Kasey Draper is a 24 year old 193cm guard from Roanoke, Virginia playing his rookie season overseas with the EPG Guardians Koblenz. He began his basketball career at Northside High School. He then played 4 seasons at Roanoke College (NCAA3) playing 94 games. He had great seasons averaging : 19.1ppg, 7.6rpg, 1.1apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 38.2%, FT: 69.1%, 20.5ppg, 6.8rpg, 1.3apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 47.9%, 3PT: 42.0%, FT: 70.3% and 17.3ppg, 6.6rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 43.3%, 3PT: 39.4%, FT: 70.3%. He added on a season with Assumption College (NCAA2) averaging 18.6ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.4apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 47.8%, 3PT: 40.2%, FT: 76.9%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Kasey for talking to germanhoops.com. Congrats on signing with the EPG Guardians. What do you know in general about the country Germany and it´s basketball? Have you known any guys that have played in Germany?

I didn’t know much about Germany or Europe before I signed to come play here. However, I have quickly learned new cultural norms and met tons of friendly people. I feel like I have already started to find a groove living here only after one month. The people around me have made it a quick and easy transition. When it comes to knowing German basketball and other players in the league, I know very little. In general, I don’t know many people who have played professionally, so everything is new to me, but I am excited to get started and make new connections in the professional basketball landscape.

You signed very late and got signed late by Koblenz. How was that first pro transfer period for you? Did you have some more offers?

The first pro transfer period was a little stressful for me because everything was so new, and the unknown made me a little anxious. However, my agent, Stefan Heinrich, did a great job talking to teams and walking me through the whole process. I had other offers during the transfer period such as playing in Portugal, Sweden, Ireland, etc., but I am happy to have chosen Koblenz and am looking forward to the season.

Head coach Marco Van Den berg and Thomas Klein are really high on your abilities. What were the main reasons for signing with the EPG Guardians Koblenz?

The main reason for signing with the Guardians is the competition level of the ProA league. I am excited to play high level basketball against high level competition. I also believe that I fit in well with what the Guardians are trying to build in Koblenz. I love the physical mentality that the team emphasizes, and I think my shooting fits in well with the motion offense.

Marco van Den Berg is the first pro coach that your playing for. What have you learned to appreciate most about his basketball philosophy?

The thing I have learned to appreciate the most from Coach van Den Berg is his demanding style. He demands greatness from every player on the team, and I feel that I respond to that well. I am my toughest critic, so striving for perfection, no matter how difficult it may be, is something I strive for.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 193cm player. If you had to compare your game to a NBA player who would best fit the description?

I feel that Grayson Allen is a fair comparison for me because he is a solid role player who is efficient with his shooting percentages. He relies on his shooting to open up the floor for him where he can then put the ball on the floor and score from the mid-range or at the rim.

You play the 3 and 4 positions. Are you a biz undersized for the position? But you make up for it with physicality.

Yes, I am a little undersized for my position, but I have been told that my whole life. I feel that my physicality and high IQ make up for a lot on the court. The other thing that helps me is how hard I play when I am out there. I try to leave everything on the court and let the chips fall where they may.

You’re a lethal scorer, great rebounder and can shoot the ball at a high clip. What do you believe is your biggest strength on the court?

I feel that my biggest strength on the court is my versatility. I can score from all three levels and take advantage of mismatches when they present themselves. Over the last year, I have switched my mentality from getting to the basket first and then shooting second to establishing the three and then playing from there. I think this will translate more at the pro level.

Twice you reached the 40% plateau in school. Where do you see yourself at the moment as a shooter and what do you need to do to become an elite shooter?

I am very comfortable with my shot at the moment. I started my career in high school as a non-shooter, so to be where I am today with my shooting ability is something I am proud of. I became a good shooter because of thousands of reps in the gym, so I don’t intend to try something different now. The areas where I can improve with my shot are consistency and my mental toughness as a shooter by focusing on the next shot and not letting the last shot influence the present.

What kind of defender are you at the moment and what kind of a defender do you still want to become?

