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HIGH SCHOOL-OHIO

Franklin's Luke Kennard: McDonald's experience great

Mike Dyer
mdyer@enquirer.com

CHICAGO - Franklin High School's Luke Kennard has been on a whirlwind tour of sorts in the Windy City this week.

A jam-packed week of McDonald's All American Game activities has a way of doing that.

After a rigorous morning practice Monday at the Quest Multiplex, the Franklin senior guard was able to spend some time with his family before he won the 3-point competition portion of the Powerade Jam Fest Monday night.

And while there has been time for recreation since Saturday, make no mistake – Kennard is here to learn.

"Playing with a great group of guys – just seeing how competitive they are and I'll be playing against some of them next year in college – I've had a great time," Kennard told Cincinnati.com late Monday morning after practice.

Kennard, a Duke signee, was able to visit the Ronald McDonald House with his McDonald's All American Game colleagues on Sunday. Kennard said that provided a significant perspective during this week too.

"That was a great experience," said Kennard. "A lot to take from that in just how blessed you are and how great you actually have it."

Mark Kennard, Luke's father, sat behind a basket for practice on Monday morning. On the opposite side were more than 25 NBA scouts. Atlanta Hawks general manager Danny Ferry was also in attendance.

Four teams had practice at the complex on Monday – an East and West squad for the boys' and girls' teams.

Luke Kennard, named Ohio Mr. Basketball last week, said there's a reason why the practices this week are intense. Kennard said there is always room to improve.

"I'm always working hard – just listening and learning and taking it back and breaking it down," Luke Kennard said. "It will help with my game and my future. A lot to learn from here."

Luke Kennard is wearing No. 5 this week in Chicago instead of his usual No. 10. He showed his trademark 3-point shooting during practice drills on Monday morning for the East squad.

Luke Kennard is one of 24 players nationally here for the 38th annual McDonald's All American Game.

"It's been a great time," Mark Kennard said. "It's been awesome."

Monday night was Luke Kennard's first appearance on an ESPN network (the Jam Fest was televised on ESPN2).

Luke Kennard will play in the Nike Hoop Summit April 11 at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., and the Jordan Brand Classic April 17 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Mark Kennard said his son was invited to other showcase games too, but his schedule is set.

Luke Kennard is expected to leave in mid-June for Colorado Springs to try out for the U-19 national team. The U-19 World Championship is in Greece this summer.

Kennard averaged 38.1 points, 9.7 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 2.2 steals for Franklin (26-2), which was a Division II regional runner-up this month.

Kennard is the first area male boys' basketball player selected to the McDonald's All American Game since Hamilton's Chris Kingsbury and Woodward's Damon Flint in 1993.

LUKE FOR DUKE: Luke Kennard was able to follow most of Duke's win on Sunday over Gonzaga to advance to the Final Four. "I am excited to see how they do," Kennard said. "I am blessed to be able to go there next year." Kennard signed with Duke in November after he verbally committed to the Blue Devils in March 2014. Kennard watched the North Carolina at Duke game in person this past season.