HOMETOWN HEROE'S: LEVON KENDALL
By: BCSportsFanatic
Date: January 30, 2006
The High School Years
Levon Kendall is arguably one of the best High School Basketball players ever produced by the Province of British Columbia . Kendall was an outstanding 6'9 forward where he played 3 years on the Kitsilano Blue Demons Varsity team leading the Blue Demons to back to back AAA Provincial Championships. As a Senior in 2002, Kendall averaged a double-double with 23 ppg and 13 rpg and was named British Columbia Athlete of the Year.
Kendall 's experience at the National and International level started early being named a First Team All-Canadian in 2001 and earning a spot on Canada 's Junior National Team in 2002.
All that success led to several NCAA Div1 scholarship opportunities including several mid-major schools on the left coast interested in the intriguing prospect including Utah State , UC-Santa Barbara and Oregon State . It wasn't until a chance meeting at a Nike Basketball Camp in Toronto in 2002 with University of Pittsburgh Coach Jamie Dixon did his future come into shape. Dixon was so impressed with Kendall 's smooth shooting stroke and knack for being around the ball that he convinced the Panthers to take a chance on the big man from Vancouver .
Basketball was not the only sport Kendall excelled at during his years at Kitsilano. Kendall was the starting Goalie on his Blue Demons Soccer team leading them to 3 Provincial Titles.
Where's He At Now
The first year and a half of Kendall 's college hoops career has been an education in patience, and more patience. Often riding the end of the bench getting meaningless minutes at the end of blowout games, Kendall wondered if he was in the right situation. At the time, Coach Dixon had this to say regarding Kendall 's precarious disposition “Generally at this level, it's mostly juniors and seniors who play. I mean, it's not abnormal that younger guys are behind older guys.” Then all of sudden, Kendall 's fortunes changed. Panther's starting forward at the time, Yuri Demetris, was arrested for an alleged domestic assault and was subsequently suspended indefinitely by the team. The frustrating wait was over, and Kendall was finally given the opportunity to show what he could do, and he didn't disappoint.
On one Saturday afternoon in January of 2005 at UConn, Kendall had a huge coming out party helping the Panthers come from behind to upset the Huskies. Kendall blocked the shots of Denham Brown and Charlie Villaneuva in the final minutes of the game staving off two potential layups. In fact, Kendall 's block on Brown was so sick it was featured on that night's ESPN SportsCenter Play of the Day.
Later that summer, Kendall led Canada's Junior National Team to it's first-ever Bronze Medal including a 40 point outburst in a 93-90 win over Team USA which featured All-Americans in JJ Reddick, Allen Ray, and Rudy Gay.
Since then, Kendall has never looked back. After playing in the shadows of All-American Chevon Troutman last season for Pittsburgh, Kendall has taken center stage as the Starting Forward for the Panthers this season. The Panthers are ranked #9 in the nation and Kendall is averaging career highs in points, rebounds, and blocks entering his 3rd year.
With at least 1 more year of eligibility left for Kendall, it's safe to say we will see plenty of him on ESPN College Gameday leading his top-ranked Panthers to another NCAA Tournament. But Kendall will have plenty of opportunities to play beyond College. Some say Kendall could even be drafted into the NBA. Certainly there will be opportunities in Europe and abroad. No matter the options, the future is bright for this former BC star.
1-on-1 with Levon Kendall
DRIVE: What is your greatest memory from High School?
Kendall : It would have to be winning the third and final provincial
championship.
DRIVE: Who are some of the best player's you've faced?
Kendall : Man, too many to mention, but off the top of my head, Chevon
troutman, Ryan Gomes.
DRIVE: What advice would you give young players growing up in B.C.?
Kendall : Make sure you always work harder than everyone else. Even if you are
schooling people in high school the competition and skill level is
way better at the next level.
DRIVE: You went from BC High School Basketball to the very competitive Big East Conference, what were some of the main differences from high school to College?
Kendall : I would say the independence you have at college is way different than at high school. You're forced to grow up really fast and be responsible for everything you do. This translates onto the court as well, you're not going to get babied by anyone and if you dont work everyday you get left behind. The speed, strength, and intensity of the game is something you have to get used to very quickly.
DRIVE: You had a very busy summer in '05, what were some of the highlights of your summer with the National Program?
Kendall : The biggest highlight would have to be going to Argentina and winning the bronze medal at the U21 world championships. Oh ya and dropping forty on the US to get to the medal round was fun too. Also, getting my first chance to play with the senior mens national team was a thrill, playing under Coach Rautins and getting a taste of world class basketball was huge.
DRIVE: Who do you think is going to take the 2006 AAA BC Provincial Championships?
Kendall : Well my answer is pretty uninformed and bias but I hear the Kitsilano Blue Demons have a pretty good squad.
DRIVE: How important is academics and what are you studying at Pitt?
Kendall : Altough it sounds cliche, academics plays a very important role in my college career. I'm looking forward to graduating in April and in the process of pushing for Academic All-American. With my degree in anthropology I plan on doing some further studying to become a teacher or perhaps do some fieldwork, that is after my bball career is over.
DRIVE: Who's going to win the 2006 NCAA Championships?
Kendall : Pitt Panthers, of course.
DRIVE would like to wish Levon Kendall the best of luck for the rest of the season.
.: For past DRIVE articles click here.
