NOAH NORGAARD INTERVIEW

article by Jaspaire

As is often the case, FIBA youth competitions took place this summer. Noah Norgaard is a Danish player currently playing at La Laguna Tenerife. The Danish point guard made a big impression during this summer's FIBA u18 campaign.

Averaging 16 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists, the 16-year-old prospect caused quite a stir in the Symbiose editorial office.

We had the chance to chat with him to learn more about his background, his views on basketball in a country like Denmark and his long-term ambition in basketball.

INTERVIEW

Can you tell us a bit about your background ? How did you get into basketball, and what inspired you to pursue it professionally ?

1. I began my basketball journey at Glostrup Basketball Club, where I played for about two months before transferring to one of the top clubs in Denmark, BMS Herlev. Seeking a bigger challenge, I made the bold decision to join a prestigious Spanish basketball academy in Madrid at the age of 13. I spent 2.5 years there, having some outstanding seasons and gaining recognition from CB Canarias (La Laguna Tenerife). Impressed by the environment, the staff, and the people of Tenerife, I accepted their invitation to try out.

After a positive experience, they offered me a two-year contract, which I gladly signed.

2. Basketball has always been in my blood. My brother was a former Division 1 player who competed overseas, my mom is in her college's Hall of Fame. Despite this, I initially chose to pursue soccer at a young age.

However, as I grew older, my other brother started playing basketball and shared how much fun it was. I had always enjoyed shooting around with him, so I decided to switch to basketball and joined Glostrup, where he was playing.

3. What inspired me when I first transitioned from soccer to basketball was the unique drive I felt for the game. Over the years, I've seen my progress and realized that no matter where you're from or how tall you are, success comes down to hard work—and I love hard work. My motivation is further fueled by seeing how proud my family is of me. They are incredibly supportive, and when things don’t go as planned, they are always there to guide me, even though I'm far from home. It's the drive that comes from putting in the hard work and witnessing my own improvement over the past few years that continues to inspire me

What does it mean to you to represent Denmark in basketball ? How do you feel about the growth of the sport in your country ?

It means a lot to me to be among the top 12 players selected to represent such a great country. Even though Denmark is small and basketball isn’t as popular as other sports, it’s always an honor and a source of pride to represent my country in these competitions.

I can see that basketball is growing in Denmark. It’s becoming more popular as more people start to play. Although I’m not currently playing there, I notice the difference when I return. The level of play is still quite different compared to other places in Europe, but I’m encouraged to see so many young players improving and receiving more training from their schools and clubs. This progress shows that Danish basketball is moving in the right direction. When I was playing in Denmark, there weren’t as many training opportunities, but it’s improving, and the sport is definitely growing.

How would you describe your playing style on the court ? Are there any players, past or present, who have influenced your game ?

I would say that scoring has always been my primary skill, and I’m pretty good at it. However, I've significantly improved my passing, game management, and decision-making. I realized that as a player of my height, I needed to develop these skills as well, so I've been working hard to become a scoring point guard who can step up and score when needed.

In the beginning, I closely studied Klay Thompson, especially his ability to shoot without needing to create off the dribble, and his exceptional defense. I admired how he moved off the ball and tried to incorporate that into my game. As I improved, I realized that I needed to do more than just score, so I started watching older games, particularly those of John Stockton, one of my all-time favorite players. I believe he’s one of the most impressive point guards to ever play the game, with his ability to control the tempo and his elite passing. Stockton was an outstanding all-around point guard, and his basketball IQ really influenced my approach to the game.

I also studied Russell Westbrook to learn how to attack more effectively and powerfully off pick-and-rolls, but Stockton had the most impact on my game due to his intelligence and masterful style of play. Last season, I also looked up to Kyle Guy, who played for the first team at my club. His one-on-one skills, ability to create space for a shot, and his clutch scoring really caught my attention.

What are your short-term and long-term goals in your basketball career ? Where do you see yourself in the next 5-10 years ?

Long-Term Goals: In the long term, I see myself continuing to play basketball, always striving to become the best version of myself both as a player and as a person. My ultimate dream has always been to make it to the NBA or to compete at the highest levels of basketball, like the EuroLeague or ACB. Those are my long-term goals: to play at the highest level possible. I’m committed to putting in the work until I achieve that.

