Kennedy Chandler

Kennedy Chandler's Biography

Kennedy Collier Chandler was born on September 16, 2002, and would grow up to mark a dent in the world of American professional basketball. Featuring as a player for Raptors 905 of the prestigious NBA G League, his journey into the professional field took inspiration from his university days and impressive high school career. He made his mark as a promising talent in the field of basketball as a five-star recruit and one of the top point guards for the 2021 class. This impressive achievement was coupled with several other noteworthy accolades during his high school senior year, such as his selection into the coveted ranks of McDonald’s All-Americans and roster inclusions for the Jordan Brand Classic and the Nike Hoop Summit.

Chandler kick-started his foray into the world of basketball as a varsity player for the Briarcrest Christian School, located in Eads, Tennessee. Even in his junior years, he was making strides, competing with seventh-graders when he was in eighth grade. His presence on the court began to turn heads, and his growing popularity was complemented by his contributions to his team’s stellar performance, leading them to the Division II-AA semifinals during his freshman year.

With every subsequent year in high school, Chandler’s performance on the court improved dramatically. He averaged 19.5 points, four rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game during his sophomore season. His outstanding performance led the Briarcrest team to a DII-AA state title victory, during which he scored 20 points in a 65–54 victory against Brentwood Academy. As a testament to his performances, Chandler was awarded tournament most valuable player honors and named DII-AA Tennessee Mr. Basketball. After the successful season, he joined the Mokan Elite and went on to win the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League Peach Jam.

Chandler’s rise in high school basketball continued, and as a junior, he averaged 22.2 points, 4.3 assists, and 2.6 steals per game. His leadership and gameplay saw his team through to a state runner-up finish, a feat which earned him his second straight award of DII-AA Tennessee Mr. Basketball. For his senior year, Chandler transferred to the Sunrise Christian Academy in Bel Aire, Kansas, where he prepared for the forthcoming college level of competition.

During his senior year, Chandler averaged 14.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.3 steals per game. His game leadership led his academy to a commendable season record of 21–4. Chandler’s remarkable performance won him selection into the McDonald’s All-American Game, Jordan Brand Classic, and Nike Hoop Summit rosters.

Chandler’s high school journey had a string of scholarship offers from renowned institutions such as Florida, Arizona State, and Ole Miss. Prior to his junior season, he emerged as a five-star recruit. On August 14, 2020, Chandler committed to playing college basketball for Tennessee, choosing Tennessee over offers from Duke, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Memphis.

Chandler successfully transitioned into college basketball, posting 20 points and four assists in his college debut in a 90–62 win against UT Martin. He continued his incredible form, scoring 28 points in a 69–54 win over Colorado. His commendable performances throughout the season saw him being named to the second-team All-Southeastern Conference and the SEC all-freshman team. He maintained remarkable season statistics, averaging 13.9 points, 4.7 assists, and 2.2 steals per game. On April 5, 2022, Chandler declared for the 2022 NBA draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility, and was projected to be among the top twenty picks.

Chandler’s dedication and high caliber gameplay secured him the 38th position in the 2022 NBA draft, chosen by the San Antonio Spurs. However, in an unexpected turn of events, he was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies just a day after the draft. Chandler officially signed a four-year rookie scale contract worth $7.1 million with the Grizzlies on July 6. He set a new record for the most guaranteed money given to a second-round draft pick at $4.9 million. He joined the Grizzlies for the 2022 NBA Summer League and continued to showcase his abilities.

His National Basketball Association (NBA) debut came in October 2022, where he recorded two assists and two blocks in a 137–96 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. April 8, 2023, marked a brief pause in his professional career as he was waived by the Grizzlies. Later that year in October, he signed up with the Brooklyn Nets, only to be waived two days later. He later joined Long Island Nets. In September 2024, he got a short stint with the Toronto Raptors, but once again was waived the same day. Ultimately, he got a steady place in the Raptors 905 in October 2024.

Chandler’s impressive career also extended on the international arena, where he represented the United States at the 2021 FIBA Under-19 World Cup held in Latvia. Chandler proved instrumental in helping his team clinch the gold medal, contributing an average of 7.7 points and 3.4 assists per game. Achieving such feats at a young age, Chandler’s story is a testament to his unwavering commitment to his sport and an inspiration for emerging players across the globe.