This season the Fraport Skyliners have some players that will dazzle the basketball fans on a nightly basis with their wicked athleticism. The duo of Cameron Henry and David Muenkat have shown time in and time out what it looks like to swat the ball away or a Justin Onyejiaka leaping to the rim like a flying hawk and slamming the ball home with extreme authority on many occasions. But it isn´t just these players that can make big plays. This season the Fraport Skyliners have had the pleasure of having Kevin Mcclain who might be best known for his scoring in bunches talent, but the American also demonstrated that he has the ability to pass the ball well. In the big win over the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven, McClain came into the zone and it seemed like he would finish, but in the last second he made a bounce pass that set up Ife Ajayi perfectly for the massive throwdown. In this instance it wasn´t just one amazing play that wooed the fans, but 2 plays with the pass and dunk. ““McClain found me. He is a great player. That was a small snippet of what is still to come from him. Even if he is known as a scorer, he is totally unselfish. He is an underrated passer”, warned Ife Ajayi“ Of course the American also has his praise for Henry, Muenkat and Ajayi. “It’s fun playing defense with Cam and David because we’re able to get out and run and convert on the offensive end. I played against Ife in France and I think he could be the difference in a 5 game series against a physical team like Trier because he’s versatile which can be hard for their bigs to guard the perimeter and inside against him”, stated Kevin McClain (190-G-1996, college: Belmont). A big strength in Mcclain´s game is his scoring, but he can do so many other vital things on the court for his team to be successful. It also has helped him a lot that he did track and field in high school which has helped his game in many ways. His high jumping skills that he perfected in high school has helped him be able to defend bigger players. It is no secret that being versatile and the more he can do will help him be able to help him progress down the road with his career.

Kevin McClain who lists Ja Morant as one of the most talented players in the world and his toughest cover in the NCAA was born on October 21st, 1996 in Jaspar, Florida and hails from a big family as he has 7 siblings. He attended Hamilton County High School and was high jump state champion. He averaged 19.0ppg, 6.0rpg, 3.4apg, 3.3spg; and was the first student-athlete in Hamilton County High School history to receive an NCAA Division I scholarship. He then went to Belmont University (NCAA) from 2015-2019 playing a total of 126 NCAA games. His game really picked up in his last 2 seasons as he averaged 12.8ppg, 3.8rpg, 2.1apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 56.4%, 3PT: 34.8%, FT: 71.6% and in his senior year averaged 16.8ppg, 3.6rpg, 3.9apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 55.3%, 3PT: 36.6%, FT: 70.2%. He was on some talented teams as he reached 2 OVC finals, the 2017 NIT Sweet 16 and capped off his career really the NCAA tournament as a senior. At March Madness, he lost a brutal 79-77 game to Maryland despite scoring 19 points. “Losing the game was very tough, and for a while you’re mad about it but I don’t sulk to much on losses or failures, but it was for sure a fun game and I just remember how many people who were not our actual fan base there to watch us it was crazy”, said Kevin McClain. He shared the court with 2 current PRO A Players Grayson Murphy and Nick Muszynski who were instrumental with him for the team success. “I have great memories sharing the court with them and just locker room talk and funny moments as a team”, said Kevin McClain. He had many great games at Belmont like hitting SE Missouri State for 31 points and Temple for 29 points, but surprisingly there wasn´t just one game that stuck out most for him. “Some people may say or think that those games were my best, but I think every game and every present moment is what I enjoy the most. I could watch a game where I was a kid and be in aww of that moment”, commented Kevin McClain. He played 65 games in his last 2 seasons and scored in double figures in 53 games. He will also be grateful for the guidance by top NCAA coach Rick Byrd. “I think he helped me understand the game and being able to read defenses, I think he could be one of the best coaches in Europe if he wanted to but he’s left his great mark of coaching at Belmont and that seems just right to me”, expressed Kevin McClain.

