Prospect Spotlight: Kennedy Chandler (2021)

Kennedy Chandler has yet to begin his sophomore year at Briarcrest Christian High School, and he’s already a difficult matchup for opposing teams.

At 5-foot-11 ½, Chandler has the quickness of an Allen Iverson, the court vision of a Chris Paul, and the ball handling of a Kyrie Irving. Whether the opposing team is in zone or man-to-man defense, Chandler, somehow, finds his way into the lane. His passing ability is also at a high level, throwing touchdown passes as soon as he gets the basketball off an inbounds pass.

During the Jerry Peters Memphis Summer Classic, Chandler had a highlight where he didn’t take five dribbles, and threw a deep one-handed pass to big man Rodney Newson for the uncontested layup against Centennial. Chandler’s court vision and ability to breakthrough a defense was too much for the Cougars to stop. Chandler’s pass to Newson was one of many highlights he had during the three-day classic.

In the 61-52 win over Centennial, Chandler had 20 points, two rebounds, and four assists. He followed up that performance with a 17-point, six-rebound, and three-assist outing in a double-digit win over Center Hill High School.

Chandler’s offensive success has him in great position to have a solid sophomore season with the Saints, but his dad, Kylan Chandler, wants him to take more ownership in playing up-in-your-face defense. Kylan Chandler usually gives his son prep talk before he takes the floor.

“Before the games, I always tell him to be aggressive. Everyone knows you can score,” Kylan Chandler said. “You can find a scorer anywhere, but everyone doesn’t want to play defense. So, since he’s a point guard, I always tell him you want to be able to guard your position, be aggressive, and be talkative on the floor."

“You’re a leader on the floor. If you’re quiet, you’re not helping your team at all.”

Unlike some guards with little to no offensive game, Kennedy Chandler can score half of his team’s points, but he’s an unselfish guard who looks to get his teammates involved. With the arrival of 2020 wing Delvin White (transfer from Hamilton High School), along with Michael Malone and Marcellus Brigham Jr., Kennedy Chandler’s job as the team’s point guard will not have to rely mainly on scoring.

He could be more of a Chris Paul-like point guard, and dictate the offense.

“I won’t have to score as much as I used to since we have Scooter (Michael Malone) and Marcellus,” Kennedy Chandler said. “They are both great scorers. I can contribute by passing the ball, looking for them to score.”

Because of Kennedy Chandler’s early success, he has offers from UT-Martin, Chattanooga, and Tulane. The dynamic guard has interests from Vanderbilt, Ole Miss, Oklahoma State, Houston, Memphis, and Florida State.

Over the course of the summer before his sophomore season gets here, the Memphis Elite invitee wants to improve on his on-ball defense.

“I need to get better at my defense, and stop standing around, picking up full-court, and man-to-man defense.” Kennedy Chandler said. “I think I have done well by controlling my team, being the lead point guard, and doing whatever I need to do to win games for my team.”