The first years
His name is Kevin Ricki Larsen. Date of birth says 17th. of July, 1993. His name doesn’t ring a bell in the consciousness of many Danes, as he left his home in the early years of his career to experience the American college life. A country which brings sports to another level compared to Danish standards.
He’s born and raised in the center of Copenhagen, where he lived with his mother and brother. At first basketball wasn’t his favourite sport. He played soccer like most Danish boys. Actually his interest in basketball began in his mid teenage years and not even on his own initiative.
“I started playing basketball at the age of 15. At first I played soccer, but in the winter we only got one practice a week, so my mom feared I would play to much Playstation, so instead she took me to the local basketball club Stevnsgade. They had this day, where all kids could come and play, and my mom signed me in.”
“In an early stage I found out, that basketball was the thing I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I played it every day with my friends and worked hard to get better.”
Arena of GWU.
Kevin played three years at Stevnsgade until he left to join Værløse. He never played a single game as a senior before moving to Montrose Christian High School. Therefore he’s wondering about playing in Denmark at the end of his career.
“Hopefully one day I move back to Denmark and can play in Stevnsgade. I feel like I owe them something. Me and my friends sometimes make jokes about playing together in Stevnsgade when our careers is almost over.”
As a basketball player at a high level you often become a role model. That’s familiar to Kevin as he have had a few role models himself.
“Outside the court my role models are my mom and my brother. They’ve always told me to work hard and do my best. I’ve seen them doing it themselves. On the court my role models are Dwight Howard, Paul Milsap and Draymond Green.”
Omvæltninger kræver tid
Kevin left home in an early stage of his life to chase his dream of getting a basketball career. He chose Montrose Christian High School as his next destination.
“I chose Montrose because of their history and coach Stu Vetter. Furthermore some of their previous players have made it to the NBA, and in generel they got a reputaion of sending players to D-1 colleges.”
“It was pretty rough at the beginning. I was, and still am, a mama’s boy. I’ve never been seperated from either my mom or my brother for more than two weeks. So it was definitely a hard time, but luckely I found my place to be.”
“It’s still hard though to see all your friends on Facebook having a good time at home and you can’t be a part of it, or when I’m on Skype with the family Christmas Night and see the whole family together. But that’s just some sacrifices you have to make to achieve your goals. Luckely I got a good family and some great friends that keeps contact with me.”
Kevin is popular in Washington
Even though it was hard to move away from home in an early age, Kevin wouldn’t have been without his year in high school.
“When I think back I have some valuable memories that puts a smile on my lips when I think of them. The greatest experience was definitely to win the national championship and to get the ring. Another great thing was to beat Findley Prep who at the time had three upcoming NBA-players (Anthony Bennett, Nick Johnson og Myck Kabongo).”
When changes mean something
After high school Kevin had to choose a college. He chose George Washington University, where he’s at his 4th. year representing GW Colonials.
“Most days at college look at lot the same. I spend around 3 hours in school and one hour in study hall. So it’s not that hard as people think. I wouldn’t say I have a normal college life because I use so much time on playing basketball, but college life rules. You meet a lot of new people with different backgrounds and it’s a special feeling.”
“When I don’t play there’s a lot of stuff to do. It’s like a little society where it feels like you know everybody. The big difference between Denmark and USA is that in Denmark basketball doesn’t have anything to do with school. In USA you have to get decent grades to get to play. In Denmark you can just play.”
“Our coaches have put together a schedule we have to follow. School comes first. It’s not your own choice. But it has been a good thing to me. I’ve always had enough freedom to get things done, so it works for me.””
Kevin got the right mentality, but it has been necessary to be ready from day one.
“When I first got to GWU I was more worried about school than playing basketball. Every day was very serious but I got some great people around me like my friends, teachers and coaches to help me, so the transition was pretty smooth. I felt I was ready to play college basket, and we got a new coach that focused on the new guys, so that helped me a lot.”
“I also had my american family close to me and that helped me a lot. They were there for me when I needed to talk with someone or just get a home cooked meal. I also hang out with my friend Søren Døssing a lot. He started at West Virginia Wesleyan College so we weren’t very far from each other.”
Kevin on the match post before the NIT-finale
The positive pressure
Denmark haven’t had any players good enough to play in NBA. Christian Drejer and Chris Christoffersen were close but no cigar. Few players have made it to the NCAA and Kevin Larsen is one of those few. His team didn’t make it to the finals, but last night they won the NIT-final. The NIT is for those teams who don’t make it to the playoffs. Kevin was leading scorer and was announced as the game’s MVP afterwards.
“We have played at the highest level while I’ve been here. We have beaten three teams who were ranked top 25 (Creighton, Virginia and Wichita State). In this season we were ranked as no. 21 of all college teams, so we have made it to the top.”
“I’ve heard from my coaches that some NBA-teams have shown interest in me. My plan is to get invited for try-outs and play in the NBA Summer League and hopefully get a minimum contract in the NBA. If I don’t achieve that Europe is my next goal.”
You experience a lot on a college basketball team. That’s something to tell about, says Kevin.
“I was at Justin Andersons (former teammate at Montrose) draft party in 2015. That was pretty awesome. Many of our games have been shown on ESPN. I got selected as MVP in a tournament at Hawaii. I got selected as MIP in the A10 tournament. And finally I was “third team all conference player” in my freshmen year.”
Holidays are not just for relaxation
When school is over and summertime comes some players are going home to visit family and friends while others stay at college. It’s important to practice during summer to get back almost more fit than you left. Otherwise you can lose your spot at the team. Kevin is well prepared when it comes to holidays.
A tribute to the players
“In the summer I train a lot. Both basket and strenght. College is pretty quiet during the summer so my focus lays on getting better. Our coaches give us a strenght programme to follow but when it comes to the part of playing basket we are on our own.”
“It’s different from college to college how long you get to go home. On my college we can leave for about a month. From the end of May and all of June.”
You should think that the players have had enough of basketball all year but some players go back to their home country to play for the national team. Kevin has played a lot of national youth games and he’s right now a part of the Danish national team.
“It’s an honour to get to play for your country. It’s something I’ll never get too old to do. I’ve been that lucky to play at several European Championships and that’s something I’m proud of. It’s fun and I keep learning when I play against other good players. I have some great memories and have had a lot of fun with both players and coaches.”
George Washington University has kindly accepted to let us use their photos.
