Meet the 2004 Crimson Tide: Sophomore Kennedy Winston

By Chris Woodin, Media Relations

Coming into the 2003-04 season, the Alabama men's basketball team was looking for new leadership following the graduation departures of Erwin Dudley, Kenny Walker and Terrance Meade, seniors who had been starters for the Crimson Tide for four years. Sophomore forward Kennedy Winston took it upon himself to take his game to the next level. This season the Prichard (near Mobile) native has had his number called time and again when the Crimson Tide needed a big shot. Winston is currently the Tide's leading scorer at 16 points per game, is second on the team in rebounding with 5.2 boards per contest and has scored in double figures in 18 of Bama's 21 games this season.

This season when we have needed a clutch shot, you always seem to be able to step up and hit it. Is that something you take upon yourself or do your coaches stress for you to step up?

"I have always been like that since I have been playing basketball. I have always wanted to be the guy to take the shot in the end."

At what age did you start playing basketball?

"I have been playing since I started walking. But I started playing organized ball when I was nine when I started playing for a little league team."

Did you always know growing up that you wanted to play basketball or were you interested in other sports as well?

"Actually I played football from when I was four until I was thirteen. So I played both, but then I started getting taller so I stopped playing football and focused on basketball."

Who were your basketball heroes growing up?

"Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson, a lot of good players. There were a lot of them."

Is there anybody out there that you try to pattern your game after?

"Right now, probably Kobe Bryant or Tracy McGrady, somebody like that."

Before this past summer's Bahamas trip for a playing tour with the Alabama team, you were just a step away from making the Junior National Team, pulling out before the final cut and choosing to play with your Alabama teammates in Nassau in stead. Is playing international ball something you are interested in?

"The coaches had informed me that I had a tryout out there. It was a good experience playing against 50 guys out there. Fifty guys out there, 50 of the top players in the country. It was a good experience. A lot of scouts were out there. I had made it into the 16 finalists when I dropped out to come practice with us to go to the Bahamas. I probably would have played with them this summer, but last summer I felt that there were some things that I needed to work on personally with myself to get my game right. It would have taken up most of the summer playing with them, but I needed to lift weights and work to get myself better."

What is your favorite moment or game since you have been at Alabama?

"Probably when we played Oregon. (Winston had the game-winning shot). Stat wise it was my best game. It was probably the most fun I have had in a game since I have been here."

What is your most embarrassing moment on a basketball court?

"Probably missing wide open dunks, mostly in high school. I have missed a lot of dunks."

University of Alabama Athletics