Gwynedd Valley, Pa. – (11/19/2025) – Gwynedd Mercy University Head Men's Basketball Coach Darnell "Speedy" Artis '16 is pleased to welcome Kevin Burwell II as an assistant on his staff for the 2025-2026 season. "Kevin and I grew up in the same neighborhood," said Coach Artis. "Coming from the seventh most dangerous zip code in all of Philadelphia; where we're from, if you take the game seriously it can take you places. His deep basketball pedigree will be of high value for our program." A Philadelphia native, Coach Burwell's basketball journey began at Germantown High School and Imhotep Charter, where he helped secure a District 12 Championship before competing as a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I student-athlete at Mississippi Valley State University.

"Great players are made not by talent alone, but by discipline, vision, and the will to lift others up. I'm here for the last three," said Coach Burwell. At Mississippi Valley State University, Burwell was named to the 2011-2012 All-SWAC Third Team before leading the Delta Devils to the 2011-2012 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Men's Basketball Championship and a subsequent NCAA Men's Basketball Championship Tournament appearance. Mississippi Valley State University also won the SWAC Championship in Burwell's junior campaign (2010-2011). He finished his collegiate career as one of the program's all-time leaders in assists.

Following college, Burwell transitioned to a successful professional career that spanned the United States, Europe (FIBA Europe Cup), and the Middle East. His global experiences included stops in Spain, Bosnia, Kosovo (All-Kosovo Second Team, Salamander Super Cup), and Lebanon, before bringing him to the American Professional Basketball League (APBL). Back in the States, Burwell was named All-APBL First Team and earned the league's Most Valuable Player (MVP) honors while guiding the South Jersey Thunder to an undefeated championship season.

Throughout his playing career, Burwell has been known for his vision, court awareness, and ability to elevate the performance of those around him. He carried those same qualities to his coaching career, now dedicated to developing student-athletes' skills, discipline, and basketball IQ. Drawing on his international experience and proven record as a leader, he is committed to mentoring players to reach their full potential both on and off the court.