Academics, hoops bring Stevens to Kalamazoo College

Sturgis basketball coach Keith Kurowski is excited for JJ Stevens’ next opportunity.

Stevens is as well and Kurowski believes the Sturgis graduate will really fit in at the next level. Stevens has signed on to continue his academic and basketball careers with Kalamazoo College.

“I think he’ll be a tremendous fit, he’s a great student-athlete,” Kurowski said of Stevens at Kalamazoo. “It’s a high-powered academic school and I think that’s a good spot for him, he will fit right in there. He has the work ethic and the right attitude. He’s a very unselfish kid and it’s a good environment and atmosphere for him.”

Kalamazoo College is a Division III school which competes in the MIAA Conference.

Stevens mentioned wanting to play in the MIAA league as a goal of his prior to signing.

“I’ve been dreaming of this, one of my goals was to get into this conference and I’m looking forward to the competition it will bring,” he said.

Stevens played the interior on the court during his time at Sturgis. He understands that might not be what happens once he gets onto a college floor as the game features players who can compete at multiple positions.

“I’ve been working on being more positionless, I’m not necessarily a five (center) or a three (small forward) and I just to to play everywhere,” he said. “I want to play wherever the team needs me and I want to be the best I can at it.”

The physicality of the college game will certainly be an adjustment for Stevens, but both he and Kurowski, who played for Notre Dame in the early 90s, believe he can make that adjustment.

The game of basketball at the collegiate level is now bigger, faster and stronger. Because of this, Stevens has taken the approach to continue to craft his game and be positionless.

Kurowski mentioned Stevens’ ability to develop as one of his strengths moving forward. Last season, as a senior, Stevens began working on more of a jump shot while also operating on the perimeter.

“He’s a multi-dimensional player and has a great work ethic, he has plenty of confidence and has worked hard since I had him as a sixth grader in camp,” Kurowski said. “He loves the game of basketball. He’s a good student. He’s determined to excel at that next level and take that next step. It won’t be easy, but he’s up for it. His goal was to play in college and he’s reached that goal.”

Stevens earned All-State recognition for this past season. He poured in 17.7 points with seven rebounds and two assists per game. Stevens himself said his speed and coordination as a “big” will help him transition to the next level. He has no problem diving on the floor for loose balls or jumping and out-working opponents to snag a rebound.

“He’s a good all-around player. He can pass, dribble and shoot the basketball,” Kurowski said. “He knows the game, he’s a very cerebral player and very unselfish. He will bring a lot to the table for them. I think he will be a great complimentary player early as he continues to grow into his role.”

For academic purposes, Stevens said he will be aiming to study business while at Kalamazoo. He’s not entirely sure just yet on what that will end up being as a profession, but he could see himself owning his own business or going into sports management to potentially become an athletic director someday.

When it comes to picking Kalamazoo College, he said there were some positives he absolutely had to take advantage of as well.

“Proximity was big, it’s only 45 minutes away but also it’s the city and being able to play basketball was great, too,” he said. “It’s really nice there. The campus is sweet. We have all this city and people and then Kalamazoo College is in its own little bubble right there in the middle. It’s perfect for me.”

This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: Academics, hoops bring Stevens to Kalamazoo College