WBB: Ke’Shunan James’ journey from Murray State to Slovakia

Ke’Shunan James, a member of Murray State Hall of Fame who played for the Racers from 2014 to 2018, has been dominating in Slovakia for the past three years, winning three consecutive championships. Last season, she reached new heights, earning several accolades including Finals MVP, Player of the Year, and making the All-Slovakia First Team. Playing for Piešťanské Čajky, she averaged impressive stats of 18.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 3.0 steals per game. We caught up with her to discuss her career, basketball in Slovakia, and her future plans.

Courtesy of Team United (@teamunitedproam) via X/Twitter.

First Love

Softball was Ke’Shunan’s first love, inspired by her mom who played the sport. However, she transitioned to basketball because she saw more opportunities for growth and success in the sport.

Basketball Culture in Tennessee

Growing up, the basketball culture in Tennessee was different, where playing was a personal choice rather than a widespread activity.

High School Ball and Committing to Murray State

High school ball was enjoyable for Ke’Shunan, and her coach played a crucial role in guiding her towards college basketball. Committing to Murray State was a pivotal moment for her career.

OVC Freshman of the Year

Being the OVC Freshman of the Year brought challenges as Ke’Shunan felt isolated and had to push herself to succeed despite limited support from teammates.

Leading the OVC in Scoring

Despite leading the OVC in scoring, Ke’Shunan remained focused on continuous improvement and setting higher goals for herself.

Senior Season Accolades

Ke’Shunan believed she deserved more recognition during her junior year, but winning the OVC player of the year award in her senior season was a satisfying achievement.

Confidence in Abilities

Ke’Shunan credits her confidence to her parents, who instilled in her the value of hard work and self-belief from a young age.

Playing Across Different Countries

Reflecting on her experiences in Greece, Mexico, and Ukraine, Ke’Shunan enjoyed different aspects of each country but found satisfaction in her journey.

Moving to Slovakia

Ke’Shunan took a chance moving to Slovakia and achieved remarkable success, becoming a triple champion in her new home.

Image courtesy of Lukáš Droppan.

Overcoming Injuries and Winning Championships

Despite a challenging knee injury in the 2021-22 season, Ke’Shunan persevered with the support of her club Čajky and helped secure a historic championship title.

Reflecting on Success

The recent season’s victory was particularly rewarding for Ke’Shunan, especially in the face of skepticism from others, proving her resilience and determination.

Mutual Trust with the Club

Ke’Shunan emphasizes the importance of prioritizing her career and the strong bond of trust she shares with her club in Slovakia.

Future Aspirations

Ke’Shunan is content with her current career trajectory but remains open to opportunities such as playing in the WNBA if they arise, while staying focused on continual growth and success.