Kendal Coleman (207-F/C-2002, college: CBU) is a 23 year old 207cm forward playing his rookie season with ASP Promitheas Patras (Greece-GBL). He began his basketball career with Captain Shreve high school and ten played 2 seasons at Northwestern State University (NCAA) averaging 6.8ppg, 6.5rpg, 1.1bpg, FGP: 47.4%, FT: 69.6% and 15.4ppg, 10.1rpg, 1.0spg, 1.3bpg, FGP: 54.7%, FT: 58.2%. He then played a season at Louisiana State University (NCAA) averaging 2.3ppg, 2.1rpg. He then finished at California Baptist University (NCAA) averaging 6.0ppg, 6.3rpg, FGP: 54.0%, 3PT: 16.7%, FT: 78.0% and 11.2ppg, 8.3rpg, FGP: 57.1%, 3PT: 37.3%, FT: 73.3%. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Basketball Champions League game against the MLP Academics Heidelberg.

Thanks Kendal for talking to germanhoops.com. Your playing your rookie season overseas for ASP Promitheas Patras. How blessed do you feel to be playing overseas?

I feel very blessed that God has allowed me to be able to do play this game that I love professionally, while being able to support myself and family.

You come from Shrevport in Louisiana which is a nice city by the river and now your living in Patras by the water. Is it in a way like a dream come true for you?

I wouldn’t say a dream come true, I worked and prayed for this and still have more work to do.

What has it been like playing for ASP Promitheas Patras? What were the main reasons for joining this organization and what have you enjoyed most about the experience so far?

So far it’s been good. Overseas at this level is a lot different from college but I’ve adjusted pretty quick. The main reason I joined this organization was the confidence I got from the Coach Georgios and how he was going to support me even though I’m a rookie playing in a tough league. What I’ve enjoyed most is being able to see the world from a different view.

Your playing for head coach Georgios Limniatis. What have you enjoyed most about his basketball philosophy?

His toughness that he has when it comes to us and how we are going to play.

There some big time vets on the team like JP Macura, Kendale McCullum and Ron Gray. Has there been a guy that has helped you most with the adjustment to overseas ball?

They all have helped me in different ways, as far as showing me different ways to create easier shots on the floor or when to roll and when to pop depending on how the defense is guarding, and just little things that have helped me adjust better

You will be playing Basketball Champions League and visit countries like Germany, Poland and Lithuania. How confident are you that you can be an impact player there and in Greece?

I’m 100000 percent confident I can be an impact player in champions league, Greek league and just on the team in general. I know I’m a rookie but to me that doesn’t mean anything. I have belief in myself and I know my coaches and teammates do as well.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 208cm forward/center. If you had to compare your game to a NBA player who would best fit the description?

Honestly I’m not really sure but if I had to compare it to an NBA player, I would say Kenneth Faried. Also I would compare my game to William Mosely. He played overseas for about 11 or 12 years.

Is it fair to say that you recently became a modern day big man? In your first season at CBU, you took 6 three´s and last season 75. Was it a combined decision between you and the coaching staff to take more three´s?

Yes my coaches moved me to the 4 which allowed me to shoot more 3s.

You shot a very decent 37% from outside. What was your secret to shooting the ball so well last season?

A lot of reps every single day of the shooting machine. And reps of how I would get 3s off within the offense.

You’re a guy that can score and rebound the ball well. What other strengths does your offensive game have?

Yes I’m a good low and mid post scorer, and I rebound the ball very well. I feel like I’m also a decent spot up and pick and pop 3 point shooter.

Your also a decent defender. Talk a little about your defensive qualities? What kind of a defender are you now as a rookie and what kind of defender do you still want to become?

Defensively, I am a decent defender but I hold my own against anyone 1-5. Not too many people score on me at will. But with more reps I want to become the best defender I can be.

On what areas of your game are you still working on most now so you can continue to improve your game?

Definitely my shooting, even though it has gotten better, there is always room for improvement. I really want to be a threat when it comes to pick and pops and spot up 3s. More reps is all it takes.

You played at Northwestern State University from 2020-2022. You made a big jump in your second season averaging 15.4ppg, 10.1rpg, 1.0spg, 1.3bpg, FGP: 54.7%, FT: 58.2%. How did your game grow in that season under mike McConathy?

Coach Mike McConathy had the most faith in the world in me. He knew I was working hard that summer and knew it was going to be a good season for me. My game grew because I started scoring down low and in the mid post. I’m a double double almost every game no doubt

You had monster games that season against UIW and South East Louisiana. What was your fondest moment on the court in those 2 years?

Maybe the game I had 20 rebounds against Southeastern.

You then transferred to Louisiana State University (NCAA) playing 21 games averaging 2.3ppg, 2.1rpg. How tough was this season coming from a great season of 15/10 and averaging 27 minutes to only 8. Despite that what positives could you take from that experience?

It was very tough mentally, I started to lose confidence in my game. But it was a learning point for me that the grass isn’t always greener. You can’t learn anything watching from the bench. But what I can say is that it made me stronger mentally, if I go through a rough patch in the season, I always go back to that and tell myself that it could always be worse.

Despite only playing 3 minutes in the tough 74-71 loss to NCAA powerhouse Kentucky, how vital was it experiencing games like that and others that season?

It was a very fun environment, I could have been a factor in that game. But overall the crowd was crazy.

You then played at California Baptist University (NCAA) averaging 6.0ppg, 6.3rpg, FGP: 54.0%, 3PT: 16.7%, FT: 78.0% and in your second season averaged 11.2ppg, 8.3rpg, FGP: 57.1%, 3PT: 37.3%, FT: 73.3%. How vital were these 2 years in your basketball development? How did your game grow in your last season?

I was in the gym a lot, that’s how I feel like you get better is by getting in the gym and working. Also Coach Croy and the coaching staff of CBU had faith in me that I was going to be a great player and I appreciate them for that. My game took a big jump, I started shooting 3s and playing off the dribble a lot.

You had 2 amazing games against SMU and GCU scoring 32 and 24 points on combined shooting of 21/27, but unfortunately lost both games by a close margin. What was your fondest moment at CBU in those 2 years?

Both of those games were my fondest moments honestly, 32 was my career high in college and when I had 24 at GCU, even though we lost it felt good to play against them in that environment.

How did Rick Croy groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Definitely with tough coaching, getting me ready that there will be ups and downs, and never forget what got me there. Which is rebounding and being effective in the low and mid post. Now obviously I still can do other things as well but if I’m in a rough patch or things aren’t falling, I stay on the glass at all times.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or AJ Braun?

It was pretty even to be honest

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

This is a good question I’m not really sure on this one.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Jamaure Gregg

Cam Hayes

Dom Daniels

Tylen Riley

Javonte Johnson

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Allen Iverson, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Shaq

Who is your GOAT?

God is my goat

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

Yeah they should have left it alone lol.

Thanks Kendal for the chat.