So last year, when Kennard considered attaching his name to a youth basketball camp, he thought about holding it in North Carolina, where he played two seasons at Duke University, or Detroit, where he plays for the Detroit Pistons. He also, of course, considered his hometown area.
He remembered his upbringing, and the support his received from his family, friends and Wildcats fans, and that “shot everything else down.”
Kennard, 22, chose to hold his camp near Franklin, and on Wednesday, he announced an expanded second year for his summer youth basketball camp.
“Being able to impact the people I impacted when I was here,” Kennard said when asked why he selected Franklin over those larger cities. “Kids that looked up to me. I want to give back to them.”
The camp will be held July 19-21 at Camp Chautauqua in Miamisburg, and is open to boys and girls entering grades four through eight in the 2019-2020 school year. Cost is $300 and registration ends July 1.
The Luke Kennard Overnight Basketball Camp will be able to register more participants for two nights and three days of a professional basketball camp experience.
Throughout the camp, Kennard and WTNO coaches will offer tips and hands-on instruction, including lectures, fundamental basketball skills stations, contests, and games in a high-energy, fun, and positive environment, he said.
He hopes campers “have a good time and develop memories.”
Campers will be placed in small groups by age to ensure each child gets maximum instruction. The camp will be staffed by some of Southwest Ohio’s top high school basketball coaches and Premier Health athletic trainers, it was announced at the press conference.
“We are excited to continue our partnership with Luke,” said Dr. Keith Bricking, president of Atrium. “Luke’s commitment to his hometown is a natural fit with Atrium’s mission of improving the health of the communities we serve.”
WTNO Director Brian Bales, who also serves as the head boys basketball coach and athletic director at Franklin High School, talked about Kennard basketball accomplishments: Two-time Ohio Gatorade Basketball Player of the Year and was named the Parade National Player of the Year his senior season; standout player for two seasons at Duke, then he was drafted by Detroit Pistons with the 12th overall pick.
“He’s a better person than a player,” Bales said.
Kennard said he grew as a basketball player this year though the start of his season was slowed by a shoulder injury that cost him 16 games. He played in 63 games, shot .438 from the field, .394 from 3-point range and averaged 9.7 points per game, more than two points higher than his rookie season.
He was rewarded for his strong play when the Detroit exercised its team option Oct. 30, 2018. Kennard made $2.7 million as a rookie, and $3.2 million this season. His salary is expected to reach $3.8 million next season and $5.2 million in the 2020-21 season if Detroit picks up its option.
The Pistons finished the regular season 41-41 and qualified for the playoffs for the first time in three seasons, but they were swept by the No. 1 seed Milwaukee Bucks.
Kennard averaged 15 points in the playoffs and said he “had a good run there. Wasn’t the ending we wanted, but it was a good way to end the season.”
Luke Kennard career NBA statistics
Season, Games, FG%, 3 Pt.%, Scoring Average
2017-18, 73, .443, .415, 7.6
2018-19, 63, .438, .394, 9.7
Career, 136, .441, .403, 8.6
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