Short-Term Goals: In the short term, my focus remains the same: to keep putting in the hard work, not only in basketball but also in my personal development. I want to keep improving every day, both on and off the court.

Where I See Myself in 5-10 Years: In 5 to 10 years, I envision myself playing for a top club in Europe or a top college, continuing to work hard in all aspects—basketball, personal growth, and mental strength.

My ultimate goal is to make it to the NBA or to sign with a top club in the EuroLeague or ACB. The NBA has always been my dream, and I will keep working until I make it a reality. However, I also have a deep appreciation for the way basketball is played in Europe. So, I see myself competing in one of those leagues, driven by my mentality and determination to achieve my goals. Nothing else is possible for me—I will work and push myself until I make it happen.

Basketball requires both physical and mental strength. How do you balance these aspects in your training and during games ?

In Training: I always make sure to do what’s best for my body, and I have a great support team helping me with that. The physical training is especially beneficial because we focus on my long-term development. We always start with a solid core workout, then move on to weights. After that, we dedicate 40 minutes solely to improving explosiveness, speed, and lateral movement. Mentally, I stay locked in with a mindset to work hard and push through any challenges. There are no excuses because I’m determined to achieve my goals.

In Games: One thing I’ve learned from my dad and my national team’s assistant coach this year, Rob Fields, who had a successful career as a guard, is to focus on controlling what I can control. They both told me not to worry and always be ready, no matter the circumstances. The only thing I can control is how I play and how I help the team win. Whether the coach gives me 10 minutes or 30 seconds, I’m always ready to give it my all. This mindset has really elevated my game. It took me a while to fully understand it, but now that I do, it’s made a huge difference in my performance. You can’t control the referees, the coach’s decisions, or anything else. You can only control how you play with the time you’re given, and that’s what I focus on—staying ready and making the most of every opportunity.

Physically, I have a specific warm-up routine that includes ball handling, shooting, and sometimes even a workout or shootaround before games. I always make sure to stretch and get a thorough warm-up in, so I’m fully prepared to perform at my best.

Outside of basketball, what are some of your hobbies or interests ? How do you unwind after a tough game or practice session ?

I would describe myself as someone who prefers to chill and have fun rather than going out to party like most young people. I'm not really into the party scene. I’d much rather have a light shootaround with a close friend, hang out and talk, or maybe go out for a meal with friends. Sometimes we’ll play poker or cards and gamble a little bit, or we’ll play PlayStation together. I’m a laid-back guy who enjoys spending time with friends, but I also value my time with family. Since I’m in Tenerife for 10 months out of the year, I try to spend as much time as possible with my parents and family when I can.

After Practice or Games: After practice or a game, I usually head home, take a shower, stretch, and have a cooldown session. Then, I’ll eat dinner, and while I’m relaxing, I always make a call to my parents to check in and talk with them while I have ice on my knees.

What advice would you give to young, aspiring basketball players who look up to you and want to follow in your footsteps ?

As a wise player once told me, "Keep following your dreams, no matter what." If you work hard enough and put in more effort than anyone else, you will see improvement. It's all about controlling what you can control—that's the best mindset anyone can have. A hard worker focused on what they can control is a powerful mindset, and I believe more people should adopt it. Always stay humble and take care of your body. That's crucial. When you're putting in as much work as I do, or as others do, it's important to have rest days, focus on mobility, and stretch. It’s the best way to keep your body healthy for the long run of your basketball career. And the hardworker always beats the talent, if the talent doesnt work hard like the hardworker Never forget where you came from. Learn from and admire the best, and help others by offering advice when you see them going in the wrong direction.

At the same time, always aim to inspire those around you and, above all, stay humble.

Looking beyond basketball, do you have any other ambitions or dreams for the future, either in sports or in other areas of your life ?

I’ve always really liked soccer. I used to play it when I was younger, and sometimes I still join in for friendly matches. I also play a lot of FIFA, so my love for the game has stayed with me. I’ve also been keeping an eye on American football—it seems like a great sport as well. As for my future, my dream would be to become a marketing expert. Once I’ve earned enough, I’d like to start investing and eventually buy my own company. Another big dream of mine is to somehow spend my life with my Danish family and friends. I’m not sure how it’ll all work out, but that’s probably my biggest goal of all.