Terrico White
June 16, 2022
DJ Kennedy
- Nationality: USA
- Date of Birth: 5/11/89
- Place of Birth: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (USA)
- Position: G/F
- Height (CM): 198
- Weight (KG): 98
- Junior Assoc:
- College: St. John's (2007–2011)
- NBL DEBUT: 12/10/18
- AGE AT DEBUT: 28
- LAST NBL GAME: 16/03/19
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 29
- NBL History: Melbourne 2019
- Championships: 0
- None
BIO: Dj Kennedy was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (USA), he attended Schenley High School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. As a senior in 2006/07, he averaged 17.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.0 blocks per game. In helping the Spartans to a 29-3 record, and the 2007 PIAA AAAA State championship, he earned a first team all-state selection, a first team all-city selection and a two-time Pittsburgh Post-Gazette “Fabulous Five” selection.
NBL EXPERIENCE
Dj Kennedy made his NBL debut with the Melbourne United at 28 years of age. He scored 21 points in his first game.
After defeating Adelaide 3-2 in the 2018 Grand Final series, Melbourne entered the season looking to defend its championship. United retained captain Chris Goulding (two-year deal), David Barlow (one-year deal), Josh Boone (one-year deal) and Casper Ware (one-year deal), with Boone and Ware returning despite strong overseas interest. Casey Prather (to BC Khimki), Tai Wesley (to New Zealand), David Andersen (to Illawarra), Majok Majok (to New Zealand) and Kyle Adnam (to Sydney) departed, while DJ Kennedy (via Turkey) was signed on September 9 as Melbourne’s third and final import alongside Ware and Boone. He arrived from Pınar Karşıyaka to fill the role vacated by Prather after recently being named MVP of The Basketball Tournament while helping Overseas Elite win a fourth consecutive title, while Mitch McCarron (via Cairns), Alex Pledger (via New Zealand) and Daniel Trist (via Spain) were also added.
During the preseason, Melbourne travelled to North America for two NBLxNBA games. United lost 104-84 to Philadelphia, where the new import (4 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 steals) injured his foot and subsequently spent a week in a moon boot. He did not play in Melbourne’s second game while recovering, a 120-82 loss to Toronto.
Despite the injury concerns, he made his NBL debut against Illawarra on October 12 and finished with 21 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block as Melbourne survived four overtimes to defeat the Hawks 123-122. Boone (24 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 blocks) and Goulding (23 points and 3 assists) led United alongside him, while Todd Blanchfield (26 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block) was Illawarra’s leading scorer.
Kennedy (12.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.2 steals across 31 games) developed into one of Melbourne’s most versatile players, contributing as a scorer, rebounder and secondary playmaker. He appeared in 25 of Melbourne’s 28 regular-season games and all six playoff games. Two days after the four-overtime opener, he missed Melbourne’s championship banner celebration against New Zealand after leaving the Illawarra game with an ankle injury, with the troublesome foot problem he had carried out of the NBLxNBA series still not responding as hoped.
His best scoring game came against Sydney on November 5, where Kennedy (24 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block) produced his best performance of the season to that point on his birthday and led Melbourne to a 77-70 win in front of more than 10,000 fans. McCarron (14 points and 9 rebounds) and Barlow (11 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals) provided support, while Kevin Lisch (15 points) and Jerome Randle (15 points) led Sydney and Andrew Bogut (8 points, 15 rebounds, and 3 blocks) controlled the boards.
Melbourne opened the season 3-2 before going 6-1 during November, but injuries continued to interrupt the team’s continuity. A minor car accident in early January left Kennedy suffering whiplash, headaches and blurred vision, forcing him to miss games against Brisbane on January 6 and Cairns on January 13. Those were his only other absences for the season. Melbourne later added Venky Jois (via Japan) to provide additional frontcourt depth during its injury problems.
