Time for our new series The Momager Is In focusing on interviewing athletes about their experiences and how their Moms shaped their decisions as it relates to sports. This new segment will interview young, college and professional athletes and delve into their Momager relationships. First up is Andreas Schreiber. I met Andreas via the wonderful world of social media on Instagram. I think you'll find his story inspiring as well as his future!
How old were you when you started playing basketball?
I'm not sure but I think I was 10 or 11.
Did you participate in other sports?
I did karate for two years, since my father, my aunt and my uncle are all black belts, and I think that is what helped me gain control of my limbs at such a young age, even though I was so tall.
When did you realize you loved basketball and wanted to pursue it?
I became serious about basketball at the age of 15. I switched to a Swedish basketball school called Fryshuset (The Freeze House) after we had won several youth national championships. After a year there, I decided that I wanted to pursue college, and so I moved to Los Angeles at the age of 16 to attend a prestigious academic highschool in Westwood called Brentwood School. We decided that this was the best way to get my SATs done in time for college.
As a young player did your mom attend many of your games? Was she involved in making decisions
Actually, mom (Birgit Schreiber) was behind the scenes a lot while dad was always involved and that was really nice for me. If I became tired of basketball, she was the one I turned to. She made sure I was always happy, fed, and most importantly healthy, and she was my escape away from basketball. She wanted me to truly be satisfied with life, basketball or no basketball. A true mother.
How did your mom feel about you moving from Sweden all the way to America at a young age, all alone?
Mom knew that I was dreaming about America, because I was actually born there. I moved to Sweden when I was only two though. However, I was determined and she was supportive. But of course she was worried, as all mothers would be, since I was her first child, and I was moving to a different country without her to be there to support and protect me. This was before instant communication technology was available!
What ways did your mom support you while growing up as an athlete? How does she continued to support you?
Mom or "mamma" always kept every situation positive. I could have had a horrible game, but she would always find a way to either spin the situation or find a way to make me forget about it. That is one of the things I've obtained from her. In basketball, there are a lot of negative things that can happen: injuries, being fired, being cut, having a bad game, losing, hating your teammates or coach etc. Mom has taught me to see every situation in a positive light. Things have always happened for a reason in my life. I am where I am because of each tiny event that has happened, both positive and negative. She made me realize that.
Mom would also make sure I was fed when I came home from practice. The truth is that I was very independent at a young age. But she was there whenever I needed something.
How is your career going? What team are you playing for?
I am a starter for the Worcester Wolves in England, and we are currently having the best season in the history of the club. I have however obtained a sickness related injury, but I am currently recovering at home in Sweden and will be back in England in two weeks. However, I am very proud of what we as a team have accomplished this year.
Mom always wanted me to be a marine biologist because that is what she was, and she currently works as a toxicologist for the Swedish Chemical Agency. And it was what I wanted to be when I was younger. I studied environmental science in college and did very well in it. I wrote my thesis on Colony Collapse Disorder in Honeybees, something my mother was also working with for her work. I am still very interested in environmental technology as well is biotechnology. She is very proud of that "environmental" part of me.
I am currently bootstrapping an entrepreneurial career on top of my basketball career. The reason for this is that I have a lot of free time when I am not actually working out. I am starting two companies this summer: "The ProLete Formula" and "Evoke Socks". They are both built on a foundation of what I call "inspired design" i.e. every sale is a step to help inspire the world to do better.
The Prolete Formula is a workout and nutrition program that I have designed and researched for several years in an attempt to separate myself from others, and it has worked for me so far as I am currently living the professional basketball dream. I want to share this information with others, as well as advice them on the steps I have taken to be where I am at this point in my life, all related to basketball of course. I am currently hoping to connect with a "child hunger prevention in America"-program, and work on having some of the proceedings from the ProLete Formula go towards helping 15.9 million children in America to have food-security in their home. So crazy and unacceptable! That is twice the population of Sweden.
Evoke Socks is a cashmere business sock company that I have built on a foundation of evoking designs that represent inspiration and charity. We are currently getting involved with cancer charities around the world, and rainforest restoration programs, as well as other charities that we find fit. We believe that every sock will help aid our goal to create a positive inspiration for business men to come.
My mother has always believed in charities (mostly environmental ones). I do too. I truly believe that there is a way for everyone to live well and free.
What's next for you?
Next up is spending some time in Memphis, TN during the off season workouts and to hang out with friends. Hopefully, I will also link up with the Swedish National Team later this summer. Obviously, I will be chasing a new basketball contract as well. It is always exciting to see where I may end up. You never know.
Lastly, if you could get your mom the ultimate mother's day present what would it be?
I would give her an all inclusive trip to Hawaii. It would be heaven for her. She has never been (I have been twice), but she always talks about it. Mom is an artist as well, and paints gorgeous scenery paintings. I think she would love to get the opportunity to paint in Hawaii, as well as go on some whale watching expeditions.
See Momagers your inspiration is creating not only a generation of talented, athletic young people but those that want to do even greater things in the world. A huge thank you to Andreas for sharing a piece of his life with us and an even bigger thank you to Mama Schreiber for raising a well rounded young man with so much to compassion for others. Go Wolves! Also to follow how Andreas is doing with is business ventures and career go to Instagram and click that FOLLOW button, IG Tag andreas_schreiber also on Twitter at @dreschreiber.
Next up a sit down conversation with young basketball phenom Kadar Waller.
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