Pic Credit: Angel Media

Even if KJ Sherrill (203-F/C-1991, college: Augusta) who feels that the New York Knicks were more hungry and wanted it more than the Spurs helped them win the 2026 NBA title didn´t know it yet then back between 2018-2020 when he played for the then SG Luetzel-Post Koblenz (Germany-Regionalliga) that would land back in Koblenz 5 years later as a coach. But if one looks back at his pro career overseas, the SG Luetzel-Post Koblenz (Germany-Regionalliga was his most consistent time as a pro as he played 45 Regionalliga games and averaged 9.2ppg, 3.5rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 61.4%, 3PT: 50.0%, FT: 77.4% and 12.9ppg, 8.7rpg, 2.1apg, FGP: 57.8%, 3PT: 50.0%, FT: 69.5%. Ok so he did spend 3 seasons in Limburg, but that was during Covid and in his last season played only 1 game. Koblenz was always a place that stayed dear in his heart. “My 2 years in Koblenz was very nice! We were successful on the court, but the relationship I built with my teammates was the best. Players like Yassin Mahfouz and Zaire Thompson made playing for Koblenz exciting. Best moments had to be winning games with them being a part of the success”, remembered KJ Sherrill. It also helped that his ex head coach with the Dragons Rhondorf Stephan Dohrn became the new head coach in 2025. It was only logical that he would follow. He continues to make steps as a coach as he helped win the Pro B title with the Dragons Rhondorf in 2024 and was an assistant coach last season in the Pro A with Koblenz. Now he will take a new step as he will be a full-time youth coach with the club. “Taking this step and coaching young boys is nothing new for him. “I have a strong bond with the youth in general, no matter if I’m in the States or in Germany. I work well with them and I enjoy pushing them to become better persons on and off the court. So when the offer was presented to me, I took it into consideration. I want to be the one who helps put youth basketball in Koblenz on the map”, warned KJ Sherrill.

Pic credit: Angel Media

Before we talk about the future with the Georgia native, it is necessary to digest the past and the last season with the EPG Baskets Koblenz that ended with a 14h place and a record of 13-20. I always thought that with the talent that the club had on paper, they were a team with playoff potential, but it just wasn´t meant to be. In some ways it was a season of what if´s in the last 2 months where some close games were lost. “Despite the season record, I think we showed an improvement from the previous season’s they’ve had. There were a lot of close games we lost at the buzzer or within the last quarter. I think we proved to the league and fans that we had a strong team who just came up short within many games. On top of that, we had injuries that were unfortunate for us”, stressed KJ Sherrill. After the incredible buzzer beater win in Crailsheim the EPG Baskets Koblenz finished the season losing 7 of 8 games. The team lost close games against Paderborn and Tuebingen. Would a few better results been rewarded with a playoff appearance? “There were many games that we fought until the end, but just came up short for the win. Whether that’s from lack of discipline or lack of focus and also playing without certain players due to injuries. With a complete healthy team and more focus, we could’ve been a playoffs team for sure”, said KJ Sherrill. A big problem during the season was the team defense and it was an area that just didn´t get better during the season. “When other teams made runs, I think we just got a little too excited and instead of answering back with a structured offense, we tend to think one person can take over the game and win for themselves. But basketball is a team sport, so if everyone isn’t hungry and ready on defense, the defense will get exposed”, stated KJ Sherrill. The club was a great offensive team. That aspect of the season was one where EPG fans got their money´s worth. “Coach Stephan does a great job of recruiting players that can flat out score, for instance Tim Smith, Calvin Wishart, and DJ Jeffries. He does a phenomenal job of giving players confidence and the green light to score the ball. It has been a pleasure working with him throughout these years. Each year for me with him is another year of learning and growing as a coach. He has helped me grow and is continuing doing so”, remembered KJ Sherrill.