On February 3, Kennedy (23 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal) helped Melbourne overcome a 15-point deficit and defeat New Zealand 111-102 in overtime to secure a playoff berth. McCarron (25 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals) led United in scoring and Ware (16 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) took over during overtime, while Shawn Long (28 points, 15 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) led New Zealand and Corey Webster (16 points and 2 steals) hit the late three-pointer which forced overtime.
Kennedy’s best all-around game came in Melbourne’s final regular-season game against Perth on February 17, where he finished with 21 points, 15 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 block and made 10 of 11 free throws as United defeated the Wildcats 81-70 in overtime. McCarron (15 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 steals) provided support, while Nick Kay (22 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 steals) led Perth and Bryce Cotton (11 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists) was held to 11 points.
Ware (18.8 points and 4.5 assists) led Melbourne in scoring and finished second in MVP voting before being selected to the All-NBL First Team, while Goulding (14.4 points), McCarron (11.6 points and 5.1 rebounds), Barlow (11.1 points and 4.6 rebounds), Boone (10.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks) and Pledger (6.4 points and 4.4 rebounds) gave United one of the league’s deepest rotations. Dean Vickerman won Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season as Melbourne finished second with an 18-10 record.
Melbourne opened the semifinals against Sydney with a 95-73 win at Melbourne Arena, with Kennedy (20 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block), Ware (22 points, 4 rebounds, and 7 assists) and Goulding (17 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) leading United. Brad Newley (17 points and 3 assists), Lisch (13 points, 3 assists, and 2 steals) and Randle (13 points) led Sydney, while Bogut (7 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 blocks) was held quiet offensively.
Game two moved to Sydney, where Kennedy (10 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 steal) helped Melbourne complete the sweep with a 90-76 victory. Ware (30 points and 5 rebounds) and Goulding (23 points and 3 assists) led United, while Lisch (13 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists), Adnam (13 points) and Bogut (10 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks) led Sydney as Melbourne advanced to a second consecutive Grand Final.
Perth opened the Grand Final series with an 81-71 win at RAC Arena. Kennedy (11 points, 3 assists, and 1 steal) made a strong start before taking the top of Angus Brandt’s shoulder to his chin while trying to negotiate a screen during the second quarter, leaving him visibly dazed and requiring assistance from the court. He passed the league’s concussion protocol and returned after halftime, while Ware (19 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) and Goulding (15 points) led Melbourne. Terrico White (19 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals), Brandt (14 points and 7 rebounds) and Cotton (10 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 steals) led Perth.
Kennedy (12 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) showed no ill effects from the head knock in game two and helped Melbourne level the series with a 92-74 win at Melbourne Arena. Goulding (14 points), Ware (14 points) and McCarron (13 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists) were also in double figures, while Cotton (19 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists) and White (17 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) led Perth. With United attempting to win consecutive championships, Kennedy said, “That’s the reason I came here … I’m passionate about winning so this would be big for me.”
The series returned to Perth for game three, where Kennedy (13 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal) and Barlow (13 points and 5 rebounds) were Melbourne’s leading scorers, but the Wildcats dominated 96-67 to move ahead 2-1. White (31 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists) made seven three-pointers and Cotton (16 points, 4 rebounds, 10 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block) controlled the game for Perth.
In game four, Kennedy (6 points and 5 rebounds), Ware (18 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block), Goulding (15 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) and Barlow (15 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals) led Melbourne, but Perth won 97-84 to claim the championship 3-1. Cotton (28 points, 4 assists, and 4 steals), White (20 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Kay (12 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) led the Wildcats, with White named Grand Final MVP after averaging 21.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.3 assists across the four games.
Dj Kennedy played one season in the NBL. He averaged 12.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in 30 NBL games.
