Forward Shawn Kemp, Jr. will be a sophomore for Washington next season. With Darnell Gant graduating, Kemp will see a major increase in playing time and enter October competing with Austin Seferian-Jenkins for the backup spot at forward. RTC’s Connor Pelton had a chance to talk to Kemp this week.
Connor Pelton: Describe your game for people who didn’t get to see you play last season. Similar to your father’s?
Shawn Kemp, Jr.: Our games are kind of different. I’ve been working on my game, trying to change it up a little bit. I’m trying to be able to shoot the outside shot and also bang in the post. I mean, our game is different, but in a way it’s kind of the same. People expect to see the same but it’s not exactly identical.
Kemp, Jr. Will Get More Playing Time In 2012-13 After The Departure Of Darnell Gant (credit: Dean Rutz)
CP: You didn’t see the floor much as a freshman. Will that change in 2012-13 with Brendan Sherrer and Gant departing?
SK: It should change because we’ve had a couple big guys leave. I should be looking at a lot more time this year because I’ve been working a lot this summer. I should be on the court more.
CP: What’s your biggest strength, and what would you say you need to work on the most?
SK: My biggest strength is probably getting up and down the floor. What I plan on working on the most this summer and preseason is rebounding and getting the ball when it’s around my area.
CP: The process of your recruitment was an interesting one. You originally signed with Alabama coming out of Cherokee High School (GA), but instead had to go the not-often traveled, post-graduate high school route at Hargrave Military Academy (VA). You then signed with Auburn, but a year later you are ended up in Seattle. Can you describe how and when Washington came into the picture?
SK: After I left my prep school at Hargrave Military Academy, I decided to come back here where I was born. All my family is here. Washington’s been recruiting me ever since I was a sophomore in high school so I decided to come up here and get my grades and school right. And they gave me a chance and it worked out.
Kemp Was Declared Academically Ineligible After Signing with Both Alabama And Auburn, But Washington Stuck On Him The Entire Way
CP: What are your expectations and goals, both for yourself and the team this season?
SK: My expectations and goals for myself are to play to the best of my ability and do as much as I can to contribute to the team so we can win every game. For the team, just to go as far as possible; win the Pac-12 and get to the NCAA Tournament this year and go for the title.
CP: Thanks for your time, Shawn. Good luck this season.
SK: Thank you.
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Having a year in the system and being in better basketball shape should give Shawn a more productive season. Looking forward to watching his improvement.