Reebok Top 25 Most Dynamic Athletes: Luke Kennard

Mark Kennard has unlimited minutes on his cell phone plan. That’s definitely a good thing considering the amount of attention his son, Luke Kennard, has received this summer.

"Otherwise I would be in trouble," Mark said.

Luke Kennard, the Franklin (Ohio) junior shooting guard, has seen his college recruiting dial up quite considerably these summer months.

He shined in front of big-time college programs at the Peach Jam in Georgia in July, rebounding well on both ends of the floor and showing deceptive defensive ability. The 6-foot-5 standout has seen his offer list grow significantly.



"The Peach Jam set him over the top," Mark said. "Luke played really well."

Luke’s basketball offers include Duke, Kentucky, North Carolina (his most recent, on July 30), Michigan State, Louisville, West Virginia, Ohio State, Michigan, Indiana, Dayton, Xavier and Florida.

That's certainly an elite list. If he chooses to reject all of them, he can always take advantage of a football offer from Louisville. The quarterback is likely to pick up many more offers soon as well.

See our special Luke Kennard photo gallery

Or, he could say no to them all and still get into an elite university. Kennard is ranked fourth in his class and has a 4.3 GPA.

College hoops coaches like his relentless effort and mentality as a team player. Franklin basketball coach Brian Bales said Kennard received comparisons to the likes of Tayshaun Prince, Pete Maravich and J.J. Redick.



"I'm just honored and blessed to coach him," said Bales, who is in his sixth season at Franklin. "It's been really fun."

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Hometown: Franklin, Ohio (11,000 population)

School: Franklin High School (enrollment about 800)

Class: 2015

Sports: Basketball (shooting guard), football (quarterback)

College plans: Kennard would like to make a decision probably near the end of his junior year but nothing is definite yet. He says he has a list of about 10 schools narrowed down. He isn't ruling out either sport at this point.



Favorite pro athlete: Kevin Durant. There is a photo of Durant in the background of Kennard's Twitter account (@kennard_luke). "I just like the way he plays. He can do it all. He can drive, score and shoot. He is a team player," he said.

Future career: If not for athletics, Kennard said he would like to consider a career in broadcasting. He met Jay Bilas at the LeBron James Skills Academy in Las Vegas this summer.

Snack food: Strawberry Pop Tarts are his favorite and he can be found eating those while working in the school athletic office during the year.

Family connection: Luke's father Mark, a 1981 Franklin graduate, was a standout high school basketball player.

Coach speak: "Just a phenomenal talent in anything he does. In football, basketball, (in baseball) as a shortstop, he could be a scratch golfer. Whatever you want him to do he could probably do it."
– Franklin football coach Rodney Roberts
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Kennard also has a football offer to play quarterback at Louisville. Others could offer but are waiting to see what his future holds in each respective sport, according to his Franklin coaches.

This fall, Kennard will again be the team’s starting quarterback after he lit up defenses on the field last season in helping to lead Franklin to a 10-2 record.



"He's got some real moxy," Franklin football coach Rodney Roberts said. "He never gets rattled. He’s so emotionally mature."

Roberts said Kennard’s arm strength has improved and his understanding of the game has grown. Seniors looked to him for leadership as a sophomore and that will be more pronounced this season.

"He makes a lot of sacrifices," Roberts said. "He is all over the country. He doesn’t get to be a normal kid a lot."

No one should ever doubt how serious Kennard is about improving each day, Roberts said.

"He’s the ultra competitor," Roberts said. "If you and him were walking down the hall to go to the bathroom he will beat you and get done peeing before you."

Roberts, who has coached high school football for 18 years and is also the school’s athletic director, said Kennard is a naturally gifted athlete who has handled all the early success in stride.



"I told a reporter from Kentucky you could walk the hallways (at Franklin) and not one person would say a bad word about him," said Roberts, who has known Kennard since he was born and lives in the same neighborhood as the family.

Kennard earned Ohio Division II honorable mention honors in football in 2012 after he threw for 1,880 yards and 24 touchdowns as a sophomore. He says he can’t wait to begin the football season.

"I just like Friday night. There is nothing like that," Kennard said. "Just being able to play in front of a big crowd, nothing beats it. I have a lot of fun doing that."

Roberts admits he’s not just a coach and athletic director, but a fan of the 2015 standout, and marvels at what he has accomplished already and his potential the next two years.

"And here's the thing. The final chapters haven't been written yet," Roberts said.

Franklin opens the season against Carlisle Aug. 31 at Centerville High School (8:30 p.m. kickoff) as part of the Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown.
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While Kennard says his list of basketball offers is narrowed to about 10 schools, his father said this week his son’s college recruiting on whether the future is football or basketball is "still totally up in the air." But, Mark added, "I think he favors basketball."



Bales said Kennard wants No. 1 a good education and No. 2 a good fit into that particular college program regarding their 2014 and 2015 classes. He also wants to feel comfortable with the coaching staff. Bales said Kennard’s goal is to play in the NBA.

Kennard averaged 27.1 points on the floor as a sophomore last season, which broke the school mark for single-season scoring average held by Mark, a 1981 Franklin graduate (26.6 ppg.). He also set school records with the most points in a season (624) and most free throws made (135) – also milestones held by his father.

Bales said it was at the Peach Jam that North Carolina coach Roy Williams, Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski and Kentucky coach John Calipari saw Kennard for the first time in person. It's where Kennard put everything together and his team made it to the final four of the tournament.

"They think he is really special," Bales said. "A lot of people are intrigued by him. He could play the 2 or 3 and possibly the 1 in the right fit."

Kennard, who is eight points away from 1,000 for his career, earned MaxPreps Sophomore All-American second team honors last season. He was also the Associated Press Division II State co-Player of the Year. His high school career high for a single game is 43 points.

As a freshman he led his high school team to a 20-0 regular season for the first time in school history and averaged 17 points, eight rebounds and five assists.



Kennard, who also participated in the LeBron James Skills Academy in Las Vegas this summer, said he’s been working on getting to the basket and improving his post moves. He said he was a little surprised by the amount of attention he received this summer but has enjoyed the experience.

"I worked very hard and I am glad I got them," he said. "…It's very exciting talking to some of the top college coaches in America. I have been very blessed with it."
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Roberts said Kennard’s stature at Franklin speaks volumes. Ticket sales and interest in football and basketball games have increased. Extra bleachers and extra security are the norm as folks fill the seats to get a glimpse of one of the nation's top two-sport phenoms.

"This community has just embraced him," Roberts said. "Luke is a phenomenal athlete. He is a once-in-a-lifetime talent. He’s brought an undeniable notoriety to the school."

Kennard's parents remain humble in that extra spotlight and have taken measures to ensure it remains a positive experience for their son. It can easily get to be too much pressure for some families.

Mark asks college coaches to first call him before speaking with Luke. Mark also kindly asks the media to go through him for interview requests.

"It’s going great," Mark said. "There have been a lot of write-ups. Everybody has been really respectful."
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