As an American with the German citizenship, I have always celebrated Xmas the German way. I was born in the States and always celebrated on the 24th while all my American friends had to wait until the 25th to see if they got a GI Joe doll or a Star Wars figure. I came to Germany in 2001 and kept the German tradition alive and have never opened presents on the 25th. I have only been back to USA twice since 2001 to celebrate Xmas. But how must it feel for an American who has been overseas for a while, but never been back since? If your KJ Sherrill (203-F/C-1991, college: Augusta) the assistant coach of the EPG Baskets Koblenz, then he can sing a song of that because he hasn´t been back to North Carolina in a decade. That is quite unusual, but as so often is the case in life, love is something that is thicker than the lust for momma´s home cooking. “The last 10 years I’ve spent Christmas in Bremerhaven with my wife and her family”, said KJ Sherrill. The power forward who was a walking bucket during his playing days in Germany began his career in Cuxhaven and also played in Bonn, Koblenz and Limburg while starting his coaching career in Bad Honnef with the Dragons Rhondorf. It is fair to say that Germany has become a second home to him. It doesn´t really matter if he is in the States or Germany, Xmas has only one meaning to him. “Christmas means nothing more than togetherness with your loved ones celebrating a special time of the year”stressed KJ Sherrill

Even if the ex Charlotte (NCAA) forward has been overseas the last 10 years for Xmas, he did have enough Christmas´s at home in North Carolina during a kid. As A kid, Xmas was one of his favorite time of the year which is no surprise. “Christmas growing up in the states was always something you looked forward to each year. Nothing but family and friends all together celebrating the holiday. Something I definitely miss now as an adult”, commented KJ Sherrill. Christmas eve in the States could probably seem like an eternity for a kid, but for him it was pure elation. “Christmas Eve was always just as exciting as Christmas Day. Normally we would all be under one roof together, doing gift exchanges and eating nice foods”, added KJ Sherrill. Every kid has their favorite present growing up, but also their favorite gift that they gave a loved one. It is always nice to see how well mothers are treated during this period. “My favorite presents as a kid would have to be either PlayStation 1 and PlayStation 2 or either a Mongoose trick bicycle and my favorite gift I’ve ever given a family member would have to be jewelry to my mother. She loves jewelry so that always makes her happy.”, smiled KJ Sherrill. When it comes to his favorite Xmas food, he is pretty divided between USA and Germany while concerning his favorite movie and song, he is totally American. “My favorite Christmas food would have to be Turkey, potatoes, kroketten, Rotkohl, and Rosenkohl. My favorite Christmas movie would have to be Friday After Next and favorite song, any song from The Jackson 5 Christmas Album”, smiled KJ Sherrilll.

In the last 10 years one could say that he has really began to cherish how Germans celebrate Xmas. In America there is so much advertisement for the holiday time and especially the lights that one sees on families properties has always been big. In Germany it seems like the whole Christmas lights vibe has also increased a lot in the last 20 years. But one thing that USA does not have are the unique Christmas markets that Germany presents every November. “I’d say the build up to Xmas is very similar. Just like in the states, pre-Christmas here they also get together with family and just fellowship with each other and eat nice foods. Especially Raclette, which is my favorite“, stated KJ Sherrilll. He is a big fan of the Chistmas markets and even has a favorite one. “I’ve visited many Christmas markets here in Germany and I must say, they are great! Christmas markets are always full of happy people and amazing foods! The best thing about Christmas markets to me is the Eirpunsch. My favorite Christmas market would have to be in Köln. There’s many markets there and they’re all pretty big”, expressed KJ Sherrilll. Even if he has been blessed to always be with loved ones on Xmas, he does have a wish that could happen for everyone during this special time of the year. “My Christmas wish for the world is to have everyone fortunate enough to spend the holidays with family and friends, somewhere in a warm house with warm food to eat. Family time is what holidays are all about, not gifts”, stressed KJ Sherrilll. With the new year just around the corner, he also has a precise goal for himself. “My only New Year’s resolution would be continue to grow as a man and build on things that will allow me to have a better future. Get closer to God and continue helping my Koblenz team get better on the court”, warned KJ Sherrilll. But one tradition definitely has changed for his German family. “We normally open our gifts in the morning. I don’t think I’d like having to wait the whole day to open my presents, I would be too excited”, said KJ Sherrilll. Even in Germany, KJ Sherrilll can have that good old American tradition of opening presents in the morning. Some traditions simply never change for him