Amsterdam, Holland is a whopping 11 hour and 45-minute flight to the airport nearest the sprawling, 167-acre facility at Scotland Campus Sports.
For Amsterdam native Jeroen Kales, however, the transition requires little adjustment.
Possessing deft, floor-spreading 3-point shooting ability as a 6-foot-5 off guard, Kales spent the last two seasons plying his trade at American prep institutions. He was previously 22 Feet Academy (S.C.) and then Lee Academy (M.E.).
Possessing deft, floor-spreading 3-point shooting ability as a 6-foot-5 off guard, Kales spent the last two seasons plying his trade at American prep institutions. He was previously 22 Feet Academy (S.C.) and then Lee Academy (M.E.).
In becoming cognizant of the hyper-competitive environment of prep basketball at this level, Kales has adapted to the furious work rate required.
A 12-month commitment to training, consistent skill development labor, extended hours in the gym, and an unwavering commitment to refining holes in his game are all essential ingredients for survival or sustainability.
Such is life when you entertain a nationally notable schedule. This preparation becomes a necessity when you face 7-footers and a variety of Division-I talent steadily throughout the season.
Such is life when you entertain a nationally notable schedule. This preparation becomes a necessity when you face 7-footers and a variety of Division-I talent steadily throughout the season.
Playing for Chris Chaney, who has authored more longevity and career wins as any current coach on the prep scene, Kales will adapt to a new approach.
A disciplined running game and hard, confrontational defense across all 94 feet are bedrock principles of Chaney’s system. In Kales, who is flushed into a significant role alongside fellow countryman Lawrence Slim, Chaney envisions a knockdown specialist capable of providing consistent supplementary scoring. Kales is one of the program’s elite student-athletes, possessing a 4.0 GPA and loading up on advanced level courses this semester.
Excellence in the classroom has aspired Kales to shoot for lofty goals this season. Attaining a few Ivy League scholarships are first and foremost.
After switching schools mid-way through last season, following what he depicts as uncertainty at 22 Feet, Kales has a new niche. With that comes new gaudy on-court expectations he’ll subscribe to. With the regular season schedule—which includes multiple tournaments on the exposure-heavy Grind Session—slated to kick off in November Kales has put forth a rigorous workload.
Kales On His Role At SCS
The first thing I’m looking for definitely is finding how I have to contribute to help win the game. So, if I need to score more, I’ll do that. If I have to rebound more, I’ll focus more on that. Most of all, I’ll try to center my game on filling a void. I’ll have to bring coach’s focus to the game and translate his vision to the court. So, making sure everything goes according to plan. Bringing energy is definitely what I expect to do.
On His Decision To Play In The U.S.
I’m always looking to play against the best competition I can, to be on the biggest stage on the world for basketball at my. Really, play the best basketball I can and get the best education I can through basketball. Make my parents proud.
On His Prior Prep experience
It was great because we had athletic guys to play against. So, I had to adapt my game because in Europe the game isn’t predicated on athleticism. Also, seeing their work ethic and seeing the way the work inspired me. Even in Holland, I was always the guy that was there five hours after practice continuing to work and get shots up. That mentality was always there as far as working. During the off-season, I made sure I had five quality hours in the gym. The key is working and using the time effectively to get better and working on game-like situations. That’s how you get better.
On Improvement
Definitely my explosiveness was the area I improved in most. I feel like I can dunk on almost every drive I get or when I get to the basket. I can finally perform a windmill dunk with my left hand. That part of my game has grown. My shot release got a lot quicker. I changed my form over the summer, I’m still trying to get my shot as consistent as possible. My handles have been improved, I’ve been trying to get them as tight as possible. There’s tougher defense in the U.S., more active hands. So, I had to adapt to that. Coach Sullivan has been helping me with that a lot. Coach Chaney has helped me focus on my footwork, starting from the bottom up. I think mainly my confidence improved over the summer.
On Academic Commitment
I’ve always been a guy who has the ability to hyper focus. I know that when basketball is over I want to hyper focus on whatever job I’m doing and be as successful as I can in that. My goal is to be successful in life, in whatever category it is. Whether it is in basketball or investment banking, which I have interest in, I want that success. I was kind of ADHD kid when I was younger because I had so much energy. I learned that on the court I could channel that in the right direction. Sports helped me put my energy in the right directions I think basketball taught me that. And there’s a lot of discipline that comes with it as well. I could control my grades and how hard I worked, so I tried to control that as much as I could. That positioned me to perform in the classroom.
