LEGACY
THE KENNER LEAGUE’S FOUNDER, JOHN THOMPSON JR. (1941 - 2020) WAS A FORMER NBA PLAYER FOR THE BOSTON CELTICS, BOYS BASKETBALL COACH AT ST. ANTHONY’S HIGH SCHOOL, AND THE HEAD COACH OF THE GEORGETOWN HOYAS MEN’S BASKETBALL PROGRAM FROM 1972 - 1999.
HOYAS MEN’S BASKETBALL WAS IN DISARRAY BEFORE THOMPSON’S ARRIVAL, FINISHING THE 1971-72 SEASON WITH A RECORD OF 3-23. IN HIS 27 YEARS AS HEAD COACH, GEORGETOWN APPEARED IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT 20 TIMES, BECOMING A POWERHOUSE DIVISION I BASKETBALL PROGRAM.
NOT ONLY IS JOHN THOMPSON JR. IS HIGHLY RESPECTED IN THE BASKETBALL COMMUNITY FOR HIS SUCCESS ON THE COURT, BUT ALSO HIS STURDINESS UPON HIS BELIEFS, THE MENTORSHIP TO HIS YOUNG BLACK PLAYERS HIS outspokenness about societal issues, and his advocacy for black coaches.
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THE LEGENDARY FORMER GEORGETOWN HOYAS BASKETBALL COACH JOHN THOMPSON (1941 - 2020) LAUNCHED THE JAMES “JABBO” KENNER SUMMER LEAGUE IN THE EARLY 1980’s. ITS NAMESAKE, JAMES “JABBO” KENNER (1915 - 1983), WAS A HEAVYWEIGHT BOXER WHO became a prominent member of the washington, d.c. community, founding the boys & girls club of washington d.c. and serving as a coach and youth counselor.
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KENNER LEAGUE SEEKS TO PROVIDE A SAFE SPACE FOR LOCAL ATHLETES IN THE COMMUNITY TO SHOWCASE AND REFINE THEIR TALENTS AMONGST STRONG COMPETITION. HIGH-LEVEL BASKETBALL IS A HUGE PART OF THE CULTURE AND IDENTITY OF THE DMV TRI-STATE AREA.
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GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY ALUMS IN THE LIKES OF PATRICK EWING, ALONZO MOURNING, DIKEMBE MUTOMBO, ALLEN IVERSON, JEROME WILLIAMS, AND GREG MONROE ARE A FEW NOTABLE HOYAS THAT HAVE PARTICIPATED IN KENNER LEAGUE PLAY. SOME OTHER NOTABLE NON-HOYAS INCLUDE STEVE FRANCIS, GREIVIS VASQUEZ, GILBERT ARENAS, VICTOR OLADIPO, JOSH HART, JERAMI GRANT, KEVIN DURANT, AND DEMARCUS COUSINS.
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our growing list of sponsors includes nike, gibson performance training, sportsmarkit, and creatorshd. we continually seek new opportunities for collaborations and partnerships.
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All Kenner League games are played at Georgetown University’s McDonough Gymnasium, 1340 West Road, Washington, D.C. 20057.
ORIGIN
THE LEGENDARY FORMER GEORGETOWN HOYAS BASKETBALL COACH JOHN THOMPSON (1941 - 2020) LAUNCHED THE JAMES “JABBO” KENNER SUMMER LEAGUE IN THE EARLY 1980’s. ITS NAMESAKE, JAMES “JABBO” KENNER (1915 - 1983), WAS A HEAVYWEIGHT BOXER WHO became a prominent member of the washington, d.c. community, founding the boys & girls club of washington d.c. and serving as a coach and youth counselor.
HISTORY
GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY ALUMS PATRICK EWING, ALNZO MOURNING, DIKEMBE MUTOMBO, ALLEN IVERSON, JEROME WILLIAMS, AND GREG MONROE ARE A FEW NOTABLE HOYAS THAT HAVE PARTICIPATED IN KENNER LEAGUE PLAY. SOME NON-HOYAS INCLUDE STEVE FRANCIS, GREIVIS VASQUEZ, GILBERT ARENAS, VICTOR OLADIPO, JOSH HART, JERAMI GRANT, AND ALL-STAR FORWARDS KEVIN DURANT AND DEMARCUS COUSINS.
MISSION
KENNER LEAGUE SEEKS TO PROVIDE A SAFE SPACE FOR LOCAL ATHLETES IN THE COMMUNITY TO SHOWCASE AND REFINE THEIR TALENTS AMONGST STRONG COMPETITION. HIGH-LEVEL BASKETBALL IS A HUGE PART OF THE CULTURE AND IDENTITY OF THE DMV TRI-STATE AREA.
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
our growing list of sponsors includes nike, gibson performance training, sportsmarkit, and creatorshd. we continually seek new opportunities for collaborations and partnerships.
LOCATION
All Kenner League games are played at Georgetown University’s McDonough Gymnasium, 1340 West Road, Washington, D.C. 20057.
LEGACY
THE KENNER LEAGUE’S FOUNDER, JOHN THOMPSON JR. (1941 - 2020) WAS A FORMER NBA PLAYER FOR THE BOSTON CELTICS, BOY’S BASKETBALL COACH AT ST. ANTHONY’S HIGH SCHOOL, AND THE HEAD COACH OF THE GEORGETOWN HOYAS MEN’S BASKETBALL PROGRAM FROM 1972 - 1999.
HOYAS MEN’S BASKETBALL WAS IN DISARRAY BEFORE THOMPSON’S ARRIVAL, FINISHING THE 1971-72 SEASON WITH A RECORD OF 3-23. IN HIS 27 YEARS AS HEAD COACH, GEORGETOWN APPEARED IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT 20 TIMES, BECOMING A POWERHOUSE DIVISION I BASKETBALL PROGRAM.
NOT ONLY IS JOHN THOMPSON JR. IS HIGHLY RESPECTED IN THE BASKETBALL COMMUNITY FOR HIS SUCCESS ON THE COURT, BUT ALSO HIS STURDINESS UPON HIS BELIEFS, THE MENTORSHIP TO HIS YOUNG BLACK PLAYERS HIS outspokenness about societal issues, and his advocacy for black coaches.