Kennedy Blaskin

University of Lethbridge - Kennedy Blaskin

Past CMBA League: Calwest

Current School: University of Lethbridge

Accolades / Awards: Melissa Bone Memorial Award,  Division 1 Basketball City Championship, 

Current Activities/Hobbies: Painting

Questions with Lethbridge University player Kennedy Blaskin:

Q: Who is your favourite basketball player?

A: Paige Bueckers. Paige plays for Uconn women’s basketball team, she is my favourite player because she is my age and is so talented, I love watching her and trying some of her moves. Paige is very humble about her achievements which also makes her a great role model.

Q: Which basketball team do you root for?

A: Oregon Women's Basketball. My best friend Phil got signed there so now they are my number one team and then of course the Toronto raptors.

Q: Who has the best basketball uniforms of any college or pro team you like?

A: Chicago bulls 1990-1991

Q: What is your favourite basketball movie?

A: Air bud, it just goes to show that anyone can play basketball

Q: What is your favourite candy?

A: The purple box gobstoppers

Q: What is your favourite ice cream?

A: Bubble Gum, even better when there are pieces of bubble gum in it!

Q: Do you have a hobby?

A: Painting cartoon characters. I love painting cartoon characters because it calms my brain down and allows me to focus on one thing, and I’d like to think I’m pretty good at it.

Q: Do you have a favourite pregame meal before you play a basketball game?

A: Candy! But if my coaches are reading this then a healthy salad and chicken.

Q: What is your favourite basketball play?

A: A transition layup, Its weird and sounds boring but when you get an outlet to a pass to another pass to a layup it looks so good and clean!

Q: What do you love most about the game of basketball?

A: Winning

Q: Do you have a favourite memory from when you played in the CMBA?

A:  The water slides at the hotels! 

Q: What is the best piece of advice you received from a coach?

A: Don’t be scared, just go for it

Q: What is one piece of advice you would give to younger players?

A: Team 1 or 2, A or B doesn’t matter if you put in hard work it will pay off in the future.

Q: Being a youth coach yourself…” What is one piece of advice you would give youth coaches?"

A: Make sure that the younger the players that you are coaching the more emphasis you put on having fun and enjoying the game. Lots of former basketball players I know quite the game young cause they are pushed too hard into it.

Q: What basketball skill is your greatest strength?

A: Shooting, but I think I can get even more better at it.

Q: What was your biggest failure or adversity you have faced in the game, and how did you over come it?

A: In a semi final game of my grade eleven high school year, the opposing teams fans started chanting “coaches daughter” every time I got to the foul line. It made me very upset and embarrassed of who I was. Luckily I had my mom in stands and my dad on the bench and they both gave me a look that without words I knew what they were saying. I picked myself up and hit every single foul shot I took for the rest of the game. That shut them up quick!

Q: Are you a vocal leader on the court or do you lead by example? Or both?

A: In high school I was definitely a vocal and example leader, but I plan to be an example leader in university.

Q: How do you find positive ways to communicate with your teammates? To build team culture.

A:  High-fives and sending funny tiktoks to each other!

Q: What is something interesting about you that no one really knows?

A: I really like bulk barn

Q: What is your favourite class or subject in University?

A: Aboriginal health 1000, this course was filled with super interesting information and taught me a lot about how losing your culture can impact your health.

Q: What are your plans after you graduate? 

A: I have no idea! I plan to be in the medical field somehow whether that be a doctor or nurse.

Q: How are you training during the Covid-19 pandemic? To prepare for the next season.

A: With masks and lots of individual drills that we do on our own.