From the Hill to Jamaica
Schenley's Kennedy getting it done at St. John's
By Jeff Borzello,
special to the Pittsburgh Sports Report

It took D.J. Kennedy one game to demonstrate his potential.

The St. John's freshman swingman opened his career with a nine-point, 14-rebound, four-assist and two-steal performance against St. Francis (N.Y.). He followed that up with an impressive seven-game stretch in which he cemented his spot among the Big East freshmen elite.

The 6-foot-6 Kennedy was outstanding in his first eight games, averaging 12.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.8 steals per game. He also shot 50 percent from the field and 45 percent from three-point range. St. John's went 5-3 in those games.

However, it's been the tale of two halves for the Schenley High School graduate in his debut season with the Red Storm.

The latter half, of course, is the more concerning one. In his last eight games, Kennedy is averaging just 5.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 0.5 steals per game. Furthermore, he is shooting 34 percent from the field and 29 percent from behind the arc. The Johnnies are a disappointing 2-6 in those games.

Fred Skrocki, his former high school coach, said Kennedy has had to make a difficult transition to the college game.

"His adjustment is tough because of the position," Skrocki said. "He has to be flexible. He's physically ready but he has to work on things. He has to work on a mid-range jumper, and he's rebounding a lot more than he ever did before."

Kennedy said there are plenty of things he needs to work on.

"I'm doing okay, but there's a lot of room for improvement," he said. "I need to improve on everything as a freshman."

Kennedy has shown flashes of his all-around ability throughout the season, whether it is a steal and no-look pass to an open teammate, a coast-to-coast drive through traffic or an athletic corral of a missed shot.

Despite his recent struggles, Kennedy has drawn attention to his game because of his versatility.

"He certainly has abilities," a veteran NBA and college scout said. "He's quick, he's athletic and he's got range on his shot."

The coaches have noticed, too.

"He's done a great job defensively," assistant coach Fred Quartlebaum said. "The other night [against West Virginia], he had to guard Alex Ruoff, and I think he did an outstanding job on him." Ruoff shot just 1-for-10 from the field after hitting seven three-pointers in his previous game, against Syracuse.

Quartlebaum said Kennedy has performed admirably both on and off the court in his first season with the program.

"Being in a new culture, he's done a great job," he said. "He's done well in the classroom and has tried to be a part of the St. John's community. That's how he was in high school."

Another similarity between college and high school is the fact Kennedy is being overshadowed by a classmate. At St. John's, stud freshman Justin Burrell has garnered most of the headlines in New York. Likewise, although he won a state championship at Schenley, Kennedy was just the second option on that team in favor of current Pitt freshman sensation DeJuan Blair.

That could partially explain the reason Kennedy didn't sign with St. John's until May of his senior year in high school. "He didn't want to sign real early," Skrocki said.

"It came down to what was best for me," Kennedy said. "I came here on a visit and I felt comfortable so I made my decision. I just wanted to play in a good conference, a big conference."

Quartlebaum said it's not often one finds such a talent so late in the recruiting process.

"He was an uncommitted senior when he visited us in the spring," he said. "He got along with all our players. He really enjoyed St. John's because of its proximity to Pittsburgh and the fact he could play in Madison Square Garden.

"He's a great fit for our program."

Skrocki said it would have been very difficult for Kennedy to pass up St. John's. "Any place you can go and work on your game, and play in that media market, it's a good fit."

However, that media market could be a part of the problem Kennedy is having recently. Kennedy needs to get used to play under the bright lights of New York City, and fast. In the three games St. John's has played at Madison Square Garden this season, Kennedy has totaled nine points, ten rebounds, four assists, seven turnovers and nine fouls.

Kennedy doesn't seem fazed by either his early-season success or mid-season struggles, though, and is looking forward to improving.

"There are a lot more details and I need to pay attention to the little stuff. I just need to take it one game at a time."