University of Richmond Athletics
4-Year Spider: Q&A with Men's Basketball Captain Mike Walz
11/04/2025 | Men's Basketball
As he prepares to begin his fourth season as a member of the Richmond Spiders men's basketball program, team captain and preseason all-conference selection Mike Walz answered questions about his role on the team, playing center for the Spiders, and what it feels like to throw a perfect back-door pass.Â
On being the longest-tenured member of the team and how that has changed his role:Â "It's a unique position for me to be in, giving pre-game talks. That's not my natural demeanor to get fired up and provide that type of energy. But it was fun. It's a unique role to step into. It's interesting being the guy that everybody looks to in the huddle. That's an interesting position to be in considering in previous years I've always had that veteran, loud, vocal leader. I feel like I've really embraced it. Once the intensity gets dialed up a little bit more, it will be interesting to see who also can break through and become that second, auxiliary leader when we need one."
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On how the chance to be the leader of the team impacted his decision to return to Richmond:Â "That was something I really didn't think about consciously when I was making a decision, but it was always in the back of my head that I wanted to cement my legacy as a four-year Spider. Having the opportunity from Coach Mooney to be that guy and be that leader and for him to trust me with a program that is so storied, it's a unique role that I have to be that kind of focal point and centerpiece of a place that requires those four-year players."
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On how important it was for him to have an alma mater that he has a close connection with:Â "I had a long-term vision in my head when I was being recruited by schools and I think a lot of that was provided by my parents. They're very supportive members of Santa Clara [University]. Just having that vision of bringing your family around and Richmond is so beautiful. It's such an inviting place to be. I love being a Richmond Spider through and through. Like I've said before, this place took a chance on me, and I've seen so much growth since I was 18 years old and stepped on campus here. It's just been nothing but great to me, and I'm excited, 30-40 years down the line, to still be a Spider."
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On whether he ever envies centers who play in offenses where there is a smaller, more traditional role for post players:Â "I just think that would be a very boring way to play the game, just setting screens and sitting in the dunker's spot. That just seems boring. Why would you go to a two-hour practice just to do that? I also love [our offense] because I'm a thinker. I like to strategize and do stuff that requires more than just those basic movements. I feel like it's a gameplan, it's a tactical strategy to go out and play the center position for Richmond. And if you're comfortable with the pressure that's on you, just because everything goes through the center role, you can be very successful."
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On reserving his biggest on-court celebrations for plays when he throws a pass for an assist:Â "Scoring in the post is just an isolation play. That's a play that I trust myself with, but it's not really getting the team involved at all. When you throw a back-door pass in this offense, that's as good as any play you can get. It gets the whole team involved. It forces the other team to kind of change up their defensive schemes. Just to get the entire team going, especially the guys who thrive on those at-the-rim shots, it's a confidence builder."
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On Richmond playing its first five games at home this season:Â "We need to go 5-0. It's not often you get that many games to prove yourself at home in front of a friendly crowd. It's really a chance to get out early and create some momentum in a really powerful, really loaded A-10. Just seeing how many fans were there [in the exhibition game vs JMU], it was encouraging. Before you even enter the month of November, you have thousands of people ready to come and spend their hard-earned money and watch what we've worked so hard to put together."
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On being the longest-tenured member of the team and how that has changed his role:Â "It's a unique position for me to be in, giving pre-game talks. That's not my natural demeanor to get fired up and provide that type of energy. But it was fun. It's a unique role to step into. It's interesting being the guy that everybody looks to in the huddle. That's an interesting position to be in considering in previous years I've always had that veteran, loud, vocal leader. I feel like I've really embraced it. Once the intensity gets dialed up a little bit more, it will be interesting to see who also can break through and become that second, auxiliary leader when we need one."
Â
On how the chance to be the leader of the team impacted his decision to return to Richmond:Â "That was something I really didn't think about consciously when I was making a decision, but it was always in the back of my head that I wanted to cement my legacy as a four-year Spider. Having the opportunity from Coach Mooney to be that guy and be that leader and for him to trust me with a program that is so storied, it's a unique role that I have to be that kind of focal point and centerpiece of a place that requires those four-year players."
Â
On how important it was for him to have an alma mater that he has a close connection with:Â "I had a long-term vision in my head when I was being recruited by schools and I think a lot of that was provided by my parents. They're very supportive members of Santa Clara [University]. Just having that vision of bringing your family around and Richmond is so beautiful. It's such an inviting place to be. I love being a Richmond Spider through and through. Like I've said before, this place took a chance on me, and I've seen so much growth since I was 18 years old and stepped on campus here. It's just been nothing but great to me, and I'm excited, 30-40 years down the line, to still be a Spider."
Â
On whether he ever envies centers who play in offenses where there is a smaller, more traditional role for post players:Â "I just think that would be a very boring way to play the game, just setting screens and sitting in the dunker's spot. That just seems boring. Why would you go to a two-hour practice just to do that? I also love [our offense] because I'm a thinker. I like to strategize and do stuff that requires more than just those basic movements. I feel like it's a gameplan, it's a tactical strategy to go out and play the center position for Richmond. And if you're comfortable with the pressure that's on you, just because everything goes through the center role, you can be very successful."
Â
On reserving his biggest on-court celebrations for plays when he throws a pass for an assist:Â "Scoring in the post is just an isolation play. That's a play that I trust myself with, but it's not really getting the team involved at all. When you throw a back-door pass in this offense, that's as good as any play you can get. It gets the whole team involved. It forces the other team to kind of change up their defensive schemes. Just to get the entire team going, especially the guys who thrive on those at-the-rim shots, it's a confidence builder."
Â
On Richmond playing its first five games at home this season:Â "We need to go 5-0. It's not often you get that many games to prove yourself at home in front of a friendly crowd. It's really a chance to get out early and create some momentum in a really powerful, really loaded A-10. Just seeing how many fans were there [in the exhibition game vs JMU], it was encouraging. Before you even enter the month of November, you have thousands of people ready to come and spend their hard-earned money and watch what we've worked so hard to put together."
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Mens Basketball Press Conference
Tuesday, November 04
Men's Basketball Postgame - JMU
Saturday, October 25
Men's Basketball: Staying Home
Tuesday, October 21
Mooney, Walz Before 1st Practice
Friday, September 26