Luke Kennard (basketball)

Luke Douglas Kennard (born June 24, 1996) is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Duke Blue Devils.

Luke Kennard
No. 5 – Los Angeles Clippers
PositionShooting guard
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (1996-06-24) June 24, 1996
Middletown, Ohio
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Listed weight206 lb (93 kg)
Career information
High schoolFranklin
(Franklin, Ohio)
CollegeDuke (2015–2017)
NBA draft2017 / Round: 1 / Pick: 12th overall
Selected by the Detroit Pistons
Playing career2017–present
Career history
2017–2020Detroit Pistons
2017–2018→Grand Rapids Drive
2020–presentLos Angeles Clippers
Career highlights and awards
Stats  at NBA.com
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  United States
FIBA Americas U18 Championship
2014 United States National team

High school career

Kennard attended Franklin High School in Franklin, Ohio near Dayton. As a senior, he was named the Parade National Player of the Year. He was named the Ohio Gatorade Basketball Player of the Year as junior and senior. He was also a star quarterback in football, and though he shot with his left hand in basketball, he threw with his right hand in football.[1]

Finishing high school, Kennard was one of the most sought recruits in the nation.[2][3] He was ranked as the No. 24 prospect in his recruiting class by ESPN.[4] Kennard committed to Duke University to play college basketball during his junior year of high school.[5][6][7] He finished his career with the second most points in Ohio history, three spots ahead of LeBron James.[1][8] He was a McDonald's All-American selection.[5]

In 2020, it was announced that Franklin High would retire Kennard's number 10.[9]

College career

Freshman season (2015–2016)

In practice, he frequently matched up against Duke guard Grayson Allen.[5]

On January 6, 2016, Luke scored 23 points in a 91–75 win over Wake Forest.[10] On February 6, 2016, Kennard tallied 26 points in an 88–80 win over NC State.[11] As a freshman at Duke, Kennard averaged 11.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game.[12][13]

Sophomore season (2016–2017)

On November 29, 2016, he scored 20 points in a 78–69 win against Michigan State in ACC–Big Ten Challenge.[14] On December 3, 2016, Kennard scored 35 points in a 94–55 win over Maine.[15] On January 28, 2017, Kennard scored 34 points in an 85–83 win over Wake Forest.[16] On February 11, 2017, Kennard tailed 25 points in a 64–62 victory over Clemson.[17] On March 3, 2017, Luke scored 20 points in a 79–72 victory over Clemson in the second round [18] and scored 24 points in an 81–77 win against Louisville in the quarterfinals of the 2017 ACC Tournament.[19] On March 10, 2017, Kennard scored 20 points in a 93–83 win over rival North Carolina in the semifinals.[20] On March 11, 2017, Kennard tallied 16 points in a 75–69 win against Notre Dame in the ACC Championship game.[21]

During his sophomore year, Luke averaged 19.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. He led the team both from the three-point range with 43.8% and free throw line at 85.6%. As a sophomore, he was named first team All-ACC and second-team All-American.[22][23]

He finished 1-6 from the field and fouled out in Duke's second round loss to South Carolina in the NCAA tournament.[24] His reaction to the final foul call against him quickly turned into a meme.[25][26]

At the conclusion of his sophomore season, Kennard announced that he would forgo his final two years of collegiate eligibility and enter the 2017 NBA draft.[27] He joined Duke teammates Jayson Tatum and Harry Giles in declaring early for the draft.[28]

Professional career

Detroit Pistons (2017–2020)
Kennard with the Pistons in 2019

2017–18 season

On June 22, 2017, Kennard was drafted 12th overall by the Detroit Pistons in the 2017 NBA draft.[29]

He made his NBA debut on October 20, 2017, against the Washington Wizards,[30] scoring 11 points and recording 2 steals in 18 minutes.[31] Kennard started his first NBA game on December 15, 2017, after Avery Bradley suffered a groin injury, scoring 9 points with 5 rebounds and 4 assists in a win against the Indiana Pacers.[32][33] Kennard recorded his first career double-double on January 24, 2018, with 10 points and 10 rebounds.[34][35] On April 11, 2018, Kennard recorded a former career-high 23 points in a 119–87 victory over the Chicago Bulls.[36]

2018–19 season

In July 2018, the Pistons announced that Kennard suffered a left knee strain and would miss the 2018 NBA Summer League.[37] On October 26, 2018, Kennard suffered a sprain of the AC joint in his right shoulder and would be out for at least two weeks. On December 10, 2018, he recorded a career-high 28 points in a 116–102 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. On April 10, 2019, Kennard recorded 27 points in the last game of the regular season, in a 115–89 win over the New York Knicks.[38]

2019–20 season

On October 23, 2019, Kennard scored 30 points and 3 rebounds in a 119–110 win over the Indiana Pacers.[39] The season was Kennard's first as a full-time starter for the Pistons, but it was cut short after 28 games due to bilateral knee tendinitis and, subsequently, the suspension of the season due to COVID-19.[40][41]

Los Angeles Clippers (2020–present)

On November 19, 2020, Kennard was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers in a three-team trade.[42]

Personal life

Kennard briefly dated reality TV star Savannah Chrisley.[43]

Kennard knows all of the words to the Disney movie Frozen.[44]

Kennard participated in protests in Detroit against police violence and racism in June 2020 alongside Pistons teammates and coach Dwane Casey.[45]

Career statistics
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

Regular season
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2017–18 Detroit 73920.0.443.415.8552.41.7.6.27.6
2018–19 Detroit 601022.8.438.394.8362.91.8.4.29.7
2019–20 Detroit 282532.9.442.399.8933.54.1.4.215.8
Career 1644423.3.441.402.8632.82.2.5.29.8

