By Blake Chadwick
Coming off of a 16-6 season, the Collegiate Spartans return a lot of experience at the class 3A level. A player who will be one of the main reasons for that confidence is junior guard Kamari Jennings, a versatile scorer and leader who’s ready to take the next step.
“My biggest strengths are my ability to score on all three levels and my high basketball IQ,” Jennings said. “I can create shots for my teammates and finish from anywhere on the floor. I also understand how to read defenses and make smart decisions, which puts me and my teammates in a good position to succeed.”
Jennings has been around the game nearly his entire life, developing a deep love for basketball at an early age.
“I’ve been playing basketball since second grade,” Jennings said. “Since the time I was able to walk, I’ve been in the gym around high school basketball practices.”
As a freshman and sophomore, Jennings quickly made his mark — earning multiple all-league honors, all-state recognition, and setting the school record for most three-pointers in a season (57) during his freshman year playing for his father CJ, at Ark City.
But he’s not satisfied.
“My personal goals for this season are to be a leader on and off the court,” Jennings said. “Lock in on the defensive end, earn All-Conference and All-State honors, and continue to keep getting better throughout the season and earning more offers.”
Jennings’ focus isn’t just on individual success — he’s fully focused on helping the Spartans chase championships, especially with the help of new head coach Nate Schmitt, who precedes long-time Collegiate legend Mitch Fiegel.
“My summer with the new coaching staff was great,” Jennings said. “They came in with a lot of energy and raised a new standard for everyone. They pushed me to grow not just as a scorer but as an all-around player and leader.”
