Niels Giffey is in his junior year as a Forward for the UConn Huskies.

As a junior Niels is going to help out the freshman through communication. "We older guys have to set a standard. We have to do all the little things, and show the younger guys how to hustle, and how to work hard. We need to let them know that they always have to listen to the coaches, and focus in on what they are trying to do." The most important things Niels has learned from his experience here at UConn so far is how to be confident about himself, to play physical, and to use his athleticism.

Niels most memorable experience so far has been winning both the National Collegiate Athletic Association Championship and the Big East Championship.

UConn has met Neils expectations because he knew it was going to be so different from anything he had experienced that he simply had no expectations. "I didn't know what to expect when I came here because it was such a different experience from everything I did before in my life. I'm a having a great time."

Prior to UConn his most memorable experience was three years ago while in Germany playing for club team Alba Berlin. "We won the National Championship in Germany. I had a great game, and we played good as a team so that is definitely a great memory."

Making his decision to come to UConn, Niels said it was a long recruiting process. "I tried to figure out which university was the best for me." Other schools that were interested in Niels were Louisville, Michigan, Gonzaga and UCLA. When asked why UConn over the other schools Niels said, "I think UConn wanted me the most, and UConn was my number one choice so I was really feeling comfortable. It was like a win - win situation."

When asked what it takes to make Coach Ollie happy Niels said, "Playing hard every day, not playing selfish, playing for the team, and actually playing as a whole team.  That's what he wants, and that's what's going to make him happy."

Niels is looking forward to the season opener in Germany. "I'm looking forward to seeing my family. It's a six hour drive from where my family is from, but my parents are coming. I'm really, really excited for that game. My mom came to the Final Four in 2011 but that's the only time one of my parents came to see me play for UConn."