Feature image via: Sports Imagery
After a historic first season in the NBL1, KJ Feagin is back with the Knox Raiders to defend his titles, only this time with even more motivation up his sleeve.
The 6’1” guard out of California made history in the 2023 season, as he helped lead his Knox Raiders to the NBL1 South title in an instant classic game.
He then went on to have an unprecedented run during the National Finals, taking his team of seven players through the first two games, winning in overtime against the Sutherland Sharks to enter the Championship Game.
Against the defending National Champions, the Rockingham Flames, Feagin scored 27 points with nine assists and three steals to conquer the nation – and was named the Championship Game MVP in the process.
THE MVP RETURNS ?
— NBL1 (@NBL1) December 22, 2023
NBL1 National Champion and Championship Game MVP KJ Feagin is BACK for 2024 ?
More: https://t.co/XvV2JxCZuN pic.twitter.com/SqmOFJbaCp
After his first month back in Australia, he sat down with NBL Media to discuss last season’s success, and what the 2024 campaign has in store for the Raiders.
“I think it didn't hit us until I got home from the trip, or even when I got back from Melbourne United’s preseason. That's when I finally could take a deep breath and really realise what I did,” Feagin said on winning the NBL1 National Championship.
“We were a little upset because we couldn't properly celebrate what we did. Looking back on it, those are the moments that you live for as a team, you know?”
“You're living in a moment, you don't even realise greatness is happening. Aussi (Rapp) became a man that day, Bailey (Nunn) became a man way before that game. He picked us up in the second half of the season and played out of his mind.
“We all came together for one common goal, it's something that I'll hold close to me forever.”
The Raiders have a massive target on their back, as the conference and national champions, and Feagin is welcoming the challenge.
“I think it's clear as day, you know what it is. People are coming after us and I love it, we love it,” he said.
“I know we'll get everybody's best shot and I think the competition level has risen already. As you’ve seen the rosters this year, teams are stacking up. It's a Knox tax that has happened. So, we're excited. We're ready. And just as you’ll get your best shot, you're getting our best. We'll see who the better man is at the end of the season.”
However, the 2023 roster will feature a new set of players alongside Feagin. With Nunn and eventually Rapp departing for college, the team have brought in South East Melbourne Phoenix big man Anzac Rissetto and Melbourne United forward Kyle Bowen.
While the captain of the team said the roster is different, he still expects his Raiders to win.
“We're a completely different team than last year. We had a lot of size last year and I think we are bringing back a lot of (new) size,” he said.
“But I think we're a better shooting team this year, I think you'll see a different vibe from us coming off last year, but I expect nothing less of us.
“I expect us to repeat and go get nationals as well.”
Many import athletes will spend one season at a club and move on to their next team. But KJ Feagin said that the community have embraced him, and it has allowed him to play his best basketball.
“I played my best professional basketball here, up to this point,” he said.
“The family atmosphere at Knox… I have a group of people around me here at Knox that believe in me. Not just at the NBL1 level, but at the NBL level. This is a real community outside of just the senior team.
“My coaches and all my teammates believe that I’m an NBL-level guard. So, it puts me in a state of peace and comfort to where I can play my best basketball.
“When I started last year, I was putting a lot of pressure on myself and I wasn't able to go out there and have fun and be relaxed.
“I just know that I have the right people around me, I have the right belief system and I'm in the right place mentally and personally to where I feel like this could be a fruitful situation for me.”
The Knox Raiders start their season on Wednesday night in a Grand Final rematch against the Sandringham Sabres. Watch the double-header Live and Free from 6:00pm AEDT via Kayo Freebies.
