KJ Sherrill (203-F/C-1991, college: Augusta) is a 32 year old 203cm forward that enjoyed a 8 year pro playing career overseas. He played with the Bona Baskets Limburg, the SG Luetzel-Post Koblenz (Germany-Regionalliga), Dragons Rhondorf, Telekom Baskets Bonn 2 team, Herten and the Cuxhaven BasCats (Germany-ProA). He played college ball at Charlotte (NCAA) from 2009-2012 playing 75 NCAA games and also played a season at Augusta University (NCAA2). He just completed his first season as an assistant coach with the Dragons Rhondorf helping win the Pro B title. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Congrats KJ on winning the 2024 Pro B title. How were the hours after the title? Did the team celebrate together or did the players go their separate ways?

We all celebrated after the win in the gym taking pics with fans. We celebrated the whole night. We had a team dinner back in Bad Honnef. Today we have a barbeque at 3,30 and then an official meeting at town hall at 6,00pm.

It was the first in your coaching season. I guess a better start into your coaching career couldn´t have happened?

The season couldn´t have gone any better for me as a rookie coach. When I took the job last June, I never thought then that we could have gone so far. But as the team was built and the season went on, we felt like we could go far.

The goal was clear at the start that the Dragons Rhondorf wanted to win the title. The club had ups and downs like any other successful team, but what made this group of individuals so special?

Actually it wasn´t our main topic to have to move up. We felt that it was important to go game by game. We knew that we had a strong team, but also knew that we had to work hard every day. The great thing was that every player was intrigued to get better each day. That showed on the court.

The Dragons Rhondorf allowed a 9-0 run to end game 1 in Rhondorf to win only by 2 points. How much of this was a blessing in disguise for the team mentality going into the final game in Cologne?

Both teams were strong in game 1. We had the lead, but got a bit careless at the end. We threw the ball away too much. We didn´t close out the game. That game was a wake up call for us. We knew how big the last game was and wanted to give all we had. I have to give our fans a lot of credit. The game in Cologne felt like a home game. Half the gym was filled with our fans.

Another blessing in disguise was Antonio Pilipovic who wanted to show his ex team RheinStars that he is an incredible player. Was his focus at another level during the weekend? How sure were you that he could heighten the Friday game on Sunday?

Antonio was definitely on a mission. He took the 2 games against his former team personally and was very sentimental. He was locked in since Friday. He is one of our best shooters and we always encourage him to shoot when he is open. He took the shots with so much confidence. I was really excited for him to have that outbreak against his former team.

Going into the Sunday game, I wasn´t sure the Dragons could eclipse it´s 15 three´s from Friday. It hit I believe a season 20 three´s. What exactly did the team do together on Saturday during shooting practice?

All on team can shoot and we give every player the confidence to shoot. We actually wanted to take it easy Saturday with a little video, but the guys arrived with their sneakers and practice jerseys. They were highly motivated to get up extra shots. They all felt comfortable and that attitude carried over into the game. The guys wanted to win.

The team also played it´s best defense of the season when it counted the most on Sunday in Cologne. Kelvin Omojola told me after the game that the team didn´t really make any adjustments. Did the intensity and passion to defend conquer all?

I feel like we played a good solid defensive game on Friday. We really didn´t make any adjustments going into the Sunday game. We wanted to play with a bit more intensity and just finish the game strong. We wanted to level up defensively and just stick to our priniciples that we had from day 1. I feel like if we would have switched up tactics too much, then it would have been too much for them. We did a good job matching their physicality.

How vital was head coach Stephan Dohrn for the success? Was his motivation and in game coaching that helped you guys the most this season?

He has real structure of detail on defense. He wanted to be polished on the defensive end and we worked every day very hard on it. We worked more on defense than offense, because we know we could score. The guys worked hard all season long in practice and did the best that they could in days. He had a real knack of being able to get the guys going.

