Two years ago, Weber State University’s Lindsey Hughey played his last game at the Dee Events Center. While the careers of many student-athletes end after graduation, Hughey is still playing.
Hughey will be playing for BG Leitershofen/Stadbergen in the German Pro B. He said getting the opportunity to play professionally is a dream come true for him.
“Since I left Weber State, I’ve been working out, trying to play overseas,” Hughey said. “I ended up playing in the ABA last year. This season, my agent got me a contract to play in Germany, and I immediately signed it.”
Hughey, originally from Prairie View, Texas, came to WSU in 2009 as a transfer student after playing two years at Seminole Community College in Oklahoma. He played in all 31 games his first year at WSU, and scored in double figures 14 times for the Wildcats.
The next season, Hughey was asked to shift positions when Damian Lillard broke his foot. Hughey moved from his role as shooting guard to play point guard, something Assistant Coach Eric Duft said really shows the type of person Hughey is.
“We always remember him unselfishly switching to the point guard position when Damian Lillard got hurt and sacrificing his own game for the good of the team,” Duft said.
Duft said Hughey wasn’t just a great player, but a good person who looked to help his teammates improve and succeed.
“Lindsey Hughey was a very good player, but even a better teammate,” Duft said. “He epitomized unselfish devotion to the team concept and allowed our team to play to our full potential.”
In Germany, there are multiple levels of professional basketball leagues. The Pro B is the third tier, behind the Basketball Bundesliga and the Pro A. At the end of the season, the top two teams from the Pro B move up to the Pro A, while the bottom two teams from the Pro A are relegated to the Pro B.
Last year, the team Hughey will be playing for was relegated to the Pro B, but Hughey said the team is used to winning.
“They’re a team that played in the Pro A,” Hughey said, “but had a losing season and were sent back to the Pro B. But they’re a winning team. They’ve won three championships. They are accustomed to winning.”
Hughey said he thinks he will fit in well with Leitershofen/Stadtbergen, and that he can see similarities between it and the team he played with at WSU.
“They’re a high-intensity team,” Hughey said. “They kind of remind me of Weber.”
One thing Hughey said motivates him is seeing the success Lillard has had in the NBA summer league. Hughey said he hopes to eventually get the chance to play in the NBA along with Lillard.
“I would like to play in the NBA,” Hughey said. “I see my boy Damian out there killing people in the NBA, and it motivates me to be the best that I can be. I mean, we came from the same place. We shared the same blood, sweat and tears on the same court.”
Hughey said the time he spent with Lillard helped him grow as a player and has driven him to work harder on the court.
“It’s crazy, man,” Hughey said. “He taught me a lot when I was at Weber; he was my best friend. I’m glad to see him doing really good. Like I said, it motivates me.”
Phillip Beckner, another assistant coach on WSU’s basketball team said he is confident Hughey will be successful in Germany, he said Hughey is a talented player, and a hard working teammate.
“Lindsey was one of the toughest and most unselfish players we have had in our program,” Beckner said. “He was always willing to sacrifice for whatever was best for the team. He will be very successful in Germany because he is an extremely hard worker, unbelievable teammate, and a great person.”
Hughey will play his first game on Oct. 3.