Pic Credit: Angel Media

For the 203cm forward who believes that NBA teams will have match up problems against the Celtics should Giannis be traded there had another season where he produced very fond memories with all the players he worked with. One of those special players was Minnesota native Calvin Wishart who will continue his career in the easyCredit BBL. “Calvin was great working with because the dude can ball, no question at all if he’s able to play in the BBL. His skill set makes him one of the best guards this past season, so I can definitely see him being successful in the top league of Germany”, warned KJ Sherrill. He also will never forget defensive specialist Devonte McCall who brought the needed impactful energy at both ends. “Devonte was valuable to this team more than ever. Simply because he was a monster whenever he wanted to be. Vonte was by far the strongest, most athletic guard/wing player in the league. When we needed a stop defensively, we knew we could count of him to try his best to get us a stop. He was hungry and us coaches knew we could rely on him as well as making a play offensively”, commented KJ Sherrill. Another great performer was work horse DJ Jeffries who often carried the team in vital phases of a game. “DJ Jeffries had to be one of the best additions to the team because not only was he a work horse, he was a great team player as well. Very unselfish but also knew that he could score the ball whenever he wanted to. Literally can play multiple positions, can guard multiple positions and was very coachable. Players like DJ is what every coach would love to have on their roster”, remembered KJ Sherrill. Badu Buck was a guy that could get hot at anytime as well as make big plays on defense. He is also a very jovial guy. He is a guy that had a very special place in Sherrill´s heart after already winning a title in Rhondorf. “Badu Buck would be the player I’m more close to, our relationship goes deeper than basketball. One of the best shooters we had on the team and by far the best captain us coaches has ever had. We knew we could count on him to make big shots for us, which he did! We’ve created so many memories that I can’t point out just one specific”, smiled KJ Sherrill. One player who was a great candidate for unsung hero was Alex Moeller who often was a scoring force from the bench. “Alex Moeller came up big for us towards the end of the season. Even if he didn’t start the game, he was the one who we needed on the court at the end of the game with his big and strong presence under the basket”, added KJ Sherrill. So who was the best candidate for most improved on the team? “I would say Tim Smith Jr. We knew that he was a great scorer in Pro B, but he transitioned into becoming one of the best scorers in Pro A. Tim is a guy who can play in any league in Europe and be affective with his ability to shoot. Great player with even greater character”, warned KJ Sherrill. It is easy to understand why the big buzzer beater winner by Julian Larry was his favorite moment of the season. “Each game we won I’d say was a great feeling, but yes the my most favorite game would be the buzzer beater against Crailsheim. Beating them in their gym with an energetic atmosphere was exciting and fulfilling”, expressed KJ Sherrill.

Pic Credit: Angel Media

The ex Charlotte (NCAA) player who believes with his confident side that he could win 1 out of 10 1-1 game against Wemby, but then again believes that in reality that he wouldn´t be able to score 1 point against him also developed further as a coach in 2025-2026. “My growth came from assisting Coach Stephan. He does a great job critiquing the game of basketball and simplifying it to a way us coaches can understand and to also teach the players ourselves. Not only does he give the players confidence, he gives us assisting him confidence as well”, said KJ Sherrill. He has a new challenge with the EPG Baskets Koblenz as youth coach and is more than prepared. “I’m looking forward mostly in watching the youth grow from the 1st day of training until the end of their career’s. Watching them train day in and day out to reach that level they all would love to be at. I will support and build confidence to them to the fullest that they all with get to that point”, stated KJ Sherrill. He will be more than busy as he will also help in other areas this upcoming season. “I will be fully committed to the youth players and teams, coaching them and molding them into elite players with my skill development and trainings. I will also continue being the skills development trainer for the Pro A”, commented KJ Sherrill. Even if he will be in his 4th season of coaching, he doesn´t see his new coaching job as a challenge as it isn´t something totally new. “I’d say it shouldn’t be much of challenge since I’m somewhat experienced with the youth already. I’ve been working youth basketball camps in the States every summer for over 10 years. Training the youth U10-U12 for the Rhöndorf Dragons also gave me confidence as well”, warned KJ Sherrill. The upcoming EPG Baskets Koblenz season will be number 4 in the Pro A and all eyes will be on Stephan Dohrn and what he can produce from the sidelines. KJ Sherrill will be busier than ever and all eyes will also be on him with what he can help achieve on the youth side of the organization.