The celebrations were in full swing in Cologne after the Dragons Rhondorf had captured the Pro B title against the RheinStars Cologne. The approximately 70 fans that had made the short trek from Bad Honnef were running around taking pics and some of the faithful were yelling and singing and just enjoying every second of the title. Players were just as happy and one that was extra ecstatic was Kelvin Omojola (183-G-1997, college: Northwest). The Las Vegas native had to wait more than 27 years for that first chip. The wait was a torture as he had played at 3 colleges before coming overseas in 2021 and was denied In Speyer and Karlsruhe before finally coming to Bad Honnef. 15 minutes after the buzzer had sounded, the always smiling guard was sitting next to his mom and just taking in the moment the way son and mom would do. As captain of the Dragons, one has to wonder what was traveling through his mind when he was handed the Pro B trophy with his teammates looking on. “I was in awe Miles. I knew we had a great opportunity to win a championship this season, but it’s easy to say that. To go out and actually get the job done? I still can’t believe it. I got to celebrate with the team, the fans, and my mom. My phone was blowing up with people congratulating me, it was awesome”, stressed Dragons Rhondorf point guard Kelvin Omojola.
Fans couldn´t have asked for a better setting for the second final in Cologne. The winner of the Pro B final title has to have the better points difference out of both games. The Dragons Rhondorf came to Cologne with only a 2 point win and the game was up for grabs as the RheinStars had the slight advantage having the home court advantage. The Dragons gave up a 9-0 run to Cologne in the first game and could have come to their living room with more points. But giving up that last run was a blessing in disguise. “It was huge blessing Miles, because even though we won the game we were angry with how we ended it! It left a sour taste in our mouths. But when we went back and watched the film, we loved how we played the other 39 minutes of the game so it gave us the perfect amount of confidence and motivation going into game 2”, said Kelvin Omojola. Another blessing in disguise was ex RheinStars Cologne forward Antonio Pillipovic. He sparked the incredible weekend three point explosion as the Dragons nailed 35 three´s and Pilipovic added 13 in the 3 point rain fall. It also didn´t hurt that the Dragons put up extra shots on Saturday. “AP was locked in! He’s a high level player who is a sniper. With him going against his old club I knew he would be dialed in from the beginning. I’m not surprised at all he had the series he did, deservingly with him receiving series MVP! We watched film for an hour and then got up a ton of shots as a team. We knew the season would be over in 24 hours so we all wanted to be ready for Game 2”, warned Kelvin Omojola. The defense wasn´t a big strength of the Dragons in the season, but the club practiced it hard every day and they were rewarded in the 2 final games playing their best defense of the season. “We knew that if we stuck with our principles and executed it with more urgency and intensity that we would come away with the win. Details are important but so is urgency and aggressiveness”, warned Kelvin Omojola. The title was part of the team and great coach Stephan Dohrn as both came together from day 1 and created a great team chemistry and just worked together until the end of the final. “I’ve never been on a team before where literally every single guy liked one another. Guys hung out all the time after practice, got food together, and it showed on the court. We held one another accountable and didn’t get offended by it. Plus, it made coming to work fun every day. It all starts with coach. I firmly believe that every team is a DIRECT reflection of the coach. Stephan is not only great coach, but an even better person. He held guys accountable, made practices tough but fun, and is very easy to talk too on and off the court. He helped build the great chemistry and culture that our team had. He instilled in us our defense principles and by the time the playoffs rolled around, we were executing it at a high level. It all starts with him”, added Kelvin Omojola.
The ex Red Deer (JUCO) guard who lists Swiss army knife Lagui Diallo as the team´s most improved player was the captain and playmaker of the team, but also had great teammates that he helped guide every game. Two German who were instrumental in the success of the Dragons was Tyreese Blunt who was the motor and always had that unbelievable focus and drive to win and Badu Buck who might have been a bit in Blunt´s shadow, but held the team together at all times. “Tyreese is such a great player. His energy, shot making, athleticism, defense, tenacity, I could go on and on. He’s a dog and I LOVED having him on my team. I knew he was never afraid of any moment or competition and that kind of attitude is infectious! We needed him and we wouldn’t have won the championship without him! Badu is such a great player Miles, I cannot emphasize that enough. He was the glue guy for our team. Badu is so selfless that it can be easy to look past him but his shot making, leadership, and high IQ play may have been under appreciated by people outside the organization. Not to me. I told him literally every other week, “Badu, you’re going to be the reason why we win a championship.” He was the X factor for our team, and just like with Tyreese, without Badu there’s no way we win the championship”, warned Kelvin Omojola. Another key figure in the team success was Texas native Avery Sullivan who had already won 2 chips in Albania and was the defensive anchor and also contributed double doubles when needed. “Avery had a great season Miles. Even the championship game, he may not have scored a lot but his presence was felt! His defense especially. Avery being a Swiss Army knife on offense and defense made our team that much more dangerous. Especially when we were able to add Ferenc Gille, Avery was able to play the 4 position and create space on the perimeter offensively. While at the same time, continue being that defense anchor that we needed”, commented Kelvin Omojola. 2 other big pieces to the success were young Germans 17 year old Janne Muller and 18 year old Marko Rosic. Muller had the killer instinct and played years past his age while Rosic was like an aggressive pit bull who always gave efficient minutes at both ends of the floor. “Janne is a great player Miles, him being so good so young. He has a great head on his shoulders and I pray he gets to the highest level possible! But I’ll always cherish his confidence yet humbleness. Janne is a walking 2 points, yet never acted like he was too good for anything and was always willing to listen or ask questions. I love Marko. He’s a DOG and competes at the highest level. He’s a great player, his IQ is amazing, and his confidence just grew more and more as the season went on! As good as Marko is, he’s always trying to learn and get better. I told him from Day 1, that if he sees something on the court, let me know! His IQ is that high and I always had confidence in him and his playmaking abilities”, expressed Kelvin Omojola.
