Road to Duke
Luke Douglas Kennard was born June 24, 1996, in Franklin, Ohio, a small city near Dayton. His father Mark played college basketball at Georgetown College in Kentucky and started taking Luke to the gym at age three. His mother Jennifer sometimes got annoyed with Mark for pushing so hard, but Mark had a vision and Luke had the talent.
At Franklin High School, Kennard became a legend. He finished with 2,997 career points — the second-highest total in Ohio history, three spots ahead of LeBron James. Two-time Ohio Mr. Basketball, two-time Gatorade POY, Parade National Player of the Year as a senior. He averaged 38.1/9.7/5.9/2.2 his final season, scoring 50+ on five occasions and setting the school record with 59 in a single game.
He also lettered three years as a quarterback and was named Ohio Division II Offensive Player of the Year in 2013 (2,331 yards, 26 TDs). He shot left-handed in basketball and threw right-handed in football.
The defining story: after scoring 27 in one of his first varsity road games as a freshman, his parents waited in the car. Instead of celebrating, he texted them to come inside — he needed a rebounder. He was so bothered by going 7-for-10 from the free throw line that he practiced after the bus ride home. His coach told him to lock the doors when he was done. “Coach, to go where I want to go, 7-of-10 is not going to get it done.” He made one college visit: Duke. When Coach K visited the Kennard home, it was coach Bales’s wife who cooked the meal. After Luke left for Durham, Franklin posted signs at the town’s entry points: “Welcome to Franklin, Ohio, Home of Luke Kennard.”
At Duke
As a freshman in 2015–16, Kennard moved in and out of the starting lineup: 11.8/3.6/1.5. Flashes — 30 against Notre Dame — but not yet the player Coach K recruited. He practiced daily against Grayson Allen.
During the offseason, assistant Jon Scheyer kept repeating a mantra to Luke, his father, and his high school coach: “We didn’t bring Luke here to be a basketball player. We brought him here to be a star.”
Sophomore year was the revelation. 19.5/5.1/2.5. Shot 50% from the floor, 43.8% from three, 85.6% from the line — one of only two players nationally with a 50/40/85 line while averaging 20. First Team All-ACC. Second Team All-American. ACC Tournament MVP after scoring 24 against Louisville, 20 against UNC, and 16 in the championship win over Notre Dame. Coach K: “Luke is one of the hardest-working guys I’ve ever coached.”
The NCAA Tournament ended bitterly — 1-for-6, fouled out in a second-round loss to South Carolina. But the body of work was undeniable. He declared for the draft alongside Jayson Tatum, Harry Giles, and Frank Jackson.
After Duke
Detroit took Kennard 12th overall in 2017. Three seasons with the Pistons — steady improvement, persistent knee injuries. Bilateral tendinitis limited him to 28 games in 2019–20 before COVID.
Traded to the Clippers in November 2020, he established himself as one of the NBA’s most efficient shooters — over 44% from three on high volume. Cool Hand Luke.
In Memphis (traded Feb 2023), he had the best stretch of his career: 13.9 PPG in his final 15 games, shooting 56.3% overall. On March 24, 2023, he hit 10-of-11 threes for 30 points against Houston — a franchise record, one of the highest single-game 3PT percentages in NBA history for a player making 10+.
Signed with Atlanta for 2024–25, traded to the Lakers in February 2026, joining LeBron, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves. As of March 2026, Kennard ranks second in NBA history in career 3PT% at 44.2%, trailing only Hubert Davis. First among active players.
Where Is He Now
Luke Kennard is currently playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, shooting 49.7% from three through his first stretch in purple and gold. Eight NBA seasons across five teams. His career 44.2% from three is a number that belongs in the Hall of Fame conversation for shooting specialists.
In Franklin, the community has never forgotten. His #10 jersey was retired in 2020. The gymnasium was dedicated in his honor in 2023. He donates shoes each season, bought a shooting machine for the programs, gave scoreboards and weight room equipment. His signed Duke jersey hangs at A&G Pizza, the restaurant that becomes a watch party every time he plays on television. “I will always be just a kid from Franklin, Ohio.”
The Welcome to Franklin, Ohio, Home of Luke Kennard signs still stand at the edge of town.
Luke Kennard scored 2,997 high school points — more than LeBron. He was Ohio’s Mr. Basketball twice and the Parade National POY. He was also the state’s best QB, throwing right-handed while shooting left-handed. He went back to the gym after his first varsity game because 7-for-10 wasn’t good enough. He made one college visit: Duke. Scheyer told his family: “We brought him here to be a star.” He became an All-American and ACC Tournament MVP. He was drafted 12th. He hit 10-of-11 threes in a single game. He has the second-highest career three-point percentage in NBA history. Franklin dedicated a gymnasium in his name and posted signs at the city limits. The kid who practiced free throws at midnight because 70% wasn’t good enough has become the purest shooter in the game. Cool Hand Luke. Just a kid from Franklin.