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Isnord takes Prague chance

Wilkenson “Kenny” Isnord in action.

Wilkenson “Kenny” Isnord in action.

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

Wilkenson “Kenny” Isnord is set for a new opportunity to continue his basketball career in Europe through the Raw Talent Elite organisation.

The Abaco native will join Get Better Academy (GBA) in Prague, Czech Republic as he looks to make his transition from the prep ranks.

According to the organisation, GBA is “a private international basketball academy which through effective training programs specializes in maximising basketball potential of its players”. Their mission statement is geared towards helping players “individually develop players and based on their goals provide them with opportunities to either sign a professional contract or receive a full scholarship to American University.”

GBA has facilitated more than 25 players through its programme to NCAA Division I programmes and professional leagues throughout Europe in recent years.

Faced with uncertainty during the summer months, Isnord said he found a new opportunity when he joined Raw Talent, an organisation spearheaded by Bahamian pro player Jaraun “Kino” Burrows. Raw Talent targets elite level Bahamian prospects and facilitates their progression to professional or collegiate opportunities. It also serves as a training ground for professional and collegiate players.

Under the Raw Talent label, Dominick Bridgewater signed a Junior Pro contract with the FOS Provence Basketball Byers Club in France and has competed in the club’s Epoirs (Junior League - U21).

“Kino Burrows reached out to me and spoke about an opportunity in France at an academy, a place where the main focus would be on the development of my skills. I saw what he did with Domnick Bridgewater and all the success he achieved all in just a year so I trusted him and went with it,” Isnord said, “I went to France in September of 2019 with nothing and by God’s grace came back with a few options on the table. We chose The GBA in Prague, Czech Republic because it’s the best fitting situation for me, the development of my skills and the future of my career.”

Isnord joined Raw Talent and competed with the team during the Bahamas Basketball Federation’s Summer of Thunder.

“It’s been a great experience since joining Raw Talent,” he said, “I got the opportunity to compete and play against many high level D1 schools like Georgetown and Memphis in the Summer of Thunder. I got the chance to travel to Europe and see how life is on the other side of the world, learn about their culture and see how they view the game of basketball and now I’m on my way to The GBA in Prague, where there is much work to be done.”

In early 2019, Isnord was a fast rising prospect in the Florida AAU prospect. He committed to join the Florida International University Golden Panthers out of DME Academy in Daytona, Florida. Isnord chose FIU over Appalachian State, Florida Gulf Coast and Virginia Commonwealth University. He also drew interest from Virginia Tech, Masachusettes and Louisiana Tech. Eligibility issues prevented Isnord from taking the opportunity with FIU and had to re-evaluate the next step in his career, prior to joining Raw Talent.

During this time period, he was at home in Abaco and survived the ravages of Hurricane Dorian along with his family. Like many residents of the island, the Isnords lost their home in the storm.

“The worst part of the storm was watching my little sister and my mom holding on to each other in the bathroom while me and my dad stood blocking the door from all the water entering the room and debris flying around the house,” he said. “I couldn’t believe it when the roof started lifting and I could see the outside of the house. I was trying to stay calm but on the inside, I was losing it because I was seeing the people you love the most in this world scared for their lives and you can’t do anything about it. It hurts, but God kept us safe.”

Isnord first started to receive high major offers from Division I programmes, following his standout summer on the AAU circuit with Showtime Ballers during his junior season.

Scouts and pundits raved about his athletic ability impacting both ends of the floor. Other schools involved in his recruitment included Boston College, University of Buffalo, St Bonaventure, and James Madison.

Isnord reclassified to the 2019 class last summer and joined the Showtime Ballers AAU team for the current live recruitment period after playing alongside fellow Bahamian and Texas Longhorn Kai Jones on Team Breakdown.

Prior to his prep season at DME Academy, Isnord concluded his high school career with the Blanche Ely Tigers in Pompano Beach, Florida.

He was also named All-Broward Third Team for Boys’ 9A-7A Schools by the Sun Sentinel, and through 30 games he averaged 6.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game as the Tigers claimed the Class 8A state title.

Prior to his time at Blanche Ely, he played for J.P. Taravella High School and joined the stacked Florida Vipers Under-16 Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) team on the Under Armor Circuit.

An athletic 6’9” forward known for playing above the rim on both ends of the floor, Isnord said his game has grown exponentially since he transitioned to the US and looks for even further development at GBA.

“I was 16 when I realised in order to get to where I wanted to be and achieve my goals I’d have to make that move and go off to school. The transition to the US wasn’t that bad off the court, honestly, I was just happy and blessed to be there. On the court was tough because everybody was better than me and at the time I was just learning how to play. I was 6’4” in the 11th grade riding the bench, getting clowned when I got in the games because I would travel, drop a nice pass or kick the ball off my foot whenever I tried to dribble or make a move,” he said, “It was tough but life has never been easy and adversity was not new to me so I just kept on fighting because I knew, in the end, all my hard work would pay off.”

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