Kyion Flanders, Business Studies
Kyion Flanders hopes his days playing basketball won’t end after he graduates from Stockton with a degree in Business Studies.
The two-time New Jersey Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year wants to play in a professional league overseas.
“Growing up as a kid, I always wanted to be able to travel the world,” said the Wildwood native. “The opportunity to play overseas gives me the chance to do so and get paid to play the sport I love.”
Many of his favorite college memories come from his time as an Osprey leading Stockton to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Division III Tournament the last two seasons. He said being a student-athlete gave him a unique opportunity that not every student experiences.
“I was able to accomplish a lot for this program during my time here. But I think I speak for most athletes when I say being a student-athlete isn’t easy. Often you may feel like there are no breaks,” he said. “But I was able to balance myself between school and hoops, and I couldn’t have chosen a better school and program to do that with.”
That doesn’t mean it was easy to juggle athletics and academics as Flanders said he often took four or more classes during the basketball season, which starts during the fall semester and extends into March depending on how well the team performs.
“I love basketball and everything that comes with it, but there was rarely a time I could relax and stay up on my work,” he said. “I knew if I didn’t do well in class, I wouldn’t be able to hoop, so I worked even harder in class.”
But he said the desire to play forced him to learn how to plan and become more organized.
“Once I had everything planned out, school became a lot easier and smoother to cope with while playing basketball,” Flanders said.
I was able to accomplish a lot for this program during my time here. But I think I speak for most athletes when I say being a student-athlete isn’t easy... I was able to balance myself between school and hoops, and I couldn’t have chosen a better school and program to do that with.”
And the friendships he developed from the basketball team he hopes will last him the rest of his life.
“I have had the best experience I could have at Stockton, and it wouldn’t be possible without the teammates I came across,” he said. “Now I have friends who I know will have great futures ahead of them.”
If playing basketball doesn’t work out, Flanders still wants to be involved with the game, maybe as a college assistant coach. But he also has another plan after basketball.
“I plan on using my Stockton degree to eventually open my own restaurant,” he said. “I would strongly consider myself a foodie, and on top of that I like to cook myself. If there were specific foods I would sell, the top of the list would be soul food, seafood and barbecue.”
