Keeshawn Kellman (203-F-2000, college: FGCU) is a 203cm forward from Pennslyvania that has the American Guyana citizenship that is playing his rookie season with easyCredit BBL team MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg averaging 6,8ppg and 6,8rpg. He began his basketball career with the Perkiomen school and then played at Princeton (NCAA) from 2019-2022 playing a total of 50 games. He then finished at Florida Gulf Coast University (NCAA) averaging 12.0ppg, 7.1rpg, 1.1bpg, FGP: 69.1%, FT: 68.4% and 13.7ppg, 7.3rpg, 1.0apg, 1.1bpg, FGP: 62.5%, 3PT: 31.3%, FT: 57.7%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball last summer.

Congrats Keeshawn on signing with the MHP RiesenLudwigsburg. You’re embarking on your pro career in Germany and your uncle Colin Stuart was a professional cricket player in the West Indies. Have you ever tried the sport and could you be good at it?

I’ve never played the sport but it looks fun. I’ve seen clips of my Uncle playing and I’ve also watched the game a little bit because my Dad is a cricket fan. Maybe I could be a good fast bowler because of my height and build.

How excited are you to start your pro career in Germany? What are you looking forward to most?

I am definitely very excited to begin my pro journey this coming season in Germany. I am looking forward to meeting my coaches, teammates and the entire Ludwigsburg community when I get there and then getting to work and winning with my guys.

What do you know in general about the country Germany and it´s basketball? You come from Allentown which is known for having a German population. How has Germany affected you over the years?

After I was given the opportunity to play in Germany, I heard of and looked into the country’s impact on Allentown. I learnt that it was prevalent in a few ways, as Allentown does celebrate Oktoberfest pretty hard and there are plenty of rural parts that have similarities to Germany. I also know about the extensive soccer culture in Germany and how popular basketball has become.

You have had teammates over the years that have balled in Germany. Did you get any advice from some, like maybe a Ryan Schwieger or Richmond Aririguzoh?

Yes I’ve been in contact with both of them over the years and gained valuable information about their experiences overseas and specifically in Germany. They both relayed how enjoyable playing in Germany has been for them *and that made my decision to come play here even easier.* They have given me advice on how to conduct myself as a professional and how to adjust to German culture coming from America.

The MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg are a very ambitious organization that has a winning culture. What were the main reasons for joining them?

The biggest thing that attracted me to Ludwigsburg was the winning culture that you brought up. I want to be a part of a team that is hardworking, prides themselves on playing hard and is well known for their defense and I know that Ludwigsburg has historically played with that edge being known as a team that plays hard game in and game out.

How did the talks go with head coach Mikko Riipinen. What did you appreciate most about his basket philosophy?

Our conversations went well. He was very transparent about his vision for the team, how he coaches, how he wants to play, and how he sees me fitting in. I like that he prides himself on the defensive end and playing an offensive system that utilizes everyone on the court for a balanced attack.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 203cm forward. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

I would say guys like Bam Adebayo in terms of his defensive versatility, Jalen Duren, Kenneth Faired when he was with the Nuggets, and Montrezl Harrell. Guys who may be a bit undersized at the 5 but play with a high motor and play bigger than they are.

You can score and rebound on offense and block shots on defense. Would you call yourself already a 2-way player, or are you getting there?

Yes, I would consider myself to be a two-way player. I feel like I can impact the game offensively in multiple ways, and I really pride myself on playing defense.

You’re a guy also that gives a lot of power and energy. What other strengths does your offensive game possess?

One thing I am passionate about is getting offensive rebounds. I pride myself on getting my team extra possessions. I am also able to use my athleticism to be a lob threat and to play in the dunker spot. In addition, I have a good touch around the basket with both hands with different finishes.

You only took 22 three’s in 5 years in the NCAA. Is the three a part of your game that you want to develop more?

Yes, absolutely, it’s a skill that I’ve been working on consistently the past few years. I know that when I can consistently hit threes, it would not only open up my game, but it would also open up the entire team’s offense once I become a threat

You’re a very strong defender. What kind of a defender are you now coming overseas and where would you like to be as a defender in 3 years?

I feel that defense is one of my strong suits and that I am multifaceted at that end. I’m a good rim protector for a big my size where I can contest and block shots at the basket. I can guard in the post and force bigs into tough shots. I am also comfortable guarding screens in multiple ways, from drop, to hard hedge, to blitzing. I have gotten better at switching onto guards and staying in front, that’s a skill I want to improve on for sure over the next 3 years, along with using my hands better to get more steals/deflections.

