Kerem Koçer '19 Recruiting Profile

My name is Kerem Kocer, and I am studying at Wayland Academy High School in Beaver Dam, WI. I'm a native Turkish player, and I have started playing basketball at the age of 5. Since my first practice, basketball became crucial in my life. I played in a team called Besiktas, which is one of the best basketball teams in Turkey, and I am honored to be the captain of the team for nine years in a row. My team and I have been successful both in the body of our sports club and nationwide. Because of the current political unrest in Turkey and the high-quality education provided in Wayland, my parents and I moved to the United States two years ago. As a point guard, I believe that keeping up with challenging academics increases my quick-thinking, agility in understanding and reacting, and my practicality, hence, helps me become a better player. I also think that sharing our passion for basketball on the court and playing in a team teach us to be responsible, punctual, and thoughtful, both for our own and the team’s good. As I briefly mentioned earlier, I chose to go to Wayland Academy because it has got an excellent academic program and a decent athletic program. For the past two years, with the help of my family, I have overcome the hardship of immigrating and adapting to a new environment. While trying to get to know the colorful people and culture that surrounded me as soon as I arrived at school, I managed to keep my GPA high and received many personal trophies for my outstanding involvement in the school’s athletic teams. My goal in life is to become a professional basketball player and graduate successfully from a prestigious college because I believe that having a successful career in both basketball and academics will make me satisfied and happy.