Franklin's Luke Kennard wins Powerade Jam Fest 3-point contest
CHICAGO – Franklin senior guard Luke Kennard won the Powerade Jam Fest 3-point shootout Monday night in a nationally televised event broadcast on ESPN2 at the University of Chicago.
Kennard, one of 24 players participating in the McDonald's All American Boys Basketball Game this week, was one of three players that advanced to the finals portion that was televised. Kennard, who averaged 38.1 points this past season, shot 49 percent from the 3-point line (100 for 204) for Franklin this winter.
"I'm just truly blessed to be in this position," Kennard said after the victory.
Kennard had 23 points in the finals. He defeated Adlai E. Stevenson High School (Lincolnshire, Illinois) point guard Jalen Brunson and Oak Ridge (Orlando, Florida) guard Antonio Blakeney in the competitions.
Kennard, a Duke signee, missed his first two shots but made the next eight consecutive. He made four money balls.
In the first round, Kennard made 20 points – including all five money balls.
Luke Kennard also won the overall bragging rights 3-point shootout title against St. Pius X Catholic (Atlanta) point guard Asia Durr (Louisville signee) in the boys vs. girls competition.
Kennard, the two-time Ohio Mr. Basketball, was the first to compete. He is the area's first 3-point shootout winner on the boys' side of the McDonald's All American Game since Hamilton's Chris Kingsbury in 1993 in Memphis.
The 38th annual McDonald's All American Game is 9 p.m. ET Wednesday at the United Center. Kennard is on the East squad.
In case you missed the broadcast, here's a taste of Kennard shooting 3s (at Kings Island).
Other 3-point participants tonight include:
1. Luke Kennard
2. Malachi Richardson
3. Jalen Brunson
5. Stephen Zimmerman
6. Brandon Ingram
7. Antonio Blakeney
8. Malik Newman
9. Isaiah Briscoe
10. Dedric Lawson
Girls 3-point participants
1. Destinee Walker
2. Sophie Cunningham
3. Stephanie Watts
4. Kyra Lambert
5. Kiah Gillespie
6. Marina Mabrey
7. Taja Cole
8. Asia Durr
9. Arike Ogunbowale
10. Katie Lou Samuelson
Skills contest
Boys:
1. Jawun Evans
2. Jalen Brunson
3. Carlton Bragg
4. Antonio Blakeney
5. Isaiah Briscoe
6. Allonzo Trier
Skills contest
Girls:
1. Kyra Lambert
2. Napheesa Collier
3. Stephanie Watts
4. Sophie Cunningham
5. Asia Durr
6. Te'a Cooper
7. Arike Ogunbowale
8. Ali Patberg
9. Marina Mabrey
10. Brianna Fraser
Dunk contest:
1. Kristine Anigwe
2. Carlton Bragg
3. Dwayne Bacon
4. PJ Dozier
5. Stephen Zimmerman