Kennedy Chandler ready to make his mark at Tennessee. (SLAM Magazine)

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Christian Lowe

Christian Lowe

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'I'm a True PG': Kennedy Chandler is Ready Make His Mark at Tennessee | SLAM
Next up is the University of Tennessee—a place that already felt right to him before he even got a scholarship offer or went on an official visit. Chandler tells the story of when he visited campus as a high school freshman for the first time. There was a football game against Alabama. “They got killed,” he says of Tennessee before he burst out laughing. But the unofficial visit made a lasting impression on him regardless.

“When you go to a college, you want to see that it feels like home,” he adds. “And Tennessee felt like home on an unofficial visit. I had not [even] taken an official visit and I [already] felt comfortable with the coaches, compared to the other coaches I had visited.”

He isn’t shying away from stating exactly what he’s chasing after this upcoming season. Chandler has a list he’s hoping to check off one by one beginning this fall and going straight through the winter and next spring.

“At Tennessee, I want to come in and show them why I was the number one point guard in the nation—who’s coming into their program and why he should be here,” says Chandler. “I want to win a national championship at Tennessee. I set goals, and my goal is I want to make them come true, and my [ultimate] goal is to go to the NBA.”
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#3
#3
If he wants to stick around to win a National Championship, he’ll need to be here more than one year. He’s already got a goal of the NBA (as he should) but those two can’t always go hand in hand. Really looking forward to watching him play. If only we still had Springer and Johnson, too!
 
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#7
#7
berryvol said:
Lol
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Idk what's funny. He's undersized and not insanely athletic. Good shooter, not an elite shooter. Good ball handler, not an elite ball handler. I've seen his name going as late as the second round in mock drafts.

He reminds me of Kyle Lowry, who also played 2 years in college.
 
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#8
#8
johnfnkelly said:
Idk what's funny. He's undersized and not insanely athletic. Good shooter, not an elite shooter. Good ball handler, not an elite ball handler. I've seen his name going as late as the second round in mock drafts.

He reminds me of Kyle Lowry, who also played 2 years in college.
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I think that’s the thing though, this isn’t changing with a 2nd year…his ceiling is always only going to be so high because of those 2 things, and right now he’s getting projected about as high as he’s ever going to be, 15-20.
 
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#9
#9
bleedingTNorange said:
I think that’s the thing though, this isn’t changing with a 2nd year…his ceiling is always only going to be so high because of those 2 things, and right now he’s getting projected about as high as he’s ever going to be, 15-20.
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From what i've read, what makes him so valuable is his competitiveness/ leadership. His highlights don't really stand out to me, so i'm just waiting to see him in action on the big stage to see if those scouting reports are accurate. VQ and coaching staff seem to think they are from practice reports.
 
#10
#10
johnfnkelly said:
From what i've read, what makes him so valuable is his competitiveness/ leadership. His highlights don't really stand out to me, so i'm just waiting to see him in action on the big stage to see if those scouting reports are accurate. VQ and coaching staff seem to think they are from practice reports.
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Early Big Board: Top Prospects to Watch for 2022 NBA Draft

23. Kennedy Chandler, PG, Tennessee
Height: 6' 0" | Weight: 170 | Age: 18 | Freshman
Chandler should be an impactful floor leader out of the gate for Tennessee, with impressive speed and playmaking chops and the ability to make teammates better. He’s relied on his feel and change of pace to control games in lieu of ideal size for his position, which may wind up a major drawback when it comes to his draft stock. It helps that Chandler is a good shooter and willing defender, but his lack of physical tools and below-the-rim tendencies makes it a bit tough to project him confidently as a starting-caliber NBA guard at this stage. Still, he’s a first-round talent with a history of winning and strong intangibles and decision-making skills, and he could certainly wind up as a high-quality backup, at worst. Expect Chandler to be a difference-maker in college, regardless, but he’ll need a strong freshman year to assuage some of the concerns.


Again, there’s just not a whole lot he can do to improve his stock a ton with his measurables, come out and shoot 40%+ from 3 & 90%+ free throw probably helps some, but again, 15-20 seems to be the ceiling for him. So if he’s getting projected in the 20’s I would expect him to go after one year if that holds, or are you suggesting his stock drops?
 
#11
#11
bleedingTNorange said:
Early Big Board: Top Prospects to Watch for 2022 NBA Draft

23. Kennedy Chandler, PG, Tennessee
Height: 6' 0" | Weight: 170 | Age: 18 | Freshman
Chandler should be an impactful floor leader out of the gate for Tennessee, with impressive speed and playmaking chops and the ability to make teammates better. He’s relied on his feel and change of pace to control games in lieu of ideal size for his position, which may wind up a major drawback when it comes to his draft stock. It helps that Chandler is a good shooter and willing defender, but his lack of physical tools and below-the-rim tendencies makes it a bit tough to project him confidently as a starting-caliber NBA guard at this stage. Still, he’s a first-round talent with a history of winning and strong intangibles and decision-making skills, and he could certainly wind up as a high-quality backup, at worst. Expect Chandler to be a difference-maker in college, regardless, but he’ll need a strong freshman year to assuage some of the concerns.


Again, there’s just not a whole lot he can do to improve his stock a ton with his measurables, come out and shoot 40%+ from 3 & 90%+ free throw probably helps some, but again, 15-20 seems to be the ceiling for him. So if he’s getting projected in the 20’s I would expect him to go after one year if that holds, or are you suggesting his stock drops?
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I think his stock is riding on the success of the team. I doubt he puts up huge numbers this year, so if we have a mediocre season then yea, i think his stock drops.

If we're as good as advertised then i'd imagine KC is likely the reason, and i'd imagine he'll be in the lottery because of that.
 
#12
#12
I just recall Gary Parrish talking about when Chandler was on the final list for the cut for the U-19 USA basketball team (which he did make): I would take Kennedy Chandler all day because he is a winner and will continue to be a winner.
 
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#13
#13
johnfnkelly said:
I think his stock is riding on the success of the team. I doubt he puts up huge numbers this year, so if we have a mediocre season then yea, i think his stock drops.

If we're as good as advertised then i'd imagine KC is likely the reason, and i'd imagine he'll be in the lottery because of that.
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So when you say you see him being a 2 year player is that you saying you think we underachieve?
 
#14
#14
IMO, I think this year's team will not be as effective as next year's team.

I only say this because in reading various "expert" opinions, Ziegler, Adoo, and BHH will most likely be here next year.
If that is so, then I think this year's team will be very good, but next year's team would be E8 caliber and could help Chandler's stock rise.
 
#19
#19
This is one of the reasons I really dislike these "rankings". Kid has so many people with expectations....extremely high ones. Just wish he could ease into the role instead of being "the man" from the day he set foot on campus. Every freshman is gonna need some time to adjust to the SEC and college life. And there will be that freshman wall that always comes at some point. Hope he's the next CJ, but if not.....
 
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#20
#20
The trend chasing of taller point guards who score above the rim is definitely going to hurt him. What will help him are the recent successes of disciplined playmakers and old school coaches like TIbs and Doc Rivers. People recognize that the Popovich model of smart team players trumps talent. KC has a great first step, court vision, and strong D (both in dribble steals and passing lane). He creates offense by sensing flow, knowing his team, and pushing against defensive weaknesses. Watch how he attracts a double team pinch outside with room to pass. Watch how he uses the drive to create assists, without having to improv in the air. I don’t know whether he’s 15-20, or higher, or better in the draft next year. I just believe he has a strong set of tools that will work better as he learns his team. I’d project him getting taken by a smart blue collar coach, over more talented players.
 
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