KeyShawn Feazell (206-F-1998, college: Creighton) is a 25 year old 206cm forward that was born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi that will play his third pro season and first in Germany for easyCredit BBl team Brose Bamberg. Last season he played for CSO Voluntari (Romania-Liga Nationala) averaging 11.1ppg, 6.0rpg, 1.0apg, Blocks-5 (1.0bpg), FGP: 67.4%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 76.2%. He played his rookie season with the Salon Vilpas Vikings (Finland-Korisliiga) averaging 14.9ppg, 7.3rpg, 1.6apg, Blocks-5 (1.2bpg), FGP: 59.6%, 3PT: 24.0%, FT: 72.9%. He began his basketball career at Lawrence County high school and then enjoyed a 5 year NCAA career at 3 schools playing a total of 127 games. He played his first 3 NCAA seasons at Mississippi where he never averaged more than 1,5ppg. He then moved to McNeese State University (NCAA) averaging 13.1ppg, 9.9rpg, 2.2apg, 1.2bpg, FGP: 58.0%, 3PT: 12.5%, FT: 76.4%. He played his last season at Creighton University (NCAA) averaging 3.1ppg, 2.3rpg. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Keyshawn for talking to germanhoops.com. Where are you at the moment and how is basketball life treating you?

Hey, I’m currently in the States and it’s going well. I can’t complain.

How blessed do you feel being able to play in Germany in your third pro season in the top league easyCredit BBL after paying your dues in Finland and Romania?

I’m grateful to be in this position, I’ve worked hard to get here and I feel really blessed to be able to play in the BBL.

What do you know in general about the country Germany and it´s basketball? Have you had friends or ex teammates or opponents play there?

Well I’m a car guy and I know about the autobahn. I know that it’s a really competitive league and full of talent. Galin Smith and Prince Oduro are my guys, both former teammates!

Obviously moving to a league like the easyCredit BBL is a no brainer, but what made the organization Brose Bamberg so appealing to you?

The history behind the organization is really impressive! After speaking with coach and hearing what his views were as far as the future, it was almost a no brainer in itself.

How did the talks go with Anton Gavel? He is an up and coming coach who like you paid his dues as a coach and has moved his way up the ranks. What did you appreciate about his basketball philosophy and character the most?

I most definitely enjoyed our talks, he seems very knowledgeable and passionate about the future of the organization. I also like the style that of basketball that he introduced to me over our talks.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 206cm forward. If you had to compare your game to a NBA player who would best fit the description?

If I had to compare myself to one particular NBA player, it would be like a John Collins or PJ Washington.

You’re a player that can score rebound and block shots. Would you call yourself a 2-way player?

I most definitely feel as if I’m a 2-way player. I really enjoy playing defense, especially the challenge of guarding smaller/quicker guards. Some of my favorite moments on the court.

What other strengths does your game incorporate on the offensive end? It seems like your also a big that can get others involved.

I feel as if I have an underrated IQ. I was able to display my passing abilities in Finland a bit but I definitely take pride in being able to show it when I can. I really enjoy making the right plays when having the ball.

You have proven that you’re a very good shot blocker. Would you call your shot blocking a mix out of skills and passion for making the big defensive play?

Yes for sure, like I mentioned earlier I really enjoy playing defense and making plays on that end of the floor.

On what areas of your game are you working on most at the moment so you can continue to climb the basketball ladder?

As of now I’m improving my strength to help deal with bigger opponents. As far as skills, I’m working on continuing my shooting ability. I’ve grown every year and know there is still room for improvement. Also, ball handling and foot work. I like using my quickness against bigger opponents.

Last season you played with CSO Voluntari (Romania-Liga Nationala) averaging 11.1ppg, 6.0rpg, 1.0apg, Blocks-5 (1.0bpg), FGP: 67.4%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 76.2%. Would you agree this league was another step above the Korisliga? How did your game grow further?

Yes for sure, playing in Romania was definitely a step forward from Finland. It was challenging at first getting used to the different rules that they have but once I figured out my role on the team it helped me focus on that. It grew my game as far as knowing how to be productive without having the ball as much.

You played your rookie season with the Salon Vilpas Vikings (Finland-Korisliiga) averaging 14.9ppg, 7.3rpg, 1.6apg, Blocks-5 (1.2bpg), FGP: 59.6%, 3PT: 24.0%, FT: 72.9%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?

I’ve always been away from my hometown and used to being on my own so being in a different country was kind of a breeze.

You were teammates with sniper Mikko Koivisto. What memories will you always have from him? Did you see him shoot out the lights in practice and games?

He’s definitely one of the best shooters I have ever seen in my life. At practice when we shot he was so consistent that I would watch and try studying him ha.

You had a real roller coaster ride in the NCAA playing for 3 schools. How important was this experience for you having played for 3 schools instead of 1? Would you have become the player you are today having only played at 1 school?

It was a journey for sure, I’m a true believer of every thing happens for a reason so it was just a part of my story. I 100% wouldn’t be who I am as a man and player without each experience.

You played 3 years at Mississippi State never averaging more than 10 minutes and 1,0ppg in a season. How tough was this time? What did you learn from the experience and what positives did you gain?

It was really tough, more than anyone can imagine. I got a lot out of it though, learned more about myself as a man at the end of my time there.

What memories do you have of Reggie Perry? As a freshman he averaged double double stats. What memories do you have from practices where you matched up against him?

Reggie was really talented, was good to go up against him on a daily basis. Some good battles there.

You reached the NIT Final 4 in 2018. What memories do you have of that run? You played 24 minutes in the 4 games.

I honestly don’t remember a ton, was a blur really. I do remember playing against Penn State and Tony Carr. They destroyed us.

You then transferred to McNeese State University (NCAA) averaging 13.1ppg, 9.9rpg, 2.2apg, 1.2bpg, FGP: 58.0%, 3PT: 12.5%, FT: 76.4%. How vital was this season for your basketball growth? It seemed like Heath Schroyer hat total trust in you.

This season was really important for me more mentally than anything else. Basketball followed but behind the guidance of assistant coach Jalen Courtney Williams and him helping me get back to the point of believing in myself. Coach Schroyer is my guy and I really appreciate him for allowing me to play what felt like my first real season since high school.

After a big season at McNeese, you left one more time for Creighton University (NCAA) avergaing 3.1ppg, 2.3rpg. Why did you do this?

I did this because I wanted to challenge myself again against better competition and play for a coach who was really experienced/proven to be a great coach.

What positives could you get from this experience where your minutes were shaved down from 29 to 9?

I learned that it was important to try to maximize every opportunity I got. This helped me going forward with applying that philosophy to life itself. You never know when it will be your moment so you have to treat every situation as if it is your last.

How did head coach Greg McDermott groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

He helped me understand so much, he’s one of the best offensive minded coaches there is. I learned a lot about pace, reads, shot selection and a term that was used there called (unlocking the floor). Which is essentially just spacing the floor in really efficient ways.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Carlos Rosario?

Carlos is a competitor but I used to win a lot of those battles.

Who was the toughest player that you ever faced in the NCAA that reached the NBA?

Probably SGA or Herb Jones

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

I didn’t really dislike any teammates really, so it’s hard to just name 5 without leaving off others who were also great.

What is your NBA Mount Rushmore?

Kobe, Shaq, KD, LeBron, and MJ

Who is your Goat?

MJ

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America movie? Shouldn´t they have left it alone?

I haven’t seen that but they most definitely should leave a classic like that alone.

Thanks Keyshawn for the chat.