Colgate University Athletics

 

 

For Colgate senior forward Kendall Chones, the game of basketball is more meaningful than just wins and losses; rather, it is a sport that brings a family together.  Because when you are a member of the Chones family, basketball is second-nature.

 

"Basketball was something that we played since we were little," says the senior from Cleveland, Ohio.  "We would always play against each other in the backyard.  I don't want to say that it came natural, but it was something that was ingrained in all of us since we were little."

 

Chones is one of six members of his family that have been, or currently are involved in the sport of basketball in some fashion.  His father, James Chones, was an All-American at Marquette in the 1970's, and played in the ABA and NBA for 10 seasons.  The 6'11" James, who averaged 12.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for his career, was a member of the 1979-80 Los Angeles Lakers team that won the NBA Championship.  His sister Kareeda currently works for the Milwaukee Bucks, while his other sister, Kaayala, is playing overseas in France after a stint with the WNBA's Washington Mystics and Seattle Storm.  On top of that, Kendall, who is a triplet, has two brothers that played college basketball on the Division I level, as Kyle played with Kendall at Colgate, while Kameron played at Brown University. 

 

With all of that basketball experience, it couldn't help but make Kendall a better player.

 

"We have a very close family, and we support each other," said Chones.  "We are always giving feedback to each other, and constructive criticism of what we need to work on.  Even though Kaayala is overseas in France, I still talk to her on Skype virtually every night.  It helps just to have that support system."

 

Before coming to Colgate, Kendall had a one-year stopover at Fork Union Military Academy in Virginia, where he played with his brother, Kyle.  Prior to that, however, the three Chones brothers were teammates at Orange High School in Ohio, where Kendall was a district and conference MVP.  Playing with his brothers, though, was one of the highlights of his prep career.

 

"It was fun to play with two other guys that you know you can rely on," remarked Chones.  "We knew each other's spots, comfort zones, and just where we were going to be on the court.  It was definitely a fun experience."

 

The success that Kendall has experienced at each level comes as no surprise.  He has had the benefit of developing through the support of his family, and even by taking a look at tapes of his father during his playing career.

 

"I have watched tapes of my dad," said Kendall.  "He was actually one of the first big men to step out and shoot jump shots.  He wasn't overly strong, but he had good touch and ran the floor well.  I don't have as good a jump shot as he did, so I try and make up for it by being a little bit stronger down in the post."

 

As for the future, Kendall says that as long as he is healthy, he will attempt to keep playing basketball after his eligibility is exhausted at the conclusion of the season. 

In a family where basketball has carried on from one generation to the next, Kendall Chones has certainly made his mark and created his own legacy.