I am a physical defender, especially in the post. I am not the quickest, so I must anticipate well and rely on my instincts frequently. I have lots of room to improve guarding the perimeter, but I am up to the challenge and am looking to take a jump in this area this season.

On what areas of your game are you working on most, so you can continue to grow as a player?

Again, guarding the perimeter is an area where I need to improve. In addition, working on my ball handling skills and facilitating for teammates is also an area of improvement. Other than that, I am focusing on playing my role and continuing to fine tune areas where I can help the team most such as knocking down open shots.

You played at Roanoke College (NCAA3) from 2019-2023 and made big strides in your second and third seasons averaging 19.1ppg, 7.6rpg, 1.1apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 38.2%, FT: 69.1% and 20.5ppg, 6.8rpg, 1.3apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 47.9%, 3PT: 42.0%, FT: 70.3%. How did your game grow in that time?

The main thing that helped me grow during this time was my confidence and self-belief. My coach instilled confidence in my game which allowed me to play free and know that the work I put in during the offseason was going to show during games. My teammates also believed in me and helped me along the way.

You reached the ODAC semi-finals in all 4 years. How tough was not getting g over the hump? What was your fondest moment there?

Not getting over the hump during my career at Roanoke is the hardest thing I’ve had to deal with during my career thus far. We lost to the same Randolph-Macon team every year in the same round. They were a very good team, and we were just never able to get the best of them. However, those loses always ignited the offseason and made me a better player. My fondest memory at Roanoke College was hitting a game winner my sophomore year during the Covid season with no one in the stands. This is because the game was senior night for our lone senior, Max, from Sydney, Australia. The two years I knew Max he always talked about his family making the journey to the states for his senor night. However, Covid put a halt to that. Max was one of the best people I knew, so hitting the game winner on his day and embracing him after the game was a special moment.

How vital was head coach Clay Nunley in your early basketball development? He seemed like to have given you the green light early on.

Coach Nunley was a huge piece in my development both as a player and a person. On the court, he instilled confidence in me as a sophomore in college by making me the captain and giving me the reigns of the team. Off the court, he taught me how to deal with adversity and be a strong man while still showing compassion to everyone I interact with.

You then added a fifth year at Assumption College (NCAA2) averaging 18.6ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.4apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 47.8%, 3PT: 40.2%, FT: 76.9%. You needed no adjustment time between division3 and 2. How did your game grow under Scott Faucher?

My game grew the biggest under Coach Faucher with my mentality. Coach Faucher gave me the ultimate green light and encouraged me to keep shooting the ball even if it wasn’t falling at the time. He taught me to establish my three-point shot first and then play off that. This mentality has allowed me to shoot with more confidence and open easier driving lanes.

You recorded an amazing 46 points against Saint Michaels on 17/27 shooting. What will you always remember most about this game and how quickly did you know that you would have a great night?

The thing I will remember most about this game is getting the win and celebrating with my teammates in the locker room. Saint Michaels was the top team in the conference, so beating them at home was special. I was just doing what I could to help the team win. The ball just happened to go in at a high clip that night. I hit a couple mid-range jump shots early and built momentum off that.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Kani Glover?

Kani and I never played each other 1 on 1, but he is a very good player, so it would be evenly matched.

Who was the greatest player that you ever faced in your life that reached the NBA?

There are many players during my career that I have played who have reached the NBA such as Zion Williamson, Keldon Johnson, and Jacob Gilyard. However, the player that had the best game against my team and that I was most impressed with was Coby White. He scored 44 points against my high school team and made everything look easy.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

These five players truly embody the word teammate. They are both great players and good for the locker room. They are Julien Wooden, Jack Brestel, Colin Burns, Ethan Rohan, and Corey Brooks.

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Michael Jordan, Lebron James, Steph Curry, and Larry Bird because of the way they all changed the game.

Who is your GOAT

The greatest player of all time is Michael Jordan, but my favorite player ever is Dwyane Wade.

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

I have never seen this movie.

Thanks Kasey for the chat