By: Evi Fromm

Luke Kennard graduated from Franklin High School in 2015. During his high school years, he was forced to be reckoned with on the football field and basketball court, giving Bellbrook coaches a run for their money. 

“He was the most talented player that we played against in my coaching experience of over 20 years,” former varsity basketball coach Perry Caldwell said. “We had no wins in nine tries. We had them on the ropes a couple of times but could not make the plays to win the game. There were also a couple of games he was simply talented enough to say ‘not on my watch.'”

After graduating, Kennard went on to play collegiate basketball at Duke University under Mike Krzyzewski (“Coach K”) from 2015 to 2017. After his two collegiate seasons, he entered the NBA draft, playing for the Detroit Pistons from 2017-2020, the Los Angeles Clippers from 2020-2023, and currently has played for the Memphis Grizzlies since 2023. 

“I have kept an eye on his college career at Duke and his NBA journey through Detroit, Los Angeles, and now Memphis. It is incredible to see him perform on the highest stage,” Caldwell said. “I believe that he is a successful athlete because he has been able to combine his god-given talents with incredible work ethic and basketball IQ to really maximize his potential.”

Before the start of the Bellbrook v. Franklin varsity game on Friday, February 14, the gymnasium at Franklin’s new high school will be dedicated to and named after Luke Kennard in honor of the legacy he has left with the community. 

After the JV game, there will be a brief ceremony to honor Kennard, and a few influential people in Franklin as well as Kennard will give speeches. 

Kennard’s name will be on the floor of the gym to commemorate everything he has done for Franklin since he graduated.

“Luke feels he has been blessed, so he always wants to give back to the community and school,” Luke’s father, Mark Kennard, said. “He has donated to the weight room, scoreboards, equipment, and other items. He also will buy the boys and girls JV and Varsity basketball teams game shoes every year.”

“It is important to honor those in your community that go on to bigger and better things,” Caldwell said. “He could have left Franklin for other opportunities but chose to do it his way and always be committed to the community that has loved and supported him. Now the financial security of the NBA allows him to give back to the city of Franklin.”

After the ceremony, Kennard and his family will sit behind the varsity bench to watch the game as the Golden Eagles and Wildcats face off.

Tickets for the game went on sale on February 9, and there still are some available. Any BHS students or parents planning to attend the game who did not buy a ticket ahead of time should try and buy them online now at Home Town Ticketing as it is expected to be a sold-out event.