Fort Myers (Fla.), Ourense (Spain), and Groningen (Netherlands). Safe to say these cities are quite a bit different. But the one aspect that has been consistent for Chase Fieler on his basketball journey: the support. In his most recent stop, with Donar Groningen, fans are packed into an arena with a capacity (4,500) almost as large as Alico Arena.
"I’ve been very fortunate throughout my career to have that sort of backing and play in those environments. The crowd here is phenomenal - probably the best fans in all of Holland. We have the biggest arena and we’ve just about sold it out for the last few games," Fieler said. "Just their momentum gives us energy and helps us in the last stretches of the game and take advantage in the fourth quarter and pull out some victories."
With the endless support of fans around the community, there also comes an expectation of winning for a club that won the league championship two years ago and made it back to the finals last season.
"There is a lot of pressure to win here and I think that’s a good thing for the club - you want to have a club that expects to win. You don’t want to play for a club that doesn’t really care. I enjoy it, I think the pressure is good, it pushes us to play harder. It’s nice to know that you’re on a team that’s expected to win so I’m excited about that," Fieler said.
Despite some concern when the team did not get off to a great start, Fieler and Donar have won nine straight games since Dec. 19, including some very impressive margins of victory.
"We’ve really settled down and started to find our fluidity on offense. And really locked down on defense, our defense has come a long way. We’ve really nailed down our rotations, how we’re guarding things, where you need to be when this action is happening," Fieler said, also commending the calming presence of newly acquired point guard Lance Jeter. "We’ve all gotten on the same page - where before we didn’t really have that continuity. As a team we weren't playing together, we were playing different styles and trying to find our match."
In his second professional season, Fieler is averaging 10.5 points, 7 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. And to no one's surprise, the former Florida Gulf Coast forward has beenthrowing down some remarkable dunks.
"I’m playing more of a decision making role from the top of the key, rather than spacing into the corner like I did last year...looking to find my teammates and facilitate more than just attack every time," Fieler said.
When the Parkersburg, West Virginia native has an off-day from this new role, he tries to relax and get his body ready again for the daily grind of a professional athlete.
"Maybe go into town and watch a movie in the theaters or just go for something to eat and come back to my apartment and hang with a few of my teammates and just try to keep it as low bearing on my legs and body as I can to try to recover quickly for the next day," Fieler said. "And then before I go to sleep stretch out on a foam roller."
And while the time change has prevented him from watching his alma mater this season, Fieler has been religiously tracking the Eagles' progress online.
"I think the future looks very good for them. They're one game out of first so hopefully they’re able to pull through and able to battle in the tournament and get another appearance in March Madness. That would be great for Filip and Julian in their last year," said Fieler, praising the emergence of the young guys and timely performances from Marc-Eddy Norelia. "I think there’s a lot of promise in the program and a lot of young talent so I’m excited to see how they do in March."
Fellow alumni of the program, Sherwood Brown (Lebanon) and Bernard Thompson (Slovakia), have joined Fieler in the overseas ranks and are finding success of their own. Thompson is fourth in his league in scoring at 14.9 points per game, while Brown posted an impressive double-double (19 points, & 11 rebounds) earlier this month for Byblos.
"That’s what I expect out of them. They’re great players, have great work ethics, and are professionals, so I assume they’re gonna do well," Fieler said. "So when I watch it, I don’t think it surprises me as much as it is good to see. I expect it out of them as talented as they are."
