Keonte Kennedy has a reputation of being one of the top shooters in the 2018 recruiting class. Kennedy has upheld that reputation by shooting 45% from deep through two EYBL sessions. Despite being known as a great shooter, Kennedy is looking to prove that he is much more.
The 6’4 guard from Westlake High School is very confident in his shooting ability. Kennedy believes that he is versatile in scoring the ball, and isn’t just a catch and shoot player.
“I like to push the ball up the floor first and look for transition, but if that’s not there pull it out and be able to execute a play,” Kennedy said. “I can shoot lights out. I say I’m the best shooter in the country in the 2018 class. I’m not only a shooter, I’m a scorer. I can score the ball at all levels and I can handle the ball at the point, making me a combo guard.”
The first session of the EYBL circuit didn’t go according to plan for Kennedy. However, the second session brought the results that Kennedy hoped for.
“The first session wasn’t very good,” he said. “I played very tense and wasn’t aggressive. The second session was great. I played like myself, released stress, and just played basketball the way I know how.”
The Florida Gators have been a program that has caught Kennedy’s interest throughout the recruiting process so far. The fast pace style of the gators and the coaching staff are two factors that have stood out to Kennedy.
“I love the coaching staff at UF,” Kennedy said. “They are young, energetic, and do a great job preparing the athletes. Florida’s playing style is ideal for me; I feel I could fit right in. I feel like my game translates perfect into their system. Florida’s recruiting pitch has been their new facilities and the family environment.”
The latest teams to offer Kennedy are Louisiana Tech, Wofford, UT Arlington, Tulsa, VCU, and Virginia Tech. Kennedy says that there are seven schools that are coming after him the hardest.
“Virginia Tech, Texas Tech, Bulter, Tulane, Tulsa, VCU and Virginia are recruiting me the hardest,” he said. “Others are involved but those are the teams that contact me the most right now.”
Coach [Dusty] May is the Florida assistant who is leading the recruitment for Kennedy. Kennedy doesn’t hold an offer from Florida, but would love to see that change. Kennedy and his teammates on Team Pro Skills(TX) will be back in action May12th-14th in Atlanta for EYBL session 3.