Kennedy Redding is only a junior, but the Bountiful star is already earning praise as one of the state's top recruits in recent memory.
Photo by Dave Argyle
Playing basketball with older brothers is a good way to toughen up.
Kennedy Redding learned that life lesson quickly.
As soon as Redding was old enough to walk and hold a basketball, she joined in games with her brothers. Basketball with them proved to be anything except easy. Redding ended up on the wrong end of a hard foul or steal more times than she cared to remember.
It did, however, serve as a useful training ground for the type of basketball player she would become once she reached high school.
Kennedy Redding, Bountiful
Photo by Dave Argyle
"They beat up on me sometimes, but it made me stronger," Redding said.
Redding is the one dominating opponents these days. The 6-foot-4 junior has become a force in the post for
Bountiful this season. Her length, athleticism and a soft touch in the post keep virtually every defense off balance.
Redding is averaging 20.0 points, 17.9 rebounds and 2.4 steals per game through Bountiful's first 10 games. Not surprisingly, the Braves remain one of two Class 4A teams – along with Sky View – that are undefeated at this point in the season.
All of that success starts with what Redding does down low. Opposing teams don't have a clue on how to keep her off the glass. Redding not only leads the state in rebounding, she averages at least five more rebounds per game than any other girls basketball player in Utah.
Her success on the glass comes down to a simple and effective formula.
"I just always try to remember that rebounds come from the heart," Redding said. "You just always have to play hard and have the heart to go get those rebounds. I just always want to get the ball, so I try to get every rebound."
Colleges inside and outside of Utah are starting to take notice at what Redding could potentially do for their programs once she graduates from high school next year. BYU and Utah have each offered her a scholarship. Oregon and Wake Forest each flew in coaches this week to watch Redding play.
She is on the cusp of becoming Utah's most highly recruited girls basketball player since former Syracuse standout and current Oklahoma State star Brittney Martin. Bountiful coach Joel Burton thinks Redding has similar potential to break through at the next level.
Kennedy Redding (left), Bountiful
Photo by Dave Argyle
Burton said Redding is driven to perfect her game. She never gives up on a play, getting rebound after rebound following a missed shot, for example, until she gets the basket. He sees that drive taking her to an elite level once she begins playing college ball.
"Honestly, I don't think she realizes how good she can be," Burton said. "She's just scratching her potential even here. Every day, we see her getting better."
Redding's immediate goal is to help her team finally break through and win a state title. Bountiful won its last Class 4A crown in 2001. It's still early, but the Braves are already looking like the team to beat.
Through 10 games, Bountiful has outscored opponents by an average score of 54-39. The Braves possess the No. 2 scoring defense in Class 4A behind Provo.
It should help Bountiful exceed the team's playoff run from a season ago, when the Braves lost 60-54 to Timpanogos in the Class 4A quarterfinals. Redding and her teammates are eager to prove they have what it takes this time around to successfully challenge for the state title at season's end.
"I feel like we can go as far as we want as long as we work hard," Redding said.
The same idea likely rings true for the direction Redding is traveling with her own blossoming basketball career.
John Coon covers Utah high school sports for MaxPreps. You can reach him at john_coon@hotmail.com and you can also follow John on Twitter at @johncoonsports
