Tennessee's prized recruit, Kennedy Chandler, talks his Vols pledge
Kennedy Chandler’s rise to a five-star has been one that took major leaps since the beginning of 2019. With Mokan Elite of the Nike EYBL Circuit in the Spring of 2019, Chandler was able to display his elite guard skills and had a major spring that year which ultimately led to his first handful of scholarship offers.
Last year, during that Spring EYBL session, Chandler landed double-digit scholarship offers, and after that, he was able to bolster his spot as one of the top-ranked guards in the 2021 class. That summer, Chandler would help lead Mokan Elite to a Peach Jam Championship, which is one of the most prestigious games to occur on the basketball schedule.
Chandler was attending Briarcrest Christian School (TN) where he was the lead guard for them and a major impact, especially last year. But now, he took his talents to the national powerhouse program in Bel Aire, Kansas. If you haven’t heard of it, I suggest you watch them: Sunrise Christian Academy.
Alongside several major talents like Baylor signee Kendall Brown, Five-star junior Gradey Dick, Kansas signee Zachery Clemence, and more, Chandler has been able to fill the lead guard role once again but this time on one of the most talented prep school programs in America.
In his first four games this season, Chandler totaled 61 points, 26 assists, and 15 steals for Sunrise Christian Academy. He’s showcased his elite guard skills within the first few games of the year. Chandler has been able to establish himself as one of the most dynamic point guards in the country and continues to be that elite playmaker we saw with Mokan Elite.
Now, for the hard-hitting stuff. Stockrisers.com [virtually] sat-down with Kennedy Chandler to discuss his future program, the Tennessee Volunteers.
What are your thoughts on the current season the Vols are having so far [5-0]?
“Tennessee has had a great start to the season. I have been loving watching them play and I look forward to seeing how Coach [Rick] Barnes coaches the team, seeing what he expects from the team and yeah, just in texting with Jaden [Springer] and Keon [Johnson], I’m excited to get down there and play for Rick Barnes.”
How has your season been going so far with Sunrise Christian Academy?
“You know the games this season have been hard with COVID stuff. My team had dealt with that stuff earlier and you know we’ve only played five games so we are getting back into shape and stuff.
We have to continue to get better and stay in shape and get ready for the bubble, which starts on January 7th and then we come back on the 26th, we just gotta get ready and be prepared for it. We have a loaded team this year, we just gotta keep continuing to work hard and get better every day and that’s what we are doing right now. ”
How did working with Ja Morant help your game and just better you as a person?
“You know me working out with Ja is such a blessing. For me to work out with him, for me to be friendly with him, and just being his little brother and him being like a big brother. He and his dad taught me a lot of things just about the game and just telling me to work hard. They told me to keep working hard and to stay blessed. They also taught me stuff about my game and what to work on. It is just a blessing to be able to work with him.”
Discuss Tennessee’s 2021 recruiting class.
“This year’s Tennessee recruiting class is just me and Jahmai [Mashack] right now but I think we could get two more. Just been talking to people and I think we might be able to get two more commits.”
What is it like to be signed with a program like Tennessee?
“Just really excited man, dream and goal of mine to play college basketball. I’m ready. It’s a dream for everybody to play college basketball for the school you want to go to. I think that we will have a great team next year and being around not just young kids, but older kids, people that been there and I know what Rick Barnes expects and I’m looking forward to it.”
Expectations for Volunteer fans next season, what should they expect in 2021?
“Yeah, we’re gonna come in, ready to play hard. Looking forward to being on a great team and us coming and showing what we can do. Just have a great season next year. My goal is simple and to make it to a final-four and national championship and we look forward to doing it next year.”