MIAMI, Fla. - His resume during high school is long, varied and impressive and today he'll finish at the peak by playing a big role in the 32nd annual McDonald's All-American game at BankUnited Center.
He won a Class 6A state championship in 2006, back-to-back AAU Junior National championships starting in 2007 and numerous individual awards, all before his senior year of high school.
Kenny Boynton flies in for a dunk at Tuesday's practice.
Photo courtesy of McDonald's
But when Kenny Boynton Jr. sums up just how he excelled, his explanation is short, concise and to the point.
“Hard work, dedication and faith,” he said..
The standout from Pompano Beach has been the Florida high school basketball spokesman for for the last four years. After today, he'll take his game to new heights and represent the Sunshine State on the collegiate level after signing a letter of intent to play for the University of Florida.
“It was one of the hardest decisions ever,” Boynton.said “But I’m glad I chose Florida, They were always at the top of my list.”
The 6-foot-3, 187-pound shooting guard established himself as a prominent player in south Florida after leading his Pompano Beach middle school team to the Broward County championship as a seventh grader.
Not long after his first championship, the rising star joined Team Breakdown, a Fort Lauderdale-based AAU program that helped propel him as a prominent player throughout the nation.
Boynton, 14 at the time, wowed college coaches, recruiters and his peers after posting 45 points at a Reebok tournament game in Las Vegas. He also became the youngest player to garner all-tournament honors.
Beyond the points and awards, experts noted his rare skill and feel for the game at such a young age.
By the end of ninth grade, Boynton had received 20 recruiting letters a day. His father, Kenny Boynton Sr., a former standout at Bethune Cookman, and mother Dana knew the recruiting circus was coming to town.
“The recruiting process was crazy,” Boynton said. “But one thing I’m thankful for was having my parents involved from beginning to end. There are a lot of great players in my position. Without that kind of help, it would be very easy for someone to make a mistake in choosing a school. I signed to play for Florida, but it was a family-based decision and, with that, I know I made the right choice.”
As a sophomore, Boynton led Pompano Blanche Ely High School to the Class 6A state title and was named state tournament MVP.
He produced one of the most amazing seasons in state history by averaging 29.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.8 steals per game, while capturing the Florida Dairy Farmers Class 6A Player of the Year award.
Before his junior season, Boynton’s parents decided to take him out of Ely. Much like his choice to go to Florida, the Boyntons took their time, did their research and let Kenny decide where he would finish his last two seasons. He picked American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.).
“After a long process, me and my parents decided that American Heritage was the best school for me,” said Boynton. “I love Ely, but we decided that the move to Heritage would help me get better on the basketball court and in the classroom.”
As if the bar wasn’t set high enough.
Boynton helped Team Breakdown capture the AAU Junior National Championship that summer. His play throughout the tournament helped solidify his status as one of the country’s most prolific scorers.
While most top-tier players from around the country reported back to their respective schools after competing amongst the nation’s best, Boynton returned to south Florida unsure of what was to become of his new environment.
While his surrounding might have changed, his game and success on the court did not. Boynton rose to the occasion by bringing his championship attitude and scoring abilities to Heritage.
In only his 10th game at Heritage, Boynton scored a City of Palms Classic scoring record with 61 points in an 88-71 win over Dunbar.
Boynton continued his dominance and led Florida in scoring for the second consecutive season averaging 34.5 points per game, while also being named to the Parade All-American team.
He took the Patriots all the way to the regional semifinal before they lost to, eventual and current Class 3A champion, Pine Crest 90-76 and its All-American guard Brandon Knight.
That summer, Boynton, along with Knight, helped Team Breakdown capture a second consecutive national title. The two quickly developed a reputation as the best backcourt tandem in the country.
On Tuesday, Knight was named the National Player of the Year by Gatorade.
Boynton called Knight and congratulated him on Tuesday right after the East team's scrimmage.
"That was a cool thing to do," Knight said. "I really appreciated it. But that's the kind of person Kenny is. He's not only a great player, but a great friend."
After averaging 34 pointers per game, along with 7.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists, Boynton is now the state's No. 3 career scorer at 3,367.
Not only was he picked as one of the 24 top players in the country by McDonald's, but is also a finalist for the Naismith Player of the Year award given to the nation’s top high school player.
“This definitely ranks No. 1 in my career,” Boynton said. “Being named to the McDonald’s team and being around some of the top high school basketball players in the country is truly a blessing. The fact that the game is being played in Miami is a plus. It’s a great end to my high school career.”
Boynton said his faith and family have kept him grounded and humble, The poise and patience that his parents taught him while helping him chose a school are the same characteristics he exercises on the court and class room.
The Pompano native has been through an exciting, but tiring, development process and will take the lessons he learned with him to the next level.