Playoffs
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2019 Detroit 4233.3.489.600.8334.01.8.8.315.0
Career 4233.3.489.600.8334.01.8.8.315.0

College
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2015–16 Duke 361126.7.421.320.8893.61.5.9.211.8
2016–17 Duke 373635.5.489.438.8565.12.5.8.419.5
Career 734731.1.455.379.8734.42.0.9.315.7

References
  1. "Duke men's basketball 2016-17 player review: Luke Kennard". The Chronicle. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
  2. Franklin's Luke Kennard named Gatorade Player of the Year
  3. Luke Kennard named Gatorade Ohio Player of the Year
  4. "2015 guard Luke Kennard commits to Duke basketball". The Chronicle. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
  5. "Duke basketball 2015-16 player preview: Luke Kennard". The Chronicle. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
  6. Luke Kennard commits to Duke
  7. Luke Kennard commits to Duke
  8. No. 18 Franklin falls; Luke Kennard finishes No. 2 in scoring in Ohio history
  9. Richter, Ed (October 28, 2020). "Franklin honoring all-time great Luke Kennard with number retirement". Dayton Daily News.
  10. "Allen, Plumlee lead No.14 Duke past Wake Forest, 91–75". ESPN.com. ESPN. January 6, 2016. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
  11. "Allen, Kennard lead Duke past NC State, 88–80". ESPN.com. Associated Press. February 6, 2016. Retrieved February 6, 2016.
  12. 19.1 PPG 2.3 RBG 4.5 ASG AS A JUNIOR Franklin’s Kennard elevating his game with Blue Devils
  13. Luke Kennard has been one of few sure things for Duke
  14. "Allen leads No.5 Duke past Michigan State 78–69". ESPN.com. Associated Press. November 29, 2016. Retrieved November 30, 2016.
  15. "No.5 Duke beats Maine 94–55 without 2 starting guards". ESPN.com. Associated Press. December 3, 2016. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  16. "Kennard Sinks WF with Late 3, Scores 34 in 85–83 Win". Duke Athletics. January 28, 2017. Retrieved February 6, 2017.
  17. "Kennard, No.18 Duke hold on to beat Clemson 64–62". ESPN.com. Associated Press. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
  18. "Tatum, Kennard, Jackson Each score 20 in 79–72 Win". Duke Athletics. March 3, 2017. Retrieved March 3, 2017.
  19. "Tatum, Allen lead Duke comeback vs Louisville, 81–77". ESPN.com. Associated Press. March 9, 2017. Retrieved March 9, 2017.
  20. "No.14 Duke races past No.6 UNC 93–83 in ACC semifinals". ESPN.com. Associated Press. March 10, 2017. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
  21. "Duke downs Notre Dame to become first 4–in–4 ACC champion". ESPN.com. ESPN. March 11, 2017. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
  22. "ACC Announces All-Conference Team, Postseason Awards". theacc.com. Atlantic Coast Conference. Retrieved March 5, 2017.
  23. "Duke men's basketball 2016-17 player review: Luke Kennard". The Chronicle. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
  24. "SOUTH CAROLINA STUNNER: Gamecocks overwhelm Duke men's basketball in Round of 32 upset". The Chronicle. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
  25. "The Internet Can't Stop Laughing at This March Madness Meme". Time. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
  26. Baumann, Michael (March 20, 2017). "For One Night, South Carolina Basketball Is the Toast of the Nation". The Ringer. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
  27. Scott Gleeson (April 6, 2017). "Duke's Luke Kennard declares for NBA draft, hires an agent". usatoday.com. Retrieved April 6, 2017.
  28. "Luke Kennard declares for NBA Draft after standout sophomore campaign". The Chronicle. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
  29. Ellis, Vince (June 22, 2017). "Pistons take Duke's Luke Kennard with 12th overall pick in 2017 NBA draft". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
  30. "Luke Kennard scores in double figures in NBA debut". journal-news. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
  31. "Detroit Pistons at Washington Wizards Box Score, October 20, 2017". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
  32. "Pistons' Luke Kennard: Starting at shooting guard Friday". CBSSports.com. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
  33. "Detroit Pistons at Indiana Pacers Box Score, December 15, 2017". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
  34. "Luke Kennard posts first career double-double in OT loss to Jazz". FantasyPros. January 25, 2018. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
  35. "Utah Jazz at Detroit Pistons Box Score, January 24, 2018". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
  36. "Role of Pistons' Luke Kennard could expand under Dwane Casey". MLive.com. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
  37. Zucker, Joseph. "Pistons' Luke Kennard out for Rest of NBA Summer League Due to Knee Injury". Bleacher Report. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
  38. "Pistons' Kennard diagnosed with right shoulder sprain". NBA.com. October 26, 2018. Retrieved October 26, 2018.
  39. "Andre Drummond helps Pistons beat Pacers in opener". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
  40. II, Omari Sankofa. "After injury, Luke Kennard is in the 'best shape' of his career, playing more point guard". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
  41. II, Omari Sankofa. "Now 100% healthy, Detroit Pistons' Luke Kennard has big goals for next season". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
  42. "LA Clippers Acquire Kennard, Patton, Scrubb and Four Second-Round Picks In Three-Team Deal". NBA.com. November 19, 2020.
  43. "Former Blue Devil Luke Kennard is dating reality TV star Savannah Chrisley". The Chronicle. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
  44. Kay, Stanley. "Luke Kennard apparently knows every word from 'Frozen'". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
  45. II, Omari Sankofa. "Detroit Pistons coaches, players to march at police headquarters Thursday to back protests". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
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