The Details: Shawn Kemp Jr. Making It Reign For UW
January 14, 2015 | General, Men's Basketball
By Mason Kelley
GoHuskies.com
About the time Shawn Kemp Jr. hit middle school, he realized he could dunk. In fact, not only could he elevate above the rim, it was easy.
“I could just kind of do it,” said Kemp, now a senior power forward at Washington.
He didn't grow up dreaming of the day he could bring fans out of their seats with a two-handed flush. It just sort of happened.
“It's a God-given talent, for real,” he said. “I've never worked for my jumping ability. It's definitely passed down. Genes.”
Kemp's father, the former NBA All-Star who shares a name and jersey number with his son, electrified KeyArena for years with his ability to rock the rim. Now it is the younger Kemp's turn to light up an arena, showcasing his signature dunks in a building across town from the former home of the Sonics.
In his final year with Washington, Kemp has flourished. He has overcome the injuries that slowed him down two years ago and fought off Graves Disease, which derailed his junior season.
Now he is averaging better than 10 points and four rebounds, while providing highlights people talk about on the drive home from each game.
There is something special about a dunk. Each one has the ability to energize a team and wake up an arena. When Kemp realizes “I've got a good one,” it triggers, “one of the best feelings in the world.”
Each time Kemp elevates above the rim, the comparisons come. Sharing a name, position, number and a flair for generating highlights, Kemp has gotten used to the questions about his father. But it wasn't until this season he realized how similar his dunks are to the highlight clips he has watched of his father.
Kemp's father, the former NBA All-Star who shares a name and jersey number with his son, electrified KeyArena for years with his ability to rock the rim. Now it is the younger Kemp's turn to light up an arena, showcasing his signature dunks in a building across town from the former home of the Sonics.
The father-son comparisons will continue this week with Oregon State traveling to Seattle. In a rare occurrence, two sons of former Sonics who share the names of their famous fathers – Gary Payton II plays for the Beavers – will go head-to-head Thursday at Alaska Airlines Arena.
While there will be a little extra attention on the matchup – both fathers are expected to attend the game – Kemp hasn't spent much time thinking about it.
“I don't think I've ever heard of that happening,” he said. “A lot of people have been talking about it, a lot of people. There's going to be a lot of talk about the game, because of our dads, but we've got to keep playing.”
After two seasons spent getting to this point, Kemp has worked too hard to worry about potential distractions. After a “rough” junior season, Kemp is doing everything he can to maximize every opportunity to step on the court.
There was a moment last year when he didn't know if he would be able to continue his career. After spending a week in Atlanta, he flew back to Seattle for summer workouts. He knew “things were happening to me.” He didn't feel like himself, but he had never experienced anything like it, so he was confused. He threw up after each workout. A trip up and down the floor felt like running a mile.
“They thought I was out of shape,” Kemp said. “I even thought I was out of shape.”
He eventually went to a doctor and was diagnosed with Graves Disease, an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid.
Kemp's first question after the diagnosis: “Can I still play?”
When the answer was yes, he went to work.
“It kind of messed me up mentally, but I fought through it,” he said.
His path to collegiate success hasn't always gone according to plan, but here he is, starting and contributing to a team that opened the year 11-0 before hitting a recent four-game skid.
“I feel like I can accomplish anything after getting through that,” Kemp said.
The way Kemp has played this season is a testament to the time he has invested on both his body and mindset. His leaping ability comes naturally, but the game that goes with it is the byproduct of hard work.
There is still plenty to accomplish. It is Kemp's senior season and he is still waiting for his first trip to the NCAA tournament.
So, as the Huskies look to rediscover the winning ways of their impressive start, Kemp works to do whatever it takes to get the team back on track. A few forays above the rim against the Beavers wouldn't hurt.
Each dunk gets the crowd going and, according to Kemp, “sometimes, that's what we need.”
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