Vallée makes Lancers' Kennedy a Honey Badger selection in CEBL Draft
Windsor’s Thomas Kennedy will get a chance to play professional basketball with no impact to his university eligibility.
The University of Windsor Lancers’ freshman, who was named an OUA all-rookie team member this season, was selected by the Hamilton Honey Badgers during the Canadian Elite Basketball League’s first-ever draft.
“I mean, a tremendous opportunity, especially as a first-year athlete, to be drafted with all these athletes,” the 18-year-old Kennedy said.
The CEBL Draft had three draft phases. The first was a four-round regional draft each of the league’s six members to select players in specific territories. The second was seven rounds open for players anywhere in the word and concluding with two rounds for rising stars where teams selected emerging talent in Canada’s U Sports. Results were announced on Saturday.
Selection of the six-foot-nine, 220-pound Kennedy by Hamilton should not come as a complete surprise with Lancers women’s head basketball coach Chantal Vallée serving as head coach and general manager of the Honey Badgers.
“I saw him with the men’s team and I thought he did really well,” Vallée said. “So, I decided I was going to draft him.”
Kennedy had some familiarity with Vallée, who tried to recruit his sister Shannon Kennedy to the Lancers. She eventually opted for St. Clair College where she became the OCAA’s all-time leading scorer.
“We’ve had a pretty good relationship being heavily immersed in basketball in Windsor,” Kennedy said. “I’ve always respected her for everything she’s accomplished in her career.”
Vallée actually handled the Hamilton draft from Windsor and said she spoke with Kennedy before making the selection.
“I’m really excited to get someone from Windsor,” Vallée said. “He was over the moon excited.”
Aside from being an OUA rookie all-star, Kennedy started all 24 games for the Lancers this season and averaged over 25 minutes per game. He was second on the team in scoring, with an average of 11.5 points per game, and led the team with 8.4 rebounds per game and 1.5 blocked shots per game.
“I really like what Thomas Kennedy has done this year,” Vallée said.
But Vallée cautioned not to expect to see Kennedy in a starting role or even in the rotation.
“He might be in a game, but we have G League players and four members of the national team,” Vallée said. “It’s a real high level and I think Thomas will enjoy practicing.”
The chance to learn and develop under Vallée and her staff along with professional athletes is the biggest benefit for Kennedy.
“I want to spend as much time as I can high-level coaches and assistants,” Kennedy said. “I experienced a little bit of that playing older guys my first year with the Lancers, but now these are guys play at a higher level, and older and back from Europe and playing pro. They’re bigger, faster, stronger and that makes me elevate my game.”
The league has an agreement with U Sports and while Kennedy cannot be paid, any money he does earn will be put towards his education at the end of the season.
“I’ll go to training camp and from there, they’ll be deciding who they want to keep and dress, but I’m also invited to every practice,” Kennedy said. “Even to have this recognition, after my first year (in university) is a step in the right direction.
“I want to stay in the gym and it’s an interesting league because so many people know that it’s Canadians coming home.”
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