The scoring guard who lists Dylan Windler, Amanze Egekeze, Justin Sears, Robin Amaize, and Jamar Diggs as his 5 best teammates so far in his basketball career began his professional career getting some NBA experience playing Summer League for the Golden State Warriors. It was an experience he surely won´t forget even if it was brief. “Any talented players I have played against, it was a pleasure but at the end of the day we’re just competing so it’s it too big of a deal for me but as for memories there’s not anything to exciting to share”, remembered Kevin McClain. He began his professional career overseas with the EWE Baskets Oldenburg which was a severe learning experience as his minutes from college were shaved down from 32 to 10 in the Eurocup where he averaged 4,0ppg. Not only was it tough seeing lesser minutes than at Belmont, but living overseas was totally different and like every American, he had a wake up call where he knew he was far away from home. “My wake up call was seeing birthdays, holidays and time go by as you catch up on most things the next day because of the different time zones”, stated Kevin McClain. He was fortunate to have been teammates with Mr Oldenburg and easyCredit BBL legend Rickey Paulding and just like for everyone else that has ever come in contact with him left a lasting impression on him. “He welcomed me like he would everybody else, he’s just that type of person. He’s a really good dude and he’s actually quiet but whenever I did ask or had a question he always had positive advice”, said Kevin McClain. He then played 2 seasons with FOS Provence Basket (France-ProB) averaging 15.5ppg, 2.7rpg, 4.2apg, Steals-4 (1.9spg), FGP: 54.1%, 3PT: 38.9%, FT: 77.9% and in his second season averaged 11.1ppg, 2.5rpg, 3.8apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 53.7%, 3PT: 28.1%, FT: 66.7 %. He played in the second division Pro B in his first year and helped the club move up to the first division called pro A. “That team was very special and we just had the right pieces in each spot and we worked together very well. There were good teams that year in the league and for me it was tough not being able to have a regular lifestyle, having 4 o’clock curfews and also playing with no fans was not so motivating at times but once we got on the court we all had fun playing and competing together”, remembered Kevin McClain. He was also fortunate to be teammates with 2 former BBL players Nik Caner-Medley and former Skyliner Zach Peacock who was with Frankfurt more than a decade ago. “Those are my big brothers and I played with Nik two years so it was good experience to be pushed and be given confidence by a great player like him, not all vet players boost you up like that but the same with Zach. I ended up getting hurt so didn’t get to play a lot of basketball with him but definitely a great vet and just talking about life and overseas life with him was always fun”, stated Kevin McClain.

The athletic guard who lists Allen Iverson, Kyrie Irving, Derrick Rose, and Steph Curry on his personal NBA Mount Rushmore and Lebron James as his GOAT then had a difficult period in his career as he was injured and couldn´t play for 1,5 years. He played his last game in France on January 28, 2022 scoring 10 points against Cholet. It was a tough period, but he finally recovered and signed with the Fraport Skyliners. “I definitely feel very blessed to play again, and I’m so thankful each and every day, and I have to remind myself it’s a process to getting back to where I once was”, said Kevin McClain. He didn´t get totally fit until December and it wasn´t easy finding his place on a deep rotation. “It was more of a challenge to regain myself physically and mentally as a player again, and at times that can be difficult to figure out when coming into a team that’s already rolling well, because you don’t want to mess up the flow of the team but I see it as a challenge and week after week I’ll become more complete and my rhythm will be there before the playoffs”, warned Kevin McClain. His scoring was there from the start as he scored in double figures in 4 of his first 5 games and hit Hagen for 22 points in a loss. He was instrumental in a big come from behind win in Koblenz where he scored in bunches and was like a microwave ala Vinnie Johnson, “I’ve been told that throughout life in basketball but at the core I’ve always been more of a scorer and I just take what the offense gives me”, stated Kevin McClain. Even if he is only in his fourth professional season, he is technically a veteran on a team that has a lot younger guys and has to show leadership. “As a pro I’ve only been able to play 3 years, not even. So for me, I still feel young but from what I have learned from my experiences, I try to help out where I can”, stressed Kevin McClain. After his solid start, he had a down month as in 5 games he scored only 28 points while shooting for 9 for 37. His scoring accuracy has picked up in recent weeks as he has scored in double figures in 4 of his last 5 games. At times the Fraport Skyliners lacks having that cold blooded scorer, but McClain could be that guy who comes through whenever needed in crunch-time. “I think as I continue to find my rhythm, I believe I can be that player in crunch-time while also trusting my teammates. I’ve been figuring it out and I will continue to and at the end of the day I want to win so whatever it takes I will be ready prove myself”, warned Kevin McClain. The team has many athletic players and his will only benefit the team. “My athleticism came more and more as I got older but I wasn’t always the fastest or jumped the highest so I used my quickness a lot but it’s definitely been a benefit for me especially on defense and attacking bigger players”, warned Kevin McClain. His scoring will always aid the Fraport Skyliners, but on a team that has the top defense in the league, his defense will always be welcome. Especially in crunch-time of the season, the ex high school high jumping champion may offer some different kind of wow players other than scoring or passing, but perhaps some athletic defensive stops that will get guys like Muenkat and Henry give their special seal of approval.