Every once in a while, I have a massive Deja-vu when preparing an interview for a basketball player. It doesn´t happen often though. When I saw that American Felix Kloman (196-G, college: Babson) had scored an amazing 50 points in a professional game in Luxemburg, I knew I had to interview him. Besides it doesn´t happen that often that a pro player overseas scores 50 points. I checked his profile at eurobasket.com and then I read the name Babson (NCAA3) where he played his last season before coming overseas. He had previously spent 3 years at the Ivy league school Brown (NCAA), but it was the school where he was properly reborn as a player. There is nothing nicer for me than to relive childhood memories even if they are only in my thoughts. I drove by Babson every day as a kid going to school and later as a young adult did my training runs around the Babson area. Not too mention not long ago, Daniel Theis when he was playing with the Boston Celtics lived down the road from Babson in Needham and one could see NBA hall of fame player Tiny Archibald´s house from near the schools post office when looking across the Wellesley country club´s 10th and 11th holes. I also remember watching the Team USA soccer national team practice there in 1996 and getting the great Cobi Jones´s autograph. Plus as a kid as a fifth grader skating at the Babson ice rink as well as swimming in their pool. Another interesting side note is that Crew Ainge, the youngest son of Celtic legend Danny Ainge who was a Wellesley resident then went there from 2019-2021. Besides all the memories, the surrounding area is simply beautiful and it is no surprise that students loved going there including professional basketball player Felix Kloman. “Wellesley was a very nice town and it was cool because some of the Celtics players/ coaches live in the area so it was cool to be able to go and get coffee and run into Brad Steven’s or something like that”, stressed Felix Kloman

Felix Kloman who lists current NBA player Isaiah Collier as his toughest opponent was born in Ipswich, Mass and grew up in South Hamilton which is right next to Salem Mass made famous for the Witch trials in 1692-1693. He began his basketball career at the Pingree school and then played at Ivy League school Brown University (NCAA) from 2020-2024, but the first year was cancelled because of Covid. He played a total of 50 NCAA games. His minutes rose from 4 to 7 to 18 in his 3 years. In his last season he averaged 5.0ppg, 1.7rpg, 1.3apg and shot a respectable 32% from outside. His playing time increased each season, but times weren´t always easy, but he felt more than blessed getting this great opportunity playing for head coach Mike Martin. “My basketball experience at Brown taught me so much about resilience and controlling the controllables when it comes to basketball. I learned how to show up, even when things aren’t going your way, and put the work in anyways with the faith it will all pay off. I want to shout out to all my teammates for making the Brown experience so special”, said Felix Kloman. He had some very good games at Brown like scoring 11 points in a very narrow win over Harvard, but his fondest moment was a totally different one. “ Honestly I just enjoyed the times in the locker room or dining hall hanging out with the team. We had a special group of guys and I’m super grateful for that”, remembered Felix Kloman. He helped Brown reach the Ivy League final in 2024. He then moved a step back and played a season at Babson College (NCAA3) averaging 17.7ppg, 3.8rpg, 2.5apg, 1.4spg, 1.1bpg, FGP: 45.6%, 3PT: 40.1%, FT: 83.1%. Despite playing division 3, he is very thankful for getting the opportunity to showcase his game. “ I got to play a different role on the court and off it as an older guy and leader. I again was blessed with the opportunity to play with a great group of guys that I had great times with. I think at Babson I became a more confident player for sure”, warned Felix Kloman. He had superb games at Babson against schools like Wooster, WPI, Trinity and MIT. “Beating Trinity at home in double OT was a great game. I don´t know if I’ve ever been that tired after a basketball game”, smiled Felix Kloman. His game was able to grow at Babson and that was mainly due because of head coach Stephan Brennan helped guide him in the right direction with his game. “Coach Brennan is a great coach and an even better guy. He cares for you off the court and really wants what is best for you. I learned a lot from him in terms of how to carry myself, how to be a better leader, and most importantly how to be a better man”, added Felix Kloman who won´t forget the 1-1 duels in practice with Alex Stoddard “I think I won 11-0 every time. I’m joking but Alex is killing it off the basketball court though as a producer/director and I have no doubt I’ll be seeing him as the face of Hollywood very soon. Stay tuned”, said Felix Kloman.

