Question: You're back in the United States after spending part of the summer in the Olympic qualifying tournament; what was that experience like to play for Angola? There's nothing better than putting on your country's colors and you were obviously with a friend of many at Maryland, Bruno Fernando, out there.
Selton Miguel: It was a great experience to represent my country and play with one of my best friends in Bruno. It was a good experience to play for Angola because the country has been through a lot. Having the opportunity to compete for a shot at the Olympics means a lot. I grew up playing with a lot of the guys who play for the national teams so it was definitely a dream come true.
Q: You were able to do some TV appearances in Angola and it feels like Angolans love their basketball and really have a ton of love for you guys. What is it like when you go back there? You've done basketball clinics there and community events. What is it like to go back there and feel that love?
SM: It always feels good. You know, when I was younger I was looking up to people that were playing here and now they look up to me. So it's been pretty good, and I don't take that very lightly, because God can give me and take me at the same time. So I'm in this position right now that I'm a living proof, so when I go back they are really happy. I'm in a great position, and I have a voice there, so they can all listen to it. It's been pretty amazing when I go home because everyone is just excited for me when I'm there.
Q: The young Angolan hoopers are in the gym pretending to be Selton Miguel. That's a pretty cool feeling. We have to ask about our old friend, Bruno Fernando, an all time Maryland fan favorite, a guy that fans loved in the XFINITY Center for his emotion. Describe your relationship with him and how he helps mentor you as you go through your basketball journey.
SM: I'll say he is like my best friend, we talk a lot, not just basketball related, but just life in general. He was one of the guys that when I first came to America he was already here, he was the guy mentoring me and showing me how everything is supposed to be, and explaining how different it would be from home. So when I got here, it was definitely different, because I came from Portugal, and everything is different culturally. He was definitely the guy that I could count on every day. I can call him anytime, and he would pick up the phone. When I was done with USF, in the portal, just talking to him helped me out. I wanted to keep a legacy back home, which is one of the reasons why I came to Maryland. And having two Angolans that played for Maryland, who knows if that will ever happen again.
Gallery: (7-5-2024) MBB: Selton Miguel - Angola #FIBAOQT
Q: How much has he kind of blazed a trail for young Angolan players? From being drafted in the NBA and putting together his career; how much do you guys all look up to him as the guy that blazed that trail?
SM: There's a lyric by Lil Baby that goes: "I'm God in my hood, I gave everybody hope." That's him. He gives everybody hope back home. Everybody looks up to him. He's one of the guys that, when he is back home, he really does a lot of things for the kids. That's the first thing. Every time he's there, he is interacting with the kids. He goes to talk to the kids and does podcast stuff with them, making them feel loved, and everything else that is related. So he really does a lot for the community when he's back home, and when he's here too. He's definitely somebody that helps the country a lot.
Q: You got in the portal, and you're looking for a place to go. Obviously, Bruno helped influence your decision to come here. But you're making your own decision, and basketball is a huge factor, regardless of what you want to get out of it. As you looked at Maryland, why did you decide it was the best place for you at the time in your college basketball journey?
SM: First, it was the high level of competition. Also, I felt like I wanted to go somewhere that didn't want me, but needed me. When I was here, I felt the love talking to Kevin Norris. I knew Coach Norris since I came to the States. Even though he was UCF and I was USF, we always had that relationship. So when he first got the job, the first thing he did was tell me Maryland was the right place for me. And then I came here, took the visit and everything, talked to Coach Willard, who I already knew, and just built a relationship with everyone. It just felt like it was the best decision to come to Maryland.
Q: You've been on campus now for a little bit this summer practicing with the team. The physicality you guys have in the back court and the different types of options that you have there have been talking points in the offseason. Describe what that's been like to play with all those guys, especially the guards who seem to be big and physical. Jalen Young was saying earlier, you're one of the best scorers he's ever seen.
SM: It's been fun, it's been very fun. We're trying to build something here that can be talked about for years. We got a group of guys that have college basketball experience, so it's been pretty cool. Having guys like DeShawn, who is 6-foot-5 and over 200 pounds, and then the freshman Malachi, who's a freshman and already over 200 pounds, and then me. Rod and Ja'Kobi are both around 200 pounds. So having guards who are built that way that you play on a daily basis just gets you better overall. They get you better mentally and physically. And second, when you go hard, everybody goes hard, and everybody is getting better. That's basically what we're trying to do; everybody gets better because anybody can have an off night. But you can count on the other guards who you know can do something for the team.
Q: How fun is it to play with two big guys like Juju and Derek?
SM: It's really fun because at first I didn't know how it would be with them, two guys that played together. But when they play together, it's really fun to watch, because I think they have known each other since high school. They grew up with each other. I feel like Queen came to the right school to play with Juju. So when we play five-on-five and they are on the same team, the guards don't even have to do much. Just being honest, we just there looking, and they do all of the work. Queen, he's a big that can really pass, even though he's a freshman, but he can really pass, and he really knows the game. Juju has been in college so he has that overall experience. It is just really good for the team and we need that.
Q: I want to ask you about an off court thing. We were popping through your Instagram a little bit and you were doing a fashion show, a little runway walk. How did that come about? Do you enjoy fashion?
SM: After the season, one of the owners at USF, he has something with Ferrari, and the guy that owns Ferrari was the one organizing the show. He was like I think you'd be good for a fashion show, come try it. So I was like, all right, let's see how it goes. Next thing, you know, everything was perfect. I really liked it. It was just a very good show. I enjoy fashion and dressing up and this was a pretty unique experience.
Q: When you look at playing in front of this Maryland crowd, obviously, I'm sure you've heard about it from Bruno, a guy that really embraced the energy in here. How excited are you to play in front of the fans in College Park?
SM: I'm definitely excited. Even when I committed, when I first got here for the visit, there were already fans saying what's up and just interacting with me and telling me things about Angola. So it was pretty cool. They were like, it's really a basketball school, and they really enjoy it, so I'm really looking forward to it. I'm looking forward to having them excited because, like I said we got a good team, and we can definitely do something special this year, even though it's early. But I already can see the pieces are there because that's what happened to my team at USF. It was early, and we already knew how good it could be. So it's definitely going to be good for us and the whole DMV area, for sure.
Q: We'll get you out of here on a few rapid fire questions. First, you've been to a lot of places all around the world here at this point. What's your favorite place outside the US or Angola?
SM: I'll say Lisbon, Portugal.
Q: What's theTV show you've just finished streaming or the one you're watching right now?
SM: Power. I am watching that right now and they just came out with a new season.
Q: What's the music you're listening to right now?
SM: For music, I would say, Drake, Lil Baby, and NBA Youngboy. Also, some calm music. I like SZA, yeah. I also like Meek Mill. I've got different types of tastes.
Q: Who's the funniest guy on the team?
SM: I think Tafara, by far, but it's between DQ and Tafara. I'm just thinking about howTafara makes me laugh. He's a funny man.
Q: And then last, what's the thing from Angola you miss the most in the US?
SM: Of course, my family. But I'll say, we have food that just isn't anywhere else and I can only get when I go home. So I only get to eat those things every two or three years which is tough!
