By Alex Kline

When Markus Kennedy signed his national letter of intent with Villanova last fall, he was expected to be in the class of 2010. The 6-foot-9 center decided it would be best if he spent another year in high school to work on his game and make sure he is ready for college. As Markus heads to Brewster Academy, where he is enrolled as a postgraduate, he could have been starting college at Villanova. But for Kennedy, it is much more complex than just a year. It is his whole life, on the court and off, that has patched every decision into this move and others.

When Kennedy made the move back in April of his senior year at Winchendon School in Massachusetts, some questioned the decision. Kennedy has been to four different schools in five years. He has left most of them after only a year. He had everything set at Villanova and would get a fair amount of playing time his freshman year. The judgement received by the Philadelphia native on a day in and day out basis is a lot for one man to handle. Kennedy just uses it as the fire to quench his thirst.

A native of Philadelphia, life has always revolved around his family and taking of them. “They are my number one priority,” he said. “My girlfriend, Ayana, is my backbone. She keeps me on track and makes me do the right thing.” A normal day in Philly for Markus consists of making sure his thirteen-year old brother, Mikeal, and twelve-year old sister, Morgan, get to school, camp or their activity for the day and have them picked up.

Growing up in Philadelphia was tough for Markus is various ways. “It’s not hard just as a basketball player, but for anyone,” he stated. “I have seen drug deals being made and I have heard gun shots.” He is the man of the house. His father, Ross, left the family when Markus was thirteen-years old. “My roles and duties are something I have to do,” stated Kennedy. “Basketball is just a stepping stone for me.” While overcoming obstacles, Markus has had to move from house to house; school to school because of the challenges of the hood. “I know I’m blessed and I am thankful for that,” he said. “I just wish people would not judge me on what other people say.”

As a big name in the world of high school basketball, Markus Kennedy deals with criticism and critique every day. Most athletes receive critique about their game, not their weight or situation with school. Kennedy is one special exception. “People judge me on everything,” he said. Kennedy is often asked about his situation with high schools. He originally started out at St. Patrick High School in Elizabeth, New Jersey. As a promising freshman, Markus was determined to be a breakout player  at a great school. He eventually had to leave. “I left St. Pat’s because of the travel, not for anything else,” said Kennedy. “Getting up at three in the morning and not getting home until eleven at night was not fun. I was sixteen-years old at the time. It was to much to handle.”

Markus then attended Living Faith Academy in New Jersey during the 2008-2009 season. Due to a lack of funding, that school closed and the rising senior was forced to attend a new school for his senior year. Kennedy found the Winchendon School in Massachusetts. “I liked it there, I really did,” he said. “I couldn’t stay though because head coach Mike Byrnes left. He was the main reason I came there.” As Markus gained a new relationship with Brewster’s Naadir Tharpe over the summer, he and his family believed it would be ideal to attend Brewster Academy in the fall. Brewster, the defending Prep national champion, is located in New Hampshire.

Another judgement has always been weight issues. Currently at two-hundred and fifty pounds, Markus has seen his weight fluxuate over the years. This doesn’t matter to him at all. “Weight is not the problem because at the same time anyone would want me on their team,” he stated. “I can flat out play!” At the same time, he is not a fan of it. “It makes me feel like people are immature,” said Kennedy. “If they really cared they wouldn’t speak down on a high school kid.”

So what it the ultimate goal in the end for Markus Kennedy? “I want to make it for my family.” Simply put, but tough to accomplish. In the end, Markus can be thought of as an inspiration to some. Whether people like him or not, they cannot get enough of him. “Without me what would the media write about?” he said. “If I stopped playing, no one would care. I must be doing something right.”

(Photo courtesy of VU Hoops)