The ex Northwest University (NAIA) player who listed Branden Maughmer of Rostock as his toughest cover this season because he was a super skilled player with a high IQ that was fun playing against in the playoffs had a super third professional season with the Dragons Rhondorf averaging 12/3/6/1 stats. His scoring may have been a bit down from his Pro B rookie season with Speyer, but for him the assists is what counted most and of course the chip. “ I enjoyed my season this year stat wise Miles. I was 2nd in the league in assists, team captain, led our team to the #1 seed, and ended the season winning the championship. I always said, I would much rather have a game with 4 points and 9 assists and we win versus having 20 and 6 assist and we lose”, said Kelvin Omojola. He scored in double figures 27 times and had 6 double doubles and logically had a few favorite games. “Either Game 3 vs. Wolmirstedt or Game 2 of the finals at Köln. Wolmirstedt was a GREAT team and to have 20 and 10 assists in a win or go home game was incredible. But also to have 20 points, 9 rebounds, & 7 assists in a championship game was awesome too. Especially because that was the final game of the year, and I wanted to go out giving my all”, said Kelvin Omojola. When you have a team that has great team chemistry generated early and like each other, then it makes being a leader so much easier. “ It was great Miles, to be the team captain & starting PG of a championship team? That’s a dream come true. My leadership skills did grow, especially in things like patience and remaining positive in negative situations. It wasn’t perfect by any means but I know there was major progression”, added Kelvin Omojola. His defense was also an important part of his game. It was apparent his game grew having to match up against real dogs like Blunt, Buck and Rosic each day
“You had to bring your A game every day in practice! Not only do you not want to get embarrassed, but as a team leader you set the tone for everyone. If you’re slacking or being lazy, other guys see it and will do the same thing”, remembered Kelvin Omojola. This summer as always will be the time to continue to grind in the lab and he knows exactly what areas will be highest on his menu. “I need to get my 3 point percentage back up which I will. I’ll definitely be working on it this summer. Watching more film to grow my knowledge of the game. I want to be the best player I can be and the mental aspect of the game is what will help me continue to grow as a player and a leader”, stressed Kelvin Omojola. So what is the next step for him? After not getting a real chance with PS Karlsruhe last season, I personally would like to see him in the Pro A and he agrees. “Definitely Miles. I want to keep growing and evolving as a player, and I believe I can have a big role on a ProA team. But I’ll be wherever God leads me”, warned Kelvin Omojola. I had a special journalist/commentator relationship with him this season and I won´t forget it. “It was always nice to see you Miles almost every home game! To have you commentate most of our home games this season was great. You do a great job commentating and have great interviews/articles about the German basketball scene. What I enjoy most about you is that you’re a good person; treating myself, my family, my teammates, and others with respect and appreciation. I’ve told you before Miles but thank you for all you do”, stressed Kelvin Omojola. I remember seeing him light up my other living room in Frankfurt with Speyer exploding for 31 points 2 years ago and it was a pleasure seeing him play so much more this season with the Dragons Rhondorf. I have a favorite interview partner every season with the teams I cover and he was it. He was the complete package on the court with his energetic game at both ends and in interviews always had interesting things to say. After this title season, he definitely deserves another chance in the Pro A. But how refreshing it is that he and the Dragons Organization agreed on 2 more years. That makes me happy, because I can see him ball again next season. Let´s Go Kelvin for another unforgettable season in 2024-2025.
It seems like Luka Doncic is for real. Can he win it all for Dallas over Boston?
Luka leads the way for the Mavs but in my opinion why Dallas is playing better now is because the entire team is playing at a high level. It’s not just the Luka show, but rather the Mavs playing great team basketball. They can beat Boston but it won’t be easy.
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