Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelvin McConnell.
Kelvin, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Went to Whitefield Academy where I started all four years on varsity. I had to play against the number one pick in the 2004 draft Dwight Howard & Javaris Crittenton was the number 19 pick in the 2007 draft my freshman year four times. My junior year I shot 53% from the three-point line which was first or second in the nation at the time. For some reason, I was still under-recruited when it was time to pick college. At the last minute, I got invited to Kennesaw State to play pickup with the team and the rest was history. I played really well and Coach Tony Ingle sat me down in office and told me he loved my game and wanted to offer me a scholarship but they didn’t have any scholarships available that year. I was offered a preferred walk-on spot and I took full advantage. By mid-season, I was starting point guard as a walk-on and went on to score 1000 points in my career. One of my biggest highlights from college was my senior year where we beat Georgia Tech by 18 which really helped the program. Now I’ve been doing basketball skills training for four years giving my knowledge back to these players.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I definitely had an unconventional path to success in high school and in college. In high school as freshmen, I started off playing JV and only playing in varsity at the end of games. One night we were on the road in a hostile environment in Montgomery County and my coach told me before the game that I would starting. I ended seven three-pointers and we won by one. It was the turning point of my career. Even at my high school graduation, I was the only student who didn’t know where they were attending even after graduation but I got the opportunity with Kennesaw State at the last minute. I was in a similar situation in college as well. I wasn’t starting at first but we ended playing in Las Vegas in a Christmas tournament against UNLV, Minnesota & Nicholls State. I played pretty good so I was named the full time starter right before conference play and the rest was history.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Natural Player Development – what should we know?
Natural Player Development is the name of my basketball training company where I specialize in teaching players footwork, ball handling, shooting, and basketball IQ. I enjoy working with high profile players but I get more gratitude when I help a player make their school team or AAU that didn’t make it prior to working with me. I truly care about these players not to only be better basketball players but better people as well.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Faith, Determination, & Perseverance.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 4049934559
- Email: kelvinmcconnellbball@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naturalplayerdevelopment/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kelvin.mcconnell
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/NaturalPlayerD
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