From Blue Devil to NBA Sharpshooter: The College Career of Luke Kennard

Luke Douglas Kennard, born on June 24, 1996, is an American professional basketball player currently playing for the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Before his NBA career, Kennard made a name for himself playing college basketball for the Duke Blue Devils. This article delves into Kennard's college career, highlighting his achievements, contributions, and the impact he made during his time at Duke University.

Early Life and High School Career

Luke Kennard was raised in Franklin, Ohio, where his passion for basketball began at a young age. His father, Mark Kennard, a former college basketball player, introduced him to the sport. Kennard attended Franklin High School, where he excelled in basketball and football. He was a three-year letter winner as a quarterback in football.

During his high school basketball career, Kennard earned numerous accolades. In his senior year, he was named the Parade National Player of the Year. He was a two-time Ohio Mr. Basketball winner in 2014 and 2015, receiving the award unanimously in his senior season after averaging 38.1 points, 9.7 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 2.2 steals per game, leading Franklin to a 26-2 record. Additionally, he was selected as the Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year for both his junior and senior seasons, highlighted by his junior-year averages of 41 points, 10.4 rebounds, four assists, and two steals per game while shooting over 50% from the field.

Kennard was also named a 2015 McDonald's All-American, where he won the three-point contest, and he committed to Duke University during his junior year. ESPN ranked him as one of the top recruits in the nation. In recognition of his contributions, Franklin High School retired Kennard's No.

Recruitment and Commitment to Duke

Finishing high school, Kennard was one of the most sought-after recruits in the nation. He ultimately chose to commit to Duke University, a decision influenced by the program's culture and the opportunity to play under Coach K. Kennard felt a connection with the program and believed it was the right fit for his development as a player.

Read also: Kuechly's Collegiate Legacy

College Career at Duke University (2015-2017)

Luke Kennard played two seasons at Duke University, appearing in 73 games with 47 starts over 2,275 minutes. His time with the Blue Devils showcased his scoring ability, shooting prowess, and overall contribution to the team.

Freshman Season (2015-2016)

In his debut college campaign, Kennard adapted quickly to the high-level competition, appearing in all 36 games while earning 11 starts and logging 26.7 minutes per contest on average. He contributed 11.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game, showcasing his scoring versatility as a perimeter shooter and efficient finisher inside the arc. Kennard had standout performances in key ACC victories that underscored his growing impact.

Sophomore Season (2016-2017)

In his sophomore season with the Duke Blue Devils during the 2016-2017 campaign, Luke Kennard emerged as a primary scoring option, starting in 36 of 37 games and averaging 35.5 minutes per contest. As a sophomore, Kennard started 36 of 37 games, averaging 35.5 minutes and leading the team with 19.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game.

Kennard delivered several standout performances, including 20 points against Michigan State on November 29, 2016; a career-high 35 points on 11-of-16 shooting versus Maine on December 3, 2016; 34 points in a win over Wake Forest on January 28, 2017; and 25 points against Clemson on February 11, 2017.

Despite Duke's strong run to the NCAA Tournament as a No. 1 seed, Kennard's second-round performance against South Carolina on March 19, 2017, was a low point, as he went 1-for-6 from the field, fouled out, and contributed to a 88-81 upset loss that sparked a viral meme from his frustrated reaction on the bench.

College Statistics

Luke Kennard's statistics at Duke University reflect his growth and impact as a player:

Appeared in 73 games (47 starts)
Averaged 15.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 31.2 minutes per game
Shot 46.2% from the field, 38.3% from 3-point range, and 86.7% from the free throw line

NBA Career

After two seasons at Duke, Luke Kennard declared for the NBA draft. He was selected by the Detroit Pistons with the 12th overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft. Since then, he has played for the Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, and Atlanta Hawks before joining the Los Angeles Lakers.