The American who lists Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, and Carmelo Anthony on his personal NBA Mount Rushmore is playing his rookie season overseas with AS Soleuvre Belvaux (Luxembourg-Nationale 2). “This experience has been great. My teammates and my coaches have been great and I feel lucky to be in such a great spot with even better people. My favorite part so far outside of the hoops has just been walking around towns or Luxembourg City and seeing/trying new things. You can follow my journey on instagram @felixlikestohoop”, stated Felix Kloman. He also knows that not many former division 3 guys get the opportunity to play overseas and he takes nothing for granted. “I love playing basketball, and the fact I get to wake up and have basketball be my job is truly a blessing. There is not a day that I do not appreciate that fact. I would love to play pro hoops until the wheels fall off and save the rat race and work for later in life”, said Felix Kloman. The team is starved to win a title as it last won in the 80´s and were a finalist in 2022. The club is currently 4-0 and want to keep the winning streak alive. The club ambitions must be sky high. “A great American hero by the name of Ricky Bobby once said: “If you’re not first, you’re last.” And this is a mindset I take into this season and I believe our club has taken too. We have set our aim high, and while we know it is going to be difficult to get there, we are all ready and willing to sacrifice and do what it takes to win”, warned Felix Kloman. He is one of the main scoring conditions on the team along with fellow American Christian Parker. Together both rookies average 56 of the team 85 points. Parker is a walking bucket averaging 23/15 and have something very special in common that they are in the same boat grinding to move up the basketball ladder. “Christian is my guy and it has been great sharing the apartment and court with him! As a big man and guard combo I think we compliment each other on the court very well and both are coming from D3 schools so we have that chip on our shoulder”, warned Felix Kloman. He may not be in Slovakia or Romania where that wake up call to being a rookie would surely be different than in Luxemburg. “Everyone here stops to let you cross the road at crosswalks in the US they never do that, they just drive right through. Also my groceries are much cheaper compared to the US which has been great”, commented Felix Kloman.

Felix Kloman who lists Lebron James as his GOAT is currently averaging 32,0ppg an dis second in scoring in the league. He is a 196cm forward that had no problem telling me who he compares his game to. His answer came out as quickly as a shot gun operates. “Dion Waiters. I’d rather go 0-30 than 0-9 because that means I stopped shooting.” Great advice”, said Felix Kloman. He may be an incredible scorer and shooter, but he is so much more than that. “I try my best to be a Swiss army knife on the basketball court. I have played a lot of different roles over my basketball career, and this has allowed me to become a more versatile player. I take pride in playing on both ends of the floor and doing the little things to win”, expressed Felix Kloman. Last season at Babson, he was at 40%. It is only normal that his ambitions to shoot the ball are very high. “Well to be honest I would love to bring my shooting game to the point where I am shooting 100%, but if that is not possible I hope to continue to put my undivided attention on the next shot I shoot and stay present. I put a lot of work in on the court and mentally to become a resilient and adaptable shooter”, said Felix Kloman. Even if he is an incredible offensive player, he is a player that also wants to make an impact on the defensive end. “ I think I am a solid defender currently, and love guarding the other team´s scorer or best player. There is always work to be done, and I just want to keep getting opportunities to guard the great players in this league to continue to improve as a defender myself”, stated Felix Kloman. He also continues to grind hard in the lab so he ican continue to improve other aspects of his game. “ I’m working on tightening up my handle a bit so I can play the 1 and not just the 2 or 3”, warned Felix Kloman. It will be interesting where the journey of AS Soleuvre Belvaux (Luxembourg-Nationale 2) and Felix Koman will go this season. Will the club finally win a title again and will Kloman hit for 50 plus points again? Life is very exciting at the moment for Felix Kloman as he is living the dream of an American baller overseas.