Mike Daum back in the states tearing up 'The Tournament,' still chasing his NBA dream in Italy

Mike Daum can still play, and if anyone stateside forgot while he’s been continuing his career in Italy the last three years, he’s reminding them this week at The Basketball Tournament or ‘TBT,’ a summer event featuring some of the best non-NBA basketball players around and featuring a $1 million winner-take-all prize to the winning team.

The 6-foot-9 South Dakota State legend and three-time Summit League player of the year is playing in the TBT for the third year in a row, this year for team Sideline Cancer, and he hit a game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer in their first game on Monday, the biggest of several highlights among a 31-point performance.

And while Daum, now 26, still hasn’t played in the NBA, he’s not giving up on that dream. He’s spent three years in Italy with Monbus Obradoiro and Bertram Tortona, and is coming off his best season, averaging 12.7 points and 5.7 rebounds while shooting .475/.408/.850 in 29 games for Bertram Tortona. Playing alongside former Dallas Maverick Chris Wright and former USD Coyote big man Tyler Cain, Daum was Tortona’s second leading scorer.

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Meanwhile it’s been a big year for Daum, personally, as well, as he recently became engaged to professional volleyball player Taylor Agost. That means Daum is a bit more motivated than before to someday work his way back to the U.S. to continue his career, but the former Jackrabbit is enjoying the summer and took time out on his day off between games at the TBT in Cincinnati to catch up with Matt Zimmer of the Argus Leader.

MZ: First off, congrats on the engagement. I’ve got to ask – how tall is Taylor?

MD: Ha ha, 6-2. We’re hoping the kids will be 7-footers.

MZ: So how does that affect your basketball career? Will you be coming back to the states, staying in Italy for awhile?

MD: At the end of the day the goal is still to come back to the U.S. I just find myself in a really good situation right now in Italy where the money is good and I’m taking big steps in my game that I think will eventually lead to me getting back to the United States.

MZ: Could that mean the G-League, do you have some NBA feelers out there?

MD: I don’t know, my agent isn’t big on the G-League and I don’t know if I am, either. If I could get a two-way contract coming back to the states then I’d maybe consider the G-League. We’ll see what happens. I just hope if I have another good year things will work out how they’re supposed to.

Playing basketball in Italy

MZ: How’s playing in Italy?

MD: It’s awesome. The team (Bertram Tortona) really takes care of their guys. Everyone from top to bottom has been amazing. It’s in a pretty small town, which has its pros and cons – the club is so fast to get you help if there’s something wrong with your apartment or your car, but the downside is there’s not a lot to do.

MZ: How’s your game developing, do you feel like you’ve gotten better since you’ve been there?

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MD: For sure. I feel like I’m always hungry, always working to improve. I feel like the last season especially, defense has really been an area where I’ve really improved. I’ve really started to enjoy getting out and playing defense, picking up the pressure of being able to guard smaller guys and just being more versatile all around.

What it's like to play in TBT

MZ: You had a terrific game on Monday, is part of the reason you keep coming back to the TBT so you can get some American eyes on you?

MD: Yeah, it definitely is. The TBT has kind of become just a summer routine for me and I just really enjoy it. It’s live basketball in the summer and it’s starting to have some pretty amazing competition. A lot of former NBA guys and some of the top players in Europe are playing. That makes it even more enticing, and then that huge pot of money at the end gives you a spark to want to play, too, especially since it’s a chance to play back in America where I have so much support from fans and family and friends.

MZ: Only the winning team gets any prize money, so does your team take care of your meals and hotels and expenses?

MD: The team I’m playing on does, which is a good thing, because not all of them do. The teams have to come up with that money themselves. My fiancée is here with me and food and room is covered so it’s nice to be able to just come here and focus on basketball.

Keeping up with the Jackrabbits, former coaches

MZ: How much do you keep up with things back home, whether it’s the NBA or the Jacks?

MD: Pretty well. I have all the social media alerts turned on with the Jacks so I’m always seeing what’s going on with them, and I stay in touch with the few guys who are still there. Watching NBA games is tough. I have the League Pass but I mostly just watch the highlights because the games come on when it’s like 2 or 3 in the morning my time.

MZ: Still keep in touch with (Scott) Nagy, TJ (Otzlberger) and Eric Henderson?

MD: I do. Coach Nagy just reached out to me because he’s nearby in Dayton. He follows the TBT so I was able to see him last year. He and his son Tyler came out, and Tyler rebounded for me in a 3-point competition I was in for the TBT. That was fun. I talk to TJ on a probably monthly basis, I reach out to Hendo now and then to say what’s up. It’s awesome to not just stay in touch with them but see the success that they’re all having.

MZ: Yeah, TJ took Iowa State deep this year.

MD: I’m so happy for him. That guy…you know, Iowa State is his dream job. That’s where he wanted to be and he’ll coach there until he’s 80 years old if he can. I’m just so happy for him and his family. He knows that area and he loves that program, and being with him for three years I know how he operates and how he works and I know he’s gonna give it all for that program.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Former South Dakota State Jackrabbit Mike Daum chasing his NBA Dream