger badly and they had to put a pin in there. It took almost 6 months to heal.
He was named to the MVC Scholar-Athlete 2nd-Team multiple times: how does he balance his work on the court with his work in the classroom? He is a pretty smart kid. Throughout high school/college he knew that an education is the #1 thing you need to succeed in the real world.
Why did he decide to transfer in 2024, and what made him choose Iowa State? He knew that he had a chance to go to the next level and always liked Iowa State assistant coach Kyle Green. It is not far from home so he chose the Cyclones over the Gophers.
Last December he scored 10 PTS/4-7 FG in a 9-PT win at Iowa: how big a deal is the Cy-Hawk rivalry? That is a really fun rivalry and he is a big-game player (like today when he is facing St. John’s). Throughout high school/college he has played well in those type of games.
Last March in the NCAA tourney he scored 9 PTS in a win over Lipscomb and 13 PTS in a loss to Mississippi: what was your favorite memory from his 1st trip to “March Madness”? I played basketball from when I was a kid all the way through college but never had the opportunity to make the NCAA tourney. Nate finally got the opportunity and took advantage: it was a dream come true.
This year he was named the team’s 1st-ever defensive captain: what is his secret for playing good defense? He is a smart player who can see plays developing before they happen. He takes pride in it and knows that he has to be a stopper/leader for his team.
He has won 18 of his 20 career home games in Ames: how do you explain “Hilton Magic” to someone who has never seen it in person? It is hard to say. He loves playing in front of a big crowd with all the fans/excitement: it gets him pumped up.
You/your spouse/your son Ryan all played college basketball, and your daughter Taylor won gold medals for Team USA at 2 of the past 3 women’s ice hockey world championships: who is the best athlete in the family? That is a tough 1…but Taylor has been winning gold medals around the world and will probably make the Olympic team this winter.
Any predictions for the Cyclones this week? They had a really good win today and have good team chemistry. Everyone has bought in and if everyone is clicking then they can be a very good team.