NBL TOTAL STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | 29 | Melbourne | 18-10 (2) | 30 | 874.3 | 377 | 216 | 95 | 62 | 154 | 35 | 19 | 39 | 74 | 129 | 296 | 44% | 20 | 47 | 43% | 99 | 121 | 82% | 53% | 47% | 24 | Totals | 30 | 874 | 377 | 216 | 95 | 62 | 154 | 35 | 19 | 39 | 74 | 129 | 296 | 43.6% | 20 | 47 | 42.6% | 99 | 121 | 81.8% | 54% | 47% | 24 |
NBL PER GAME STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | 29 | Melbourne | 18-10 (2) | 30 | 29.1 | 12.6 | 7.2 | 3.2 | 2.1 | 5.1 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 1.3 | 2.5 | 4.3 | 9.9 | 44% | 0.7 | 1.6 | 43% | 3.3 | 4.0 | 82% | 53% | 47% | 24 | Total | 30 | 29.1 | 12.6 | 7.2 | 3.2 | 2.1 | 5.1 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 1.3 | 2.5 | 4.3 | 9.9 | 43.6% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 42.6% | 0.7 | 1.6 | 81.8% | 54% | 47% | 24 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 24 | 15 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
|---|
NBA EXPERIENCE
Kennedy played 2 games in the NBA. He averaged 6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game over his NBA career.
NBA TRANSACTIONS:
- April 21, 2012: Signed as a free agent with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
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July 25, 2012: Traded by the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Memphis Grizzlies for Jeremy Pargo, cash and a 2014 2nd round draft pick (Vasilije Micić was later selected).
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September 18, 2012: Waived by the Memphis Grizzlies.
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September 29, 2012: Signed as a free agent with the Memphis Grizzlies.
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October 7, 2012: Waived by the Memphis Grizzlies.
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September 10, 2013: Signed as a free agent with the Dallas Mavericks.
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October 22, 2013: Waived by the Dallas Mavericks.
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August 16, 2016: Signed a contract with the Denver Nuggets
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October 15, 2016: Waived by the Denver Nuggets.
| Season | Team | PTS | AST | STL | BLK | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 75% | 90% | 87% | 86% | ||||||
| 2 | 0 | 24 | 7 | 4 | 2 | ||||||
| Total | 129 | 296 | 43.6% | 20 | 47 | 42.6% |
NBA TOTAL STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011-12 | 22 | Cleveland | SF | 2 | 0 | 59 | 12 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 5 | 12 | 42% | 2 | 4 | 50% | 0 | 2 | 0% | 47% | 50% | Total | 2 | 0 | 59 | 12 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 5 | 12 | 42% | 2 | 4 | 50% | 0 | 2 | 0% |
NBA PER GAME STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011-12 | 22 | Cleveland | SF | 2 | 0 | 29.5 | 6.0 | 3.5 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 1.5 | 3.5 | 2.5 | 6.0 | 42% | 1.0 | 2.0 | 50% | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0% | 47% | 50% | Total | 2 | 0 | 29.5 | 6.0 | 3.5 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 3.5 | 2.5 | 6.0 | 42% | 1.0 | 2.0 | 50% | 1.0 | 0% |
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- China - Guangzhou Long-Lions (2016–2017) | France - BCM Gravelines-Dunkerque (2013) | Germany - Riesen Ludwigsburg (2014–2015, 2017) | Israel - Hapoel Holon (2014), Hapoel Galil Elyon (2022, 2024, 2025) | Italy - Reyer Venezia (2019) | Lebanon - Homenetmen Beirut (2025) | Philippines - Meralco Bolts (2024–2025) | Russia - Krasny Oktyabr (2014), Enisey (2015–2016) | Turkey - Pınar Karşıyaka (2017–2018, 2019–2021) | Ukraine - Prometey (2021–2024)
Kennedy joined BCM Gravelines-Dunkerque for the 2013–14 LNB Pro A season, playing his first season in France.
Kennedy moved to Israel in January 2014 after signing with Hapoel Holon in the Israeli Basketball Premier League.
Kennedy joined Krasny Oktyabr for the 2014–15 VTB United League season in Russia, signing on September 1, 2014, and he left the club on November 18, 2014 after appearing in six games before signing with MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg in Germany on December 6, 2014 for the remainder of the season.
