By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

Last Friday, East St. John senior Jamaan Kenner officially signed with Xavier-New Orleans, where he will continue his education and basketball career.

Kenner, a 6’4 shooting guard, averaged 16 points a game as a senior for the Wildcats this past season.

“I’m ecstatic,” Kenner said. “I’m very happy about all of it. Xavier’s a great place to go, and they have a great system to play in.”

Kenner was selected first team All-District 6-5A this season. East St. John Coach Yussef Jasmine says Kenner earned that honor not only with his contributions on the court, but off of it as well.

“He definitely brought great character to the team,” said Jasmine. “We really had a team of great character kids, and he was a great leader for that group.”

His well-rounded game was part of what made him an attractive prospect to Xavier Coach Dannton Jackson.

“Jamaan in a deep 3-point shooter,” Jackson said. “He is very athletic, very rangy, and he defends well. He has a toughness on the perimeter. He can put the ball on the floor and go to the basket.”

Jasmine believes that Kenner will have little trouble adjusting to the college game, even as a freshman.

“He doesn’t have a problem with filling a role,” he said. “A lot of guys go in thinking they’re going to have the same role they had as seniors in high school, a star right away. Jamaan led us, but has a great complimentary game as well.”

Kenner’s words seem to indicate the same. He says he looks forward to bringing a hard-nosed defensive game to the Gold Rush.

Kenner played at Jesuit as a freshman, before transferring to East St. John for his sophomore season onward.

Those three years will remain memorable, Kenner says.

“I’ll always remember my teammates, and the fans, and the big games we played in,” he said.