Kennedy Ready to Step In & Step Up

After sitting out an entire season, Keonte Kennedy is ready to suit up in a UTEP uniform and help lead the Miners into the 2020-21 season.

Kennedy, a transfer from Xavier, is more than excited to step onto the hardwood again and begin his career as a UTEP Miner.

“I can’t wait. I have a different pep in my step,” Kennedy said. “It’s been over a year since I played, so I’m really excited to get back on the court with my new teammates and form new bonds. Coach O (Arturo Ormond) mentioned that in the first weeks he saw a new pep in my step. I’m ready for the season to start.”

The 6-5 guard played his high school ball at Westlake High School in Austin, Texas. After a season playing at Xavier in 201819, Kennedy decided to make a change and return to the Lone Star State to don the Orange and Blue. He chose UTEP for a specific reason as the player-coach relationship is important to him.

“Coach [Rodney] Terry was why I chose UTEP,” Kennedy said. “He’s a good friend of my high school coach, so I already had a relationship with him. It made my transition easier going through the transfer situation.”

Kennedy wanted to jump on the Terry train, knowing that coach will push him to be a better basketball player and all-around person. “No matter what, he’s going to push me just like he pushes everyone else,” Kennedy said. “He wants us to be the best players and people we can be. I know how much determination he has. It’s a passion for him, as well as for me.”

Men’s basketball student-athletes who transfer from Division I school to another have to sit out the following season per NCAA rules. It’s a difficult decision for these student-athletes to make, knowing that they’ll have to sit out, but understanding it’s a small price to pay to play in a desired program. Kennedy made the best of the situation and explained the advantages of redshirting.

“Redshirting is beneficial, especially if you use it the right way,” Kennedy said. “I spent a lot of time in the weight room to get bigger and stronger. I had a full year to learn the playbook, and adjusting to a whole new system. Sitting out is a good thing if you take the right steps like watching a lot of film. It helps if you want to be great.”

Kennedy took full advantage during his redshirt season. “I worked on getting stronger in the weight room and being more comfortable with the ball in my hands,” he said. “I want to be a true combo guard and get us into our sets. Coming off ball screens and making shots are two of my biggest areas of emphasis.”

Last year’s squad won 17 games, while the Miners chalked up their first winning campaign in four seasons. UTEP also advanced to its first Conference USA Tournament in two years. However, the aspiration is to take that next step, which is winning 20-plus games, winning a conference title and playing in the Big Dance. Kennedy, along with eight other new faces, will add to the talent level in order for the team to achieve those goals.

“One of coach Terry’s goals is to be one of the best defensive teams in the country,” Kennedy said. “For us to improve, we need to shoot the ball well and keep defending hard. Having high- IQ players will also lead to less turnovers.”

Kennedy was born to play basketball. His mother, Sommer Shaunte Carter, and father, Kez DeMun Kennedy, played basketball at the collegiate level. Kennedy also looked up to one of the greatest basketball players of all-time after he started to hoop at age four.

“Since I was little, I’ve always been into basketball. I love the history and have always been a student of the game,” Kennedy said. “Michael Jordan was always my favorite player. When I was younger, I used to write Michael Jordan with a Sharpie on everything. My parents used to get so mad at me.”

Kennedy added that he watched ‘The Last Dance’ three times. He’s tried to emulate his game after current NBA stars being a student of the game.

“I’ve always liked players that have my build and skill set,” he added. “I like players like Jamal Crawford and Caris LeVert. I feel like I can mimic their game, playing on and off the ball.” Kennedy wore #21 while redshirting, but was able to acquire his desired jersey number for the upcoming campaign.

“I wanted to wear the number three,” Kennedy said. “Initially growing up, I was number 23, being a Michael Jordan guy. Going into high school, I wanted to switch it up, and I fell in love with three. I like players like Dwyane Wade and Allen Iverson, and I was a three-point shooter in high school.” Miner fans will have the opportunity to watch Kennedy as the redshirt sophomore has three years remaining of eligibility.

Fun Fact about Keonte: “I’m a big sneaker head. I’m into shoes. I probably have the most shoes of any guy on the team. My shoe game is crazy. If I had to pick one shoe, that’s tough. I like the Jordan 3s, Jordan 10s, Jordan 11s, but if I HAD to pick one shoe, it would be the Jordan 11s Cool Grey.”