After arriving in Athens a little more than a month ago, Kenneth van Kempen has been getting acclimated to Athens and college basketball. Van Kempen, a 6-foot-9-inch forward from Weert, Holland, recently sat down with The Post's Nick Miller to discuss life, basketball and what there is to do in Athens.
The Post: What is the biggest difference moving from professional, European-style basketball to American-college style?
Van Kempen: For me, everyone tells me to the dunk the ball. I can dunk, but I got other things to do. European style has better fundamentals. I am not saying I have better fundamentals then these guys ' they do the right layup, if you can dunk it, do it ' but if you can't, just make the shot and get two points to win the game.
The Post[/I}: So your teammates get on you for not dunking the ball?
Van Kempen: Yeah, they want me to dunk, but that is logical. I don't dunk much because I can't jump that high. I need a couple of steps. It isn't a problem; I am working hard on my jumps so I will be able to.
The Post: How's your English coming along?
Van Kempen: It is all right. You learn a lot talking with people and stuff like that. Sometimes if you talk to some people you don't know the words you want, so I think in Dutch ' like, damn, I need that word but I don't know it. It is okay; people understand what I mean.
The Post: How's it been getting adjusted over here to the college system?
Van Kempen: There are a lot of things to do, so you stay busy. I am getting used to it. The first week I thought a lot about home, but because I was busy you pass that and I am enjoying it here.
The Post: How do you like Athens after being here for a month or so?
Van Kempen: It's okay. I thought there'd be more to do. If you want to go to do something you need a car to go somewhere. I didn't get to bring a lot of clothes with me and so I need to go the mall to get more, but then you got to drive to Columbus. Most the time you are busy with school and practice and besides that, I like to sleep.
The Post: How is life in Holland?
Van Kempen: There are little differences with food and the way you talk with people. But with sports, it is real different. Here, I can play basketball any minute of the day; there, you have a club system where you pay for the gym so you only got like two hours to play every day.
The Post: How's the team taking you in?
Van Kempen: The team is great. They try to make me feel at home and they are like a family. They are helping me get used to the American system.
The Post: Any nicknames?
Van Kempen: They call me KVK right now.
The Post: How excited are you to be gearing up for the season and getting ready to play some games?
Van Kempen: You don't want to know. With preseason in Holland the next week you practice a week then play exhibition games all preseason. Here you only have conditioning and individual workouts ' no games until the one exhibition game. It takes a long time to get to the point where you are ready to play and I can't wait to get started.
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