At St. Jude Celebrity-Am, Luke Kennard talks big golf game, Memphis Grizzlies expectations
Luke Kennard paused.
Not because he was open for a 3-pointer, but he was asked about being the best golfer on the Memphis Grizzlies’ team as he was set to participate in the fourth annual St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Celebrity Am golf event on Thursday morning at Spring Creek Ranch.
Most of the Grizzlies players do not have much golf experience. Kennard said he’s heard about Marcus Smart’s golf game and members of the coaching staff have talked about their skills, but Kennard doesn't seem too fazed.
"Out of the players, I would probably take myself," Kennard said. "I know (assistant coach) Blake (Ahearn) talks a big game when we talk about golf, so we'll see."
Now that Kennard is going through his first offseason as a member of the Grizzlies, his role is becoming more defined. In a way, he feels like a player who can be a connector on the team.
Whether that’s off the floor helping his teammates improve their golf games or helping the Grizzlies become a better 3-point team, Kennard figures to be an important piece this season.
Ja Morant is suspended the first 25 games of the season. Kennard is one of the options who has been mentioned by Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins as someone who could fill in as the fifth starter.
"I just want to keep it pretty consistent with what I've been doing," Kennard said. "I know there might be some more opportunities to handle the ball more, kind of be involved with the ball, but at the same time, we just want to develop our good habits and what we're looking forward to."
The 3-point marksmen is also the only current Grizzlies player to have playing experience with new teammate Derrick Rose. The two played a season together with the Detroit Pistons in 2019-20.
Rose came off the bench and led the team with 18.1 points per game. Kennard was the third-leading scorer and averaged a career-high 15.8 points per game.
"We got some really good additions this summer, and I think they're going to help our team out a lot," Kennard said. "We're really excited. I know we have a really good team this year. With our coaches and everybody just buying in to what we want to do, we have a really good chance of being a really special team this year."
Spring Creek is the first golf course that Kennard has played in Memphis. While he shoots left-handed, his swings are from the right side.
As Kennard went back for his second round of shots on the driving range, on-air talent Bobby Bones offered up a friendly wager of donating to St. Jude. The two traded five shots towards a pin approximately 100 yards away. To win each round, the golfers had to land the closest shot to the cup.
Bones won the first round, and then he offered Kennard a chance to double the wager with one shot. Kennard’s shot landed closer to the hole in the second round, and the two agreed to donate $500 each.
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Kennard didn't hesitate when offered the opportunity by Bones because he's all for the cause. When Kennard was traded to the Grizzlies, he took the time out to visit St. Jude. He called the experience "moving."
"Talking with the Grizzlies and my agency, I really want to try to do a little bit more with St. Jude and what they're doing," Kennard said. "I really think we can hopefully build something special with myself and them."
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: PGA Tour in Memphis: Grizzlies' Luke Kennard talks golf, expectations
