FARMVILLE, Va. – Longwood University freshman men’s basketball student-athlete Michael Kessens/Nyon Switzerland is this week’s Longwood Male Athlete of the Week. The 6-9 forward averaged 21.5 points and 4.0 rebounds in two games last week. He scored a career-high and game-high 22 points at High Point University on January 30, adding five rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block. Kessens had 21 points, three rebounds, one assist and one block at Gardner-Webb University on February 2. He is averaging 12.5 points and 8.7 rebounds, and is the team leader in field goal percentage (.551), free throws (56), free throw attempts (85), rebounds (201), rebound average, offensive rebounds (63-2.7), defensive rebounds (1386.0), blocks (31) and dunks (19). Kessens was also named the Big South Conference/The Crons Brand Freshman of the Week for games played Jan. 30-Feb. 2, the third time that he has earned the league honor, including his selections on November 19 and December 17.
Question and Answer Session with Michael Kessens and Abby Pendleton / 11-21-12
AP: How does it feel to have put together so many points and rebounds thus far in the season?
MK: On an individual point of view, it is something I’m proud of, but the biggest stat in the game is the score at the end of the game. I’d rather win then have good individual stats.
AP: What sparked your interest in playing basketball?
MK: I played soccer for 10 years, and when I was 16, I was getting too tall for it and lots of my friends were playing basketball, so I just went to one of their practices. That's how it started.
AP: What has been one of your proudest moments playing basketball?
MK: In summer of 2011, I was selected to the U21 German national team.
AP: Do you have a pre-game ritual?
MK: I don't really have any pre-game rituals. I just listen to my music to get focused, but I wouldn't call it a ritual.
AP: What are your post-graduate plans?
MK: I really want to play professionally one day, either in the U.S. or back home in Europe. But I know by experience that a lot of things can happen in four years.
AP: Why did you choose Longwood?
MK: I chose Longwood because I think it's a good school for me. I did not want to play at a huge school because that's not what I like. When Coach Gillian recruited me, I had a really good feeling with him.
AP: What is your favorite Longwood tradition?
MK: I really enjoyed Oktoberfest because it is actually inspired by the German Oktoberfest, which I am very familiar with.
AP: Before coming to Longwood, had you travelled to the United States before?
MK: I had visited New York in 2009 during the summer. A good friend of mine has family there.
AP: Is it different playing basketball here than at home?
MK: Yes, it is very different. It is a lot more physical and intense here than back home. That's why I chose to come to the U.S. because I need that physical aspect to help further develop my game.
AP: Is it difficult to go to school so far away from home?
MK: It is difficult for me because I have to adapt to a lot of things. The English language isn't my first language and I'm also very far away from home … it's tough because I never see my family. I also have to adapt to the academics along with basketball.
AP: Is there anything interesting that most people don’t know about you or your family?
MK: There are two things that people may want to know about me. First, I am very proud of my bi-racial heritage, and secondly, I was raised by my mother alone, on her own, and I owe her everything I have.
AP: Do you have any role models?
MK: My mother
AP: Do you have any advice for an aspiring basketball player what you would tell them?
MK: Basketball is a fun, never forget that!
