UAB adds georgia prep guard rj kennedy to 2024 class

MAY 29, 2024 - BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA

By Steve Irvine

His path toward Division I basketball was far from easy. But, in the end, it’s worked out for UAB signee RJ Kennedy.

The 6-foot-2, 180-pound guard, who is the final piece of the scholarship puzzle for Andy Kennedy’s fifth UAB team, was Georgia’s Class 4A Player of the Year as a senior at Fayette County High. No scholarship offers came so he enrolled at Middle Georgia Prep in Barnesville. Until late last week, it appeared that his next stop would likely be at a junior college.

“I thought I’d be coming out of high school with an offer,” said RJ Kennedy, who averaged 23.6 points per game as a senior. “I ended up going to Middle Georgia Prep with Coach (Aaron) Tribbey. I like how he taught me. “We went 42-6, I averaged (23) points, was killing it there. I did the work every day. After the season, recruiting was still slow. I’m thinking what am I doing wrong? But it ended up turning out great and I’m excited going to UAB.”

RJ Kennedy said his experience – on and off the court – will be helpful as he moves to the next level.

“Prep is definitely a grind, especially at Middle Georgia,” RJ Kennedy said. “Coach (Tribbey) holds us to a high standard. We’re in the gym every day, before classes.  (The 48-game season is) a lot of games. I’d never played that many games. You’re playing games in and out, sometimes you have back-to-back days. You just stay focused, stay locked in. It’s postgrad, so we’re all in apartments and stuff. You have to stay focused.”

RJ Kennedy said it was a dead period for visitors when his recruitment to UAB heated up. So, instead of a visit, he had a zoom call with Andy Kennedy and the UAB coaches. He won’t actually get to see the campus and facilities until the players report in June. In this case, though, he learned all he needed to know to make his decision.

“I liked what Coach Andy Kennedy had to say, what Coach (Ryan) Cross had to say,” RJ Kennedy said. “I liked how Coach Andy talked about developing his guards. He showed us stats on the PowerPoint – how they start and how they grew with him, how he lets them grow, how he lets them develop and rock out. I think all of that fits me pretty good. I think he’ll develop me into a great guard.”

RJ Kennedy still needs a bit of a history lesson on the program.

“I’m going to be real, not too much,” RJ Kennedy said when asked how much prior knowledge he had about the program. “I knew they made it to the Dance. I heard of Eric Gaines before because I live in Georgia. His name rings a little bit in Georgia. I knew about the Jordan Walker dude. He’s nice. I’ve seen his highlights. That’s really all I know.”

Andy Kennedy said he’s excited to add RJ to the program.

“He's an explosive guard who competes every day on both sides of the ball,” Andy Kennedy said in a press release on the signing. “He led Middle Georgia Prep to over 40 wins last season with his ability as a dynamic playmaker.  And, you can never go wrong adding another Kennedy to the UAB basketball family."

RJ Kennedy said he was a combo guard throughout high school. He set a Middle Georgia Prep single season record with 948 points while shooting 52 percent from the field and 42 percent from 3-point range while playing point guard at Middle Georgia Prep. No matter where he lines up, though, he brings the same mindset.

“I describe myself as a winner,” said RJ Kennedy, who led his team to the state championship game as a senior. “I like to win. I like to help the program, just by winning. I want to go win. I want to make it far. I can play defense, I can play offense, I can score, too.”