Beyond the Player: Kinnon LaRose

Photo by Héctor Gutiérrez

Last Thanksgiving, I met Officer Brady at Bryant Park in New York City. He approached me with the sole reason of asking me a question.

Do you know Kinnon LaRose, the Sacred Heart basketball player?”

I shook my head.

He put both hands on his waist and said.

Well, you should. He’s the greatest guy in the world.”

I can’t say I’m a huge basketball fan, but after meeting Kinnon, it’s hard not to get excited about the game.

Ogdensburg, New York is as hard to find on a map as it is to spell. Forty minutes away from the Canadian border, this small town prides itself in their commitment to help others succeed. While small, Ogdensburg is welcoming, loving, and supportive. Kinnon’s family, particularly his dad, hold very active roles in the town, all fueled by the purpose of making it a better place for others.

About fifty years ago, Kinnon’s grandfather left his hectic life in New York City for small town America. In Ogdensburg, he started a legacy of passion for service in the form of a boys and girls’ club. Naturally, the combination of sports and helping the community became the epicenter of the LaRose family. But even when Kinnon had a choice when it came to playing a sport, his family’s strong ties to basketball drew him to the game.

After hearing about the LaRose family, I’m not surprised Kinnon is described as selfless by others. They devote most of their time to helping the less fortunate youth learn the values and principles of good people–all through sports.

Whenever the topic of family comes up–and it does several times–our conversation adopts a lighthearted mood. Because everyone in Ogdensburg considers each other family, I find myself losing track of the various people that Kinnon credits for his accomplishments, but one stands out among them all.

The person who has influenced me the most is definitely my dad. He always says to my brothers and me, ‘hungry and humble.’ Which means to always want more in basketball, and in life, and to be humble about it. It means to keep your head down. He says the world works better that way.”

In the three years Kinnon has played college ball, Mr. LaRose has only missed three games; and that was just because of the weather. Near or far, he has made it to every game he can and Kinnon is happy to know that if he needs some encouragement during a game, all he has to do is look to the sidelines.

All things considered, Kinnon is certain about one thing.

Whatever I do, even if it’s not basketball, I know he will be there to support me.”

Our conversation drifts back to Ogdensburg and its people several times, which tells me how much of who Kinnon is was shaped by the place he grew up in. “If you were raised there, you were raised to be tough.”

After graduating high school, Kinnon followed his basketball aspirations to Siena College, where he played for a year. While Siena did not work out, Kinnon is happy for the experiences. The school allowed him to see a different level of basketball, which included playing against one of the best teams in the nation, Duke.

Having a personal connection to Sacred Heart in the shape of his aunt and brother, Kinnon transferred his sophomore year to the small Catholic college in Connecticut.

Wherever God puts you, it’s where you’re meant to be. You just gotta figure out your why.”

And this especially rings true now. Sacred Heart is currently better ranked than Siena, and despite finishing the season earlier than he wishes, Kinnon should be proud of the impact he’s had on his team. After all, he was chosen captain for a reason, and there’s not doubt everyone agrees that he’s earned it.

My mind brings me back to the Saturday afternoon when I discovered an unexpected thrill for the game of basketball. Kinnon’s jump shot found the hoop more times than I can remember, but the most striking quality of his unique style lies on his demeanor.

Attentive. Poised. Serene.

Mainly fueled by smooth three pointers from the man himself, the Sacred Heart team catches up to their adversaries, needing only two more points for the win. Fans are standing up from their seats, chanting prayers of hope onto the court as the clock reaches single digits. After a missed shot by the opposing team, SHU regains possession of the ball and the crowd goes wild. As Cameron Parker flies down the court toward the opposing side, Kinnon positions himself just outside of the paint.

From there, everything happens in slow motion.

Parker gets away with passing the ball, one handed, to where Kinnon is standing. And after a quick switch of his hands to satisfy a unique superstition, Kinnon shoots.

As soon as I let it go, I knew I would miss. But knowing didn’t make it any less disappointing.”

He recounts while rewinding the video of his shot from that day over and over again.

The final buzzer was only overpowered by the air of defeat that invaded the court. Kinnon crouched to his knees and covered his face with his hands, but before the opposing team even had a chance to celebrate, he’s back up and gravitating toward his teammates.

Photo by Héctor Gutiérrez

In spite of the sour look on his face, Kinnon puts on a comforting smile and consoles the rest of the team. The fans vacate the Pitt Center, and soon enough, the arena, once filled with excitement, becomes the quietest place on campus.

I’m not sure he remembers, but before leaving the court for the locker room, I see Kinnon stop, then glance at the spot where he had just stood with the fate of the game in his hands, and physically shakes it off.

After years of playing and watching collegiate sports, I have never seen a more powerful moment take place.

Photo by Héctor Gutiérrez

It’s been a week since the game, and Kinnon sits in the athletic center with my phone in his hands, watching the video on repeat.

Though, this time with a smile.

We were sitting in the locker room, everybody was dead silent, and I was the last one to get in there. And I was like ‘Listen up, guys. We just gotta learn from our losses. There’s no more home win streak for us, and we kinda just gotta learn from it, and it’s okay to lose. You move on, and just get ready for the next game.’ ”

Raised around sports, athleticism oozes out of the newly elected captain. Yet, his skills on the court are not an accident. Kinnon is as methodical as he is deliberate in the way he answers my questions. He has a process for things, and believes religiously in the concept of repetition. Even when his workout regime has been hindered by a herniated disk, his movements in the gym and on the court are all driven by purpose.

Basketball is like a religion. If you’re not practicing, if you’re not shooting, if you’re not doing your conditioning, or getting into the weight room, you’re gonna fall behind.”

Photo by Héctor Gutiérrez

To be honest, it’s ironic Kinnon compares basketball to religion because sometime toward the end of our interview, I become convinced that we’re living in the bible chapter where Jesus comes back to the world, and his new name is Kinnon LaRose. And as much as I know he would hate to hear that, a part of me thinks that anyone who knows him would agree with me.

Yet, all kidding aside, I’ve never met a more rounded athlete who recognizes the sacrifices that come with sport, but considers them to be blessings.

As we wrap up, Kinnon admits that some things will never change.

Contact sports have always benefited the intimidating, nasty, and rough athletes. It’s part of their unique culture. Yet, Kinnon’s character won’t be broken down by expectations, people, or himself. Yet, witnessing the values Kinnon brings into the court and the game, I’m certain about a new truth:

In life, good guys will always win.

When I show Kinnon the picture I took with Officer Brady–a beacon of Ogdensburg familiarity in camouflage uniform–he smiles and says,

He’s the greatest guy in the world.”

And if you think that doesn’t sum up Kinnon LaRose as the humble, hard working, and selfless guy he is, then you should stop by a game and see it for yourself.

Photo by Héctor Gutiérrez