Basketball alum relishes opportunities to volunteer in his ‘second home’

Keshun Sherrill graduated from Augusta University in 2017 and has been traveling the world continuing his basketball career ever since.

Since graduating, he’s played in the Netherlands, Turkey, Italy and Mexico and has enjoyed everything about each of his experiences from learning about different cultures to expanding his knowledge about the game of basketball because you “learn something different at each level you play,” Sherrill said.

At the conclusion of every season, he heads back to the United States to relax during the summer before the next season begins. One commitment he always marks on his calendar is helping his former coach, Dip Metress, with his summer camp, which was held this past June at Christenberry Fieldhouse, the same arena where Sherrill left his mark on the program.

“I’ll text him when we finalize the camp dates and whatever country he’s in, he always replies ‘Gotcha,’” Metress said. “He’s been gone now seven years, and, when we see him, it’s like he’s never been gone. He has a great personality and is a great person.

“He’s the best worker. He’s on the Mount Rushmore of those I’ve coached,” continued Metress. “He comes down here every year, and he enjoys it. We catch up and spend each afternoon talking. He was raised by a great family and has unbelievable priorities. As good of a player as he was, he’s a better person.”

Traveling and playing overseas is fun, Sherrill said, but he cherishes his opportunities to volunteer for his alma mater.

“I’ve been doing this camp every summer since I started playing,” said Sherrill. “This is something that I really look forward to, helping the kids learn and expand their knowledge of basketball. But then also just talking to Coach – he’s a great guy – and then also seeing my jersey hanging in the rafters; that’s kind of a cool feeling, as well.”

Sherrill, originally from Cleveland, North Carolina, considers Augusta his second home. He attended AU from 2012-17, and, after redshirting his freshman year, he started 26 of the Jaguars’ 32 games during the 2013-14 season. At the end of that season, he was named the Peach Belt Conference Freshman of the Year and AU’s Male Freshman of the Year.

“It’s a great feeling that I don’t take for granted because not everyone gets this opportunity. I guess that’s why it means a lot to me, as well. Coach is a great guy, and his wife and daughter are tremendous. I am very fortunate for them to always open their door for me whenever I needed them.”

Keshun Sherrill on being a Jaguars alumnus

He received many other accolades during his career, including NCAA Southeast Region Player of the Year and the PBC Player of the Year his senior season, while also being named an All-American four years in a row.

Sherrill remains the program’s all-time leading scorer with 2,333 points and had his No. 10 jersey retired after his senior season. Metress introduces his players during the first day of camp, and, while no extra fanfare is made, the children in attendance hear his name and look up in the rafters and quickly realize who is coaching them.

“He always says I played for him, and he might mention that my jersey is in the rafters, but usually the kids hear my name and put two-and-two together,” Sherrill said. “They ask me about it afterward, but he keeps cool about it.”

Metress said he appreciates all of his players coming back to help with the camp when they can while noting it gives them a chance to see him “in a different light.” Sherrill enjoys every chance to give back to the Augusta community and interact with the campers since the city and AU have meant a great deal to him over the years.

“It feels great because I was wearing similar shoes to those campers,” Sherrill said. “My high school coach had a basketball camp every summer that I would just love to go to, and I remember his former players being there and teaching me the game. For me to be able to come back to a university that I attended and graduated from and to teach the kids that are the future generation, it’s a huge blessing.”

Sherrill takes pride in being an alumnus and representing the Jaguars wherever he goes in his world travels. Coaching in the camp is his way of repaying Metress and his family for all they did for him during his time in Augusta.

“It’s a great feeling that I don’t take for granted because not everyone gets this opportunity,” said Sherrill. “I guess that’s why it means a lot to me, as well. Coach is a great guy, and his wife and daughter are tremendous. I am very fortunate for them to always open their door for me whenever I needed them.”