The whole Dragons Rhondorf team were part of the success, but talk about the motor of Tyreese Blunt. Where would the club have been without his focus and will to always win and play his best and to be able to hit big shot time in and time out?

Tyreese is a BBL player for sure. He didn´t get the chance with the Telekom Baskets Bonn, but we knew he was a hell of a player. We relied on his great energy and everyone fed off it. He made big shots, steals, and dunks. It was a real pleasure watching him play.

Badu Buck was also a very important player in the season. He may have gotten a little lost in the shadow of Tyreese Blunt. Now looking back what did you appreciate the most about his game?

Badu was the most veteran on the team. He really knows the game and is really patient. He is a real floor general that reads the defense and gets everyone going. He is so team orientated and everyone looks up too him. Sometimes he is too unselfish. He came down from Pro A and never showed any kind of ego thinking he was better than the rest. He was team orientated from day 1. It was a prefect move for him to come here. He fit in well and he was happy to be here and it showed.

Avery Sullivan was a little quiet in the final game in Cologne, but had a great season. How much did he improve? He developed a three pointer and stepped up on defense.

I feel that Avery was one of the best signings of the season. He was so versatile and so strong on defense that he could guard 1-5. He has some quiet nights offensively, but was always a presence on the defensive end.

Janne Muller had an exceptional season. A 17 year old that played many years past his real age. His self-confidence and drive is unnormal for his age. What did you enjoy most about his game?

Janne will definitely become of the best German players at his age. What he can do at his age is amazing. He shocked us how efficient he can be for his age. He is one of the most skilled players on the team. He is like a sponge. You teach him something and he right away absorbs it and uses it in a game. He will be a BBL player. I was so excited to watch how experienced he was for his age.

Another player I like is Marko Rosic, a player that was as efficient as possible whenever he came off the bench. How did you see his game grow as well?

Marko is young, but already very polished. He is one of the best floor generals despite his size. He got our offense going doing a good job with tempo and made the right passes. I think that the older he gest the better he will get. I look forward to continue to watch him grow. It was so important for him to experience winning a title at such a young age.

Who was the most improved player on the Dragons Rhondorf this season?

All have improved, but if I had to pick one then I would say Ferenc Gille. He didn´t get an opportunity in the Pro A. I thought that he could only operate inside, but he developed a nice jumper here something he didn´t have before. We gave him the green light to shoot and he gained a lot of extra confidence doing that.

You were an assistant coach for the first time in your career. How did you experience the season. What did you cherish most about it?

I feel like that it was great for me helping build a team bond and being able to have a voice. I got a lot of responsibility and had talks every day with coach Stephan. I really respect the trust that he gave me. I never would have thought that I could get so much responsibility in my first season. He involved me in all duties. I really cherished that everyone listened to me and respected my voice.

How did you see yourself grow as a coach? Talk about your individual work with players and helping on the bench during games?

I learned along the way this season. I worked with different players and had different drills. On the bench, I took care of the substitutions and coach listened to my suggestions. Once again I really appreciate being able to have so much responsibility. I can imagine that they could of hired many other guys as an assistant coach that had more experience than I.

Did you develop a special bond with a player throughout the season that you will never forget?

I had a strong bond with all guys. We would go to the city and eat ice cream or go to Badu Bucks house and play Super Mario Kart. But I think my strongest bond was with Avery Sullivan who like me is a big man. He lived a few minutes away from me and we spent the most time together. I just tried giving him as much advice as possible.

What is the next step for you? I can imagine that you will remain with the Dragons Rhondorf?

I will stay with the Dragons Rhondorf as long as they want me. I have found a home here and feel safe and secure. I know that this is the right step for me.

It seems like Luka Doncic is for real. Can he win it all for Dallas over Boston?

I think that Dallas has the 2 best guards in the league and with their experience and skill level have a very good chance to go all the way. In my opinion the best players deserve to win the title.

Thanks KJ for the chat