In the 2014–15 German BBL season with Ludwigsburg, Kennedy averaged 17.8 points per game to lead the league in scoring and he was recognised as the BBL Best Offensive Player and an All-BBL First Team selection in 2015.
Kennedy returned to Russia for the 2015–16 season with Enisey, then moved to China for the 2016–17 season with the Guangzhou Long-Lions, before a 2017 return to MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg in Germany.
Kennedy joined Pınar Karşıyaka for the 2017–18 Turkish season after signing on August 11, 2017, and in the 2017–18 Basketball Champions League he averaged 19.0 points and 8.4 rebounds across 18 games while finishing as the competition’s rebounding leader and earning BCL Star Lineup Best Team recognition in 2018.
On March 22, Kennedy (to Reyer Venezia) signed for the remainder of the Italian Serie A season as cover for injured forward Deron Washington he was part of the Venezia squad that won the 2018–19 Italian League championship later that season..
Kennedy returned to Pınar Karşıyaka for the 2019–20 and 2020–21 seasons in Turkey, then signed with Prometey Kamianske on September 24, 2021 for the Ukrainian SuperLeague before joining Hapoel Galil Elyon in Israel on March 9, 2022, where he won the Balkan International Basketball League title in 2022.
Kennedy re-joined Prometey for the 2022–23 season in the Latvian-Estonian League and helped the club win the 2022–23 league title, and his later overseas stops included Meralco Bolts in the Philippines in 2024 and Homenetmen Beirut in Lebanon in 2025 before returning to Hapoel Galil Elyon in 2025.
COLLEGE
DJ Kennedy played four collegiate seasons at St. John’s from 2007–08 through 2010–11, appearing in 128 games and developing into one of the program’s most complete and versatile perimeter players of the modern era. Over his career, he totaled 1,176 points, 806 rebounds, 265 assists, and 196 steals, finishing among the school’s career leaders in rebounds and steals while providing consistent production on both ends of the floor.
As a freshman in 2007–08, Kennedy immediately stepped into the rotation and finished second on the team with 37 steals, including 20 in BIG EAST play. He appeared in 30 games with 29 starts and averaged 7.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.2 steals per game, establishing himself early as a defensive presence and reliable rebounder on the wing.
Kennedy’s role expanded significantly as a sophomore in 2008–09, when he started all 31 games and increased his averages to 9.6 points and 6.2 rebounds per game while continuing to defend multiple positions. He finished among the team leaders in minutes played and rebounds, helping St. John’s reach the BIG EAST Tournament quarterfinals.
During his junior season in 2009–10, Kennedy emerged as one of the Red Storm’s primary offensive options, averaging 12.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game while leading the team in rebounds. His all-around production placed him among the top rebounding guards and wings in the BIG EAST, and he recorded multiple double-doubles against conference opponents while routinely drawing defensive assignments against opposing top scorers.
Kennedy capped his collegiate career with his most accomplished season as a senior in 2010–11, averaging 14.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 2.1 steals per game while starting all 36 contests. He ranked among the BIG EAST leaders in steals and minutes played, earned All-BIG EAST Honorable Mention recognition, and was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll multiple times throughout the season.
That senior campaign was highlighted by St. John’s run to the 2011 NCAA Tournament, where the Red Storm reached the Round of 32. Kennedy delivered a standout performance in the first round against Gonzaga, posting 17 points and 14 rebounds, one of the most productive NCAA Tournament games by a St. John’s wing player in program history. He followed that performance with another strong showing in the second round against BYU as St. John’s pushed a nationally ranked opponent deep into the game.
Across his four-year career, Kennedy finished as one of the few players in school history to surpass 1,100 points, 800 rebounds, and 190 steals, reflecting his sustained two-way impact. He closed his time at St. John’s as the program’s all-time leader in steals per game among four-year players during the BIG EAST era and ranked inside the school’s top ten in career rebounds by a guard/wing.
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