Detroit Pistons (2017-2020)

Kennard's NBA journey began with the Detroit Pistons, who selected him as the 12th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. He signed a multi-year contract with the Pistons on July 1, 2017. In his rookie season (2017-18), he appeared in 73 games (nine starts) and averaged 7.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 20.0 minutes.

In his second season (2018-19), Kennard competed in 63 games (10 starts) and averaged 9.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 22.8 minutes. On December 10, 2018, he recorded a career-high 28 points in a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.

During the 2019-20 season, Kennard appeared in 28 games (25 starts) and averaged 15.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists in 32.9 minutes. He set career highs for points per game, rebounds per game, assists per game, and minutes per game. On October 23, 2019, he netted a career-high 30 points off the bench in the season opener against the Indiana Pacers.

Los Angeles Clippers (2020-2023)

On November 19, 2020, Kennard was traded to the LA Clippers. On December 21, 2020, he signed a multi-year contract extension with the Clippers. In the 2020-21 season, he competed in 63 games (17 starts) and averaged 8.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 19.6 minutes.

During the 2021-22 season, Kennard emerged as a key bench contributor, playing in 70 games and averaging 11.9 points per game with a league-leading 44.9% three-point shooting percentage. On January 25, 2022, he was fouled while shooting a three-pointer and made the shot as well as the free throw, which propelled the Clippers to a win over the Washington Wizards.

Memphis Grizzlies (2023-2024)

On February 9, 2023, Kennard was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies. He made his Grizzlies debut on February 12, 2023, recording four points and two rebounds in a loss to the Boston Celtics. On March 24, Kennard scored a career-high tying 30 points in a win over the Houston Rockets.

In the 2023 playoffs, Kennard contributed in the Grizzlies' first-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers, playing all five games and averaging 7.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 21.4 minutes, shooting 50.0% from three.

The 2023-24 season saw him in 39 games with an increased starting role in 22, averaging 11.0 points, 2.9 rebounds, and a team-leading 3.5 assists among guards in 25.6 minutes, though his three-point percentage dipped to 45.0%.

Atlanta Hawks (2024-2026)

On July 8, 2025, Kennard was traded to the Atlanta Hawks. In Atlanta, Kennard has primarily served as a rotational player off the bench behind starters like Trae Young, focusing on providing volume three-point shooting to complement the team's pick-and-roll heavy offense. Kennard averaged 7.9 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game in 46 appearances during the 2025-26 season with the Hawks, leading the NBA with a 49.7% three-point shooting percentage.

Los Angeles Lakers (2026-Present)

On February 6, 2026, Kennard was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.

NBA Career Statistics

Throughout his NBA career, Luke Kennard has consistently demonstrated his shooting ability and offensive skills. Here's an overview of his regular season statistics:

Seven-year NBA veteran
Appeared in 395 games (110 starts)
Averaged 10.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 23.3 minutes
Shot 45.4% from the field, 43.9% from 3-point range, and 87.9% from the free throw line
Has scored in double figures 192 times
His longest streak of consecutive games with at least one 3-pointer made is 44

Advanced metrics highlight Kennard's efficiency as a shooter, with a career true shooting percentage of 61.1% and an effective field goal percentage of 58.8%, though his usage rate stands at 16.5%, reflecting a role-player capacity across teams.

Accolades and Achievements

Luke Kennard has earned several accolades and achieved significant milestones throughout his college and NBA career:

Parade National Player of the Year (2015)
Two-time Ohio Mr. Basketball (2014, 2015)
Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year (2014, 2015)
McDonald's All-American (2015)
NBA leader in three-point percentage (2021-22, 2022-23)
Finished fifth in voting for the Sixth Man of the Year award (2021-22)
Holds the fourth-highest career three-point field goal percentage in league history

Personal Life

Born on June 24, 1996, in Middletown, Ohio, Luke Kennard is the son of Jennifer and Mark Kennard. He has one older sister. Kennard and Anna Castro were married on August 5, 2022.

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