Franklin grad Luke Kennard likely a first-round NBA draft choice

There’s no telling when Luke Kennard, Franklin’s favorite son, will go in the NBA draft Thursday night. The only sure thing is the impact it’ll have on his family.

“It’s unreal,” said Mark Kennard, Luke’s father, from New York earlier this week. “I’m sure if I hear his name called it’ll be emotional.”

The draft will be held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn (7, ESPN). There will be 30 picks each of two rounds. The top 14 are lottery picks, assigned to the 14 teams that didn’t qualify for the NBA playoffs this season. Teams maneuver and trade to land those coveted spots.

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NBA executives seem to be genuinely intrigued by Kennard. Franklin High School coach Brian Bales, whose family also will attend the draft, said at least 20 teams have contacted him, wanting to know all kinds of Kennard insights. Bales said the consensus is Kennard will be chosen between picks 8-14 and for certain in the first round.

If that happens, he’ll join Jefferson’s Adriean Payne (No. 14 from Michigan State University, Hawks in 2014) and Dunbar graduates Norris Cole (No. 28 from Cleveland State University, Bulls in 2011) and Daequan Cook (No. 21 from Ohio State, 76ers in 2007) as the most recent area first-rounders.

“To get drafted anywhere is a blessing,” said Bales, who coached Kennard all four seasons at Franklin (2011-15) and himself was coached by Mark Kennard at Franklin. “My goodness, it’s going to change his whole life.”

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An ambidextrous 6-foot-6 guard mostly known for his 3-point shooting, Kennard’s overall game evolved in his breakout second and last season at Duke in 2016-17.

After a series of injuries to teammates thrust Kennard into the starting lineup, he responded by becoming Duke’s most consistent player, leading the Blue Devils in scoring (19.5), field-goal percentage (.489), 3-point percentage (.438) and free-throw percentage (.856).

Just as impressive, he was the only unanimous first team All-Atlantic Coast Conference pick and a finalist for the Wooden Award, college’s basketball’s player of the year honor.

“I always knew he was special and had the ‘it’ factor,” Bales said. “A lot of people doubted him, said he can’t play at Duke, can’t play in the ACC. Well, yeah, he can play at Duke. Well, he can’t go play in the NBA. Well, yeah, he can. As a matter of fact, he’s going to be a first-round draft pick.”

Mark Kennard said he first spoke with Luke about the possibility of turning pro midway through Duke’s season, when they decided it would be best to wait until afterward to decide. Mark said Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski was certain Luke was ready for the next level and if he wanted to return to Duke the offense would revolve around him next season.

Duke coaches also shared evaluations of about half the NBA teams concerning Luke, who had nine individual workouts for as many teams. All were impressed he was more than a spot-up shooter. A lack of speed and a defensive liability were recurring concerns.

“People want to put him in a box,” Bales said. “He’s 6-6 and a white guy who they think is a shooter. The thing people don’t give him credit for and now you’re seeing it in NBA reports is they’re very impressed with his vision and his ability to play with others. They see he’s so much more than just a shooter.”

Kennard is one of 20 players who will attend the draft. He’s spent this week in New York filming pre-draft personality bits for ESPN and huddling with family and friends. Former Franklin teammates, neighbors and much of the community that embraced him during his Wildcats years will attend draft-watch parties.

“It’s been a whirlwind,” Mark said. “We’re excited and nervous.”

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