On what areas of your game are you working on most this summer so you can be best prepared for your rookie season?

My conditioning has been my biggest focus this offseason. I know the pace at which the Bundesliga plays and how much more intense the pro game is from the college game, so just trying to be ready for that. Skill-wise, I’ve been working on my overall game, just trying to get better at multiple skills to be more versatile.

You played 3 years at Princeton University. You improved your scoring season stats every season. How did your game grow there under Mitch Henderson?

I was a reserve and I got injured my 1st year, we didn’t have a season my 2nd year because of covid, and I was injured for the majority of my 3rd year. I only really played consistently my senior year there. Being around other very talented players yearly where I got the chance to go against them in practice daily and to play with them in my final year there helped me improve my game for sure.

In your last season at Princeton, you had some big games against Dartmouth and beat Arizona at March madness. What was your most memorable personal game there?

I’ve definitely had a few memorable games my last year there. My first game that year against Hofstra was definitely fun, I went 9/9 from the field with a few dunks. In the Ivy League playoff semifinals against our sworn rivals Penn, I made a few key plays coming onto the end of the game including a couple of blocks, a few timely offensive rebounds thru traffic and took a charge that helped us seal the game.

What memories will you always have from March Madness. You had big wins against Arizona and Missouri, but then lost to Creighton.

Our success in March Madness was definitely the most exciting part of my career thus far. I have a few lasting memories from those games. I remember getting a block on their big early on that swung the momentum for us and doing so again in the 2nd half. I also had a putback dunk late in the game that gave us even more momentum to get the win. Against Missouri I had a 3 possession stretch where I had a dunk, made a vertical contest that forced a turnover, then came down and dunked it again. Then, early in the 2nd half, I got a nice block, then came down and got another dunk.

How enriching was the whole Ivy league experience? How do you think did those 3 years help you mature best as a man?

It was definitely an adjustment for me when I first got to Princeton in every way. From the basketball, to the academics to the overall Ivy League lifestyle. I had a pretty large learning curve but I feel that everything that I experienced over my 4 years at Princeton helped me make large strides on who I am today and I definitely grew a lot from it. I am thankful for everything I’ve experienced during my time there, all of the challenging times that tested me and all of the good times that I enjoyed.

You then played 2 seasons at Florida Gulf Coast University (NCAA) averaging 12.0ppg, 7.1rpg, 1.1bpg, FGP: 69.1%, FT: 68.4% and 13.7ppg, 7.3rpg, 1.0apg, 1.1bpg, FGP: 62.5%, 3PT: 31.3%, FT: 57.7% You had so many memorable games like against UNF and Stetson. What was your most memorable game with FGCU?

I definitely had a lot of games over the 2 years at FGCU that stuck with me, but my most memorable was probably a game against Queens at home this past year. I would say that they were our rivals, and we were very geared up from that game. I came out aggressive the entire first half, and we were all clicking on both sides of the ball. I might’ve had games with better stats, but that game will always stick to me because of everything involved leading up to it.

How did head coach Patrick Chambers groom and prepare you best for a pro career?

His overall belief in me and the amount of confidence he instilled in me no matter how things were going has definitely helped me prepare to be a pro. He always asked me what I saw on the court and asked for my input, which made me really think of the game more than I ever did. He also had me involved in a lot of concepts on both ends that were foreign to me before getting to FGCU that are used in the professional ranks.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Zach Anderson?

We never actually played 1 on 1, but he is a very skillful player, and I know that it would’ve been a great game either way.

Who is the best player that you ever battled that reached the NBA?

I played against Tyrese Martin in HS as we are both from Allentown. I also played against Precious Achiwa in AAU, and I’ve played the likes of Kel-el Ware and Bub Carrington while I was at FGCU.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

It’s hard to narrow it down to 5 players but since I have to I’ll have to name 5 in no particular order: Tosan Evbuomwan, Dallion Johnson, Ryan Schweiger, Richmond Aririguzoh, and Jaelin Llewelyn

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore of your best 5 players of all-time?

LeBron James Michael Jordan Kobe Bryant Shaquille O’Neal Kevin Durant

Who is your GOAT?

LeBron James, I didn’t get the chance to grow up watching Michael Jordan, so I am biased towards LeBron.

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

I never got the chance to see the sequel actually, I might have to watch it.

Thanks Keeshawn for the chat.