University of Minnesota Athletics
Photo by: Brace Hemmelgarn
Q/A With Joey Kern
12/19/2021 8:52:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Joey Kern joined the Gophers after a three-year stint at Johns Hopkins. Hailing from Norwalk, Iowa, Kern played three years at Johns Hopkins where he saw action in 84 career games and 81 starts. He ranked 11th in JHU history in three-point percentage (.396), seventh in three-pointers (167), sixth in three-point attempts (422), 16th in steals (100) and 15th in minutes played (2,440). Kern received a bachelor's degree from Johns Hopkins in electrical engineering and is now working on his master's degree at Minnesota. Get to know Kern in this recent question/answer session.Â
Walk us through how you landed here at Minnesota?
I played four years at the Division III level and my senior year got canceled because of COVID-19. So I had an extra year. I've always dreamed of playing at the Division I level and it built from there. Being close to home, playing in the Big Ten, it was grand idea for me. I primarily was connected with Coach (Dave) Thorson and what my role here could be and what it would look like. I wanted to make sure I'd get something out of the academic side and then talked to coach Johnson after that.
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What's the experience been like for you so far and how have liked the University of Minnesota?
It's been great. One thing I've noticed coming from a different areas and different schools, you learn more about the area and their experiences. It's great to keep learning and growing. That's not even including basketball. I feel like I've grown as a basketball player as well, but it's been great so far.
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Johns Hopkins did not compete last year due to COVID-19. What did you have to do to keep in shape or what did you do to stay focused on basketball?
It was pretty tough. I stayed at school in Baltimore during the school year, but nearly everything was shut down. Johns Hopkins is a medical school and had to be on the front lines of medical safety and precautions. There weren't many gyms open. My roommates and I were all basketball players so we had to throw a bunch of weights in our unfinished basement. So it was a little cardio and lift, but that's about it. Just had to keep in shape, just in case we did end up having a season.
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Since being with the team since this summer, what have you learned from this group of coaches already this season?
On the floor, they've taught me to be more aggressive. I've never been a guy who handled the ball that much, I was more of a shooter. It's been great to go deeper into my skill set there. Off the court, they've made me a better leader. Being able to talk to coaches after practice and help me see what alumni are doing within their businesses. It's been cool to learn about Minnesota and Minneapolis. That stems from the coaching staff.
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What goals do you have for both yourself individually and as a team this year?
I came in wanting to prove that I can play with guys at this level. It doesn't matter what that looks like, just being here has been cool. I want to continue to prove that every day. As a team, I think we can do a lot better than people think we can in the Big Ten. It would be exciting to see how we can do and prove some doubters wrong.
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You've gotten to experience Williams Arena now as a player. Talk about the atmosphere or what it's like to play there.
It's like nothing else to play in front of a crowd that big. Especially at home when they are cheering for you, there's no better feeling. You're a little nervous at first, but once you settle in and realize it's pretty easy and a lot more fun.
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Being from the Midwest have you had any family that's been able to attend?
My mom and dad have come to a bunch of games, in fact I don't know if my mom has even missed one. My sister lives in California and she was here for Thanksgiving so was able to come to that. I've even had a couple friends come and visit. It's been pretty good to see them.
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You're getting your master's degree, what is it in and what do you want to do after college?
I graduated from Johns Hopkins in electrical engineering and computer science major. I came to Minnesota and I'm getting a master's degree in business analytics. I had an opportunity with Draft Kings as a business analyst prior to playing basketball at Minnesota. That's been postponed, but looking to get into that again and hoping to land a job at Draft Kings in a different role.
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Are you into video games like the rest of the team or what do you like to do in your free time?
I might lead the pack in video games. Either myself or Isaiah (Ihnen). The new Call of Duty came out and that's what I've been playing for a really long time and I hope to stream and have people enjoy watching me play. I don't play it for fun as much, I actually want to be really good at Call of Duty.
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Walk us through how you landed here at Minnesota?
I played four years at the Division III level and my senior year got canceled because of COVID-19. So I had an extra year. I've always dreamed of playing at the Division I level and it built from there. Being close to home, playing in the Big Ten, it was grand idea for me. I primarily was connected with Coach (Dave) Thorson and what my role here could be and what it would look like. I wanted to make sure I'd get something out of the academic side and then talked to coach Johnson after that.
Â
What's the experience been like for you so far and how have liked the University of Minnesota?
It's been great. One thing I've noticed coming from a different areas and different schools, you learn more about the area and their experiences. It's great to keep learning and growing. That's not even including basketball. I feel like I've grown as a basketball player as well, but it's been great so far.
Â
Johns Hopkins did not compete last year due to COVID-19. What did you have to do to keep in shape or what did you do to stay focused on basketball?
It was pretty tough. I stayed at school in Baltimore during the school year, but nearly everything was shut down. Johns Hopkins is a medical school and had to be on the front lines of medical safety and precautions. There weren't many gyms open. My roommates and I were all basketball players so we had to throw a bunch of weights in our unfinished basement. So it was a little cardio and lift, but that's about it. Just had to keep in shape, just in case we did end up having a season.
Â
Since being with the team since this summer, what have you learned from this group of coaches already this season?
On the floor, they've taught me to be more aggressive. I've never been a guy who handled the ball that much, I was more of a shooter. It's been great to go deeper into my skill set there. Off the court, they've made me a better leader. Being able to talk to coaches after practice and help me see what alumni are doing within their businesses. It's been cool to learn about Minnesota and Minneapolis. That stems from the coaching staff.
Â
What goals do you have for both yourself individually and as a team this year?
I came in wanting to prove that I can play with guys at this level. It doesn't matter what that looks like, just being here has been cool. I want to continue to prove that every day. As a team, I think we can do a lot better than people think we can in the Big Ten. It would be exciting to see how we can do and prove some doubters wrong.
Â
You've gotten to experience Williams Arena now as a player. Talk about the atmosphere or what it's like to play there.
It's like nothing else to play in front of a crowd that big. Especially at home when they are cheering for you, there's no better feeling. You're a little nervous at first, but once you settle in and realize it's pretty easy and a lot more fun.
Â
Being from the Midwest have you had any family that's been able to attend?
My mom and dad have come to a bunch of games, in fact I don't know if my mom has even missed one. My sister lives in California and she was here for Thanksgiving so was able to come to that. I've even had a couple friends come and visit. It's been pretty good to see them.
Â
You're getting your master's degree, what is it in and what do you want to do after college?
I graduated from Johns Hopkins in electrical engineering and computer science major. I came to Minnesota and I'm getting a master's degree in business analytics. I had an opportunity with Draft Kings as a business analyst prior to playing basketball at Minnesota. That's been postponed, but looking to get into that again and hoping to land a job at Draft Kings in a different role.
Â
Are you into video games like the rest of the team or what do you like to do in your free time?
I might lead the pack in video games. Either myself or Isaiah (Ihnen). The new Call of Duty came out and that's what I've been playing for a really long time and I hope to stream and have people enjoy watching me play. I don't play it for fun as much, I actually want to be really good at Call of Duty.
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