WBB: Ke’Shunan James’ journey from Murray State to Slovakia

For the previous three years, Ke’Shunan James, a member of Murray State Corridor of Fame who performed for the Racers from 2014 to 2018, has been enjoying in Slovakia, the place she has gained three championships in a row. Final season, she took her sport to a different stage, incomes Finals MVP, Participant of the 12 months, Ahead of the 12 months, Import of the 12 months and All-Slovakia First Workforce honors. Taking part in for Piešťanské Čajky, she averaged 18.7 factors, 5.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists and three.0 steals per sport. We talked to her about her profession thus far, basketball in Slovakia and future plans.

Courtesy of Workforce United (@teamunitedproam) through X/Twitter.

What was your past love: softball, volleyball or basketball? How did basketball handle to win?

Softball had my coronary heart first as a result of my mother performed it. What was the largest purpose I began? I wished to be like her. Then, I grew to become actually good at it and my profession bought off. Basketball was the selection as a result of I discovered that I might go additional within the sport, like I’m doing now. Softball stopped in faculty, basketball didn’t.

What was the basketball tradition like in Tennessee if you have been rising up?

The basketball tradition was OK, not like most locations. If you happen to performed, you then performed; in case you didn’t, you then didn’t.

What do you keep in mind about highschool ball and committing to Murray State?

Highschool ball was enjoyable for me. I loved it very a lot. I grew to become actually shut with my coach and he helped me with sending movie to high schools and pushing me to the following stage. As soon as I dedicated, I used to be able to show myself. I felt like I had a whole lot of odds stacked towards me so I wanted to work onerous.

Because the OVC Freshman of the 12 months, you have been second on the crew in scoring, averaging 15.4 factors per sport. How did the older gamers really feel about it?

Being the perfect participant as a freshman was onerous for me. I feel I didn’t have a lot assist from my teammates and I realized early that I used to be alone. So I simply tailored and saved going.

You led the OVC in scoring your junior yr. Was that massive for you?

It wasn’t sufficient for me. I’ve all the time been my largest critic and so as soon as I did one thing or broke a report, I used to be all the time searching for the following factor to do. I used to be in competitors with myself.

In 2018, your senior season, you have been named the OVC participant of the yr.

I felt like I ought to have gained this award two years in a row. I deserved it twice. I’m grateful for the award, however they need to have given it to me my junior yr as effectively.

Not going to argue with that. Had been you all the time this assured in your expertise and skills? Or was that one thing that you simply needed to develop due to circumstances?

I feel rising up my mother and pa helped me be assured. They all the time informed me to wager on myself. I labored very onerous from a really younger age. I practiced every single day, even on my off days. Nothing was ever given to me! I bought every little thing I’ve now from pure work. So I feel my confidence is understanding that I’ll put within the work to make it occur for myself. By no means requested for a hand out and by no means bought one. So I’m assured in my skills.

You then went on to play in Greece, Mexico and Ukraine. Are you able to fee these experiences?

Greece was my favourite nation, the individuals, the climate, the meals, every little thing was nice. [In] Mexico, [the] basketball was good; I want I used to be there the entire season as a result of possibly it could have been a greater expertise. Ukraine? I beloved the cash. That’s it.

Three years in the past you moved to Slovakia. What do you know concerning the nation previous to your transfer there?

The one factor I knew about Slovakia was that I performed towards one among their groups after I was in Ukraine. I took an opportunity and now I’m a triple champion, so I’m pleased with the outcomes.

Picture courtesy of Lukáš Droppan.

Within the 2021-22 season you suffered a knee damage. As a substitute of reducing you, your membership saved you on the roster and helped you recuperate.

It was my first massive damage and it nearly broke me. I cried every single day and by no means thought I’d be the identical. I’m grateful for my membership Čajky as a result of all of them took superb care of me and made positive I got here again stronger. Everybody thought I used to be out for the complete season, however I pushed myself and got here again throughout playoffs and helped win the first-ever championship title in membership historical past.

What about this season?

It was a bit bit sweeter for me to win this yr as a result of we had a whole lot of haters. We had some teammates that left to go play for Banská and thought the grass was greener on that facet. So to win and never solely win, however we gained 3-0, was even sweeter and made me very blissful.

Staying on the identical crew for 3 years is uncommon for US gamers in Europe, not to mention profitable three championships in a row. Is there mutual belief between you and the membership?

I’m doing what’s greatest for my profession. This isn’t anybody else’s profession so I’m doing what’s greatest for me. Additionally they care for me and I’m not in a nasty state of affairs in any respect.

Any regrets about your profession, like not making the WNBA? No less than not but that’s.

I’m pleased with my profession proper now. I’m enjoying effectively, I hope to proceed. I’m with a strong crew with a strong coach. I hope to proceed with one other nice season. If I’ve an opportunity to play within the WNBA, I’d gladly do it, however I’m very pleased with my profession proper now as effectively.