Editor’s Note: This story was originally published June 20, 2024.
Colorado Buffaloes forward Tristan da Silva is a versatile forward whose shooting and basketball IQ will make him a fascinating player in the pros.
He was one of the breakout stars during March Madness, helping to lead his team to multiple victories in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. Now, he looks to bring many of those skills he displayed during the Big Dance to the pros.
It wasn’t just a brief hot streak during the postseason that help him elevate his draft stock, though. After averaging 16.0 points and 5.1 rebounds with 2.4 assists per game while shooting 39.5 percent on 3-pointers, he was named Second-Team All-Pac-12 last season.
Although he isn’t necessarily going to jump out of the gym or blow anyone away with his speed, da Silva elaborated on the beautiful simplicity to his game during a recent interview with For The Win .
“I’m someone who goes out there and gets the job done,” da Silva said. “I have athleticism and I’m much more athletic than people think I am. But it’s just my smooth play style and my shot selection isn’t to try to dunk on people every single play.”
Da Silva also played soccer, which is how he developed a lot of the footwork that he uses on the basketball court.
He added that growing up in Germany, he was inspired by his brother, former Stanford forward Oscar da Silva. He said his father, a former Brazilian pro boxer, was an inspiration for him as well.
“My brother plays in the EuroLeague for Barcelona. He was the reason why I started playing basketball,” da Silva explained. “My dad being the athlete that he is, he lived the lifestyle that you should be living as an athlete. He’s a big part of my habits.”
This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.
Watch Episode 4 of Prospect Park, a video series featuring future NBA players brought to you by USA TODAY Sports and For The Win:
What should NBA teams know about you?
The consistency aspect is definitely a part of it. I would say definitely my versatility is something that’s kind of unique at my size, being able to play multiple positions and multiple actions from different situations and guarding twos, threes and fours, being able to switch on to guards and stuff like that. The experience that I bring as well. Offensively and defensively, I’ve been playing this game for a long time now.
How do you describe your style of play?
I’m an IQ player. I like to keep it simple as much as possible and get myself going and get other people going through easy baskets, just doing the right thing, making the right plays. Playing multiple positions helps with that because you know the game from different angles. I can create for myself and I can create for others. I’m really just out there playing, making the right reads. I can stretch the floor. My shooting is very appealing to NBA teams. So those are some of the things that are key to my game.
How will your range help you in the NBA?
That’s essential in today’s game, being able to shoot the ball and space the floor. It opens up so much in the game. I’m aware of that. Teams are aware of that. So I feel like that is a huge part of how I can contribute to teams. It’s not the only way, of course, but it definitely helps to get my foot in the door and get out there and contribute. I’ve been working on it. That’s why I brought up the consistency aspect to make sure I’m reliable within the range that we’re working in new with different basketballs and different spacing.
I’d love to hear more about your passing
I’ve been doing it. As soon as I get to the next level where if you get an open shot, it’s a higher chance of going, that’s going to increase my numbers from an assist standpoint. I’m able to find the open guy. I’m able to find the little advantages and keep those advantages and make the high IQ plays. It’s going to make my life a little easier because I’m going to be playing with people who know how to play and kind of think the same way I think. I feel like this next step is going to give me the opportunity to showcase it even more.
What do you like to do off the court? I’ve heard you speak five languages.
I don’t know about the five languages, to be honest. I do speak German. I do speak English. My Portuguese is just what I know from being raised by my dad and spending summers in Brazil. I also learned French and Spanish in school. I wouldn’t necessary say I’m fluent in either of those two. I did play the trumpet for about seven to eight years. I played in two orchestras. I did a musical. I played in school band. It was really fun. I kind of miss it. I’m probably going to pick that up once I get my own little place set up and all this grind is over. I do the regular stuff everybody else does. I keep myself busy. I’m reading some German thrillers right now. I watch shows obviously. I play a little games to keep my mind off whatever. I don’t listen to much classical music. I like playing classical music. Every now and then, when I crave it or when I want to listen to it, I’ll put it on when I’m feeling artsy. But it’s not part of my playlist.
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