Kennedy Makes Early Pick
Having already put together a stellar recruiting class in 2010, first year Boston University head coach Pat Chambers has started his 2011 class off with a bang by getting an early verbal commitment from Cushing Academy junior James Kennedy.
Kennedy is the first New England product to commit to Chambers since he took over the local America East program.
Despite the fact that he had not yet even begun his junior season at Cushing Academy and was already drawing interest from schools like Penn State and SMU in addition to several other A-10 and CAA programs, Kennedy found all he was looking for in the Terriers.
“I probably could have gone higher but when I got to the campus I knew it was the right fit,” Kennedy told the New England Recruiting Report. “I liked the coaches, the program had a family like feel to it, and I will be getting a great education…plus I really didn’t want to go too far from home.”
While Kennedy almost certainly would have earned scholarship levels from higher levels, his decision to pick a school where he can make an immediate impact is an example more players should follow.
At BU he will have an opportunity to play meaningful minutes as a freshman and play for a team that should presumably be among the best in the America East and consequently competing for a trip to the NCA A tournament.
“Coach Chambers told me he thinks I could be the final piece in what they’re trying to build,” Kennedy said.
Kennedy is a physically imposing player with a great combination of strength and athleticism. He scores points inside the paint, is a very good rebounder, and a very underrated passer from the high post.
He has been a longtime member of the Boston Amateur Athlethic Club and consistently ranked among New England's top prospects in the class of 2011.
James Kennedy