As the son of a basketball coach, Marist’s Kendall Meyers has been around the game his whole life.
Meyers’ father, Michael, coached for 23 years at grammar schools and high schools on the South Side of Chicago. Kendall grew up in the stands, observing and learning.
“Being around the sport since I was little, I think definitely helped me gain knowledge of the game,” Meyers said. “I was always watching high schoolers play and I was always around the game.
“It was just picking up those small things that I think is really helping me now.”
Meyers constantly shows off his basketball IQ as a do-everything guy for Marist.
The junior forward put it all on display Friday night, finishing with 11 points, eight rebounds and five assists to help the visiting RedHawks roll to a 64-49 East Suburban Catholic Conference win over Joliet Catholic.
Charles Barnes poured in 22 points to lead Marist (25-4, 5-1). Stephen Brown finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Adoni Vassilakis scored 13 points.
Donavyn Simmons led Joliet Catholic (17-10, 3-4) with 13 points. Elias Passehl added 12. Danny Cervantes had 11 points and five rebounds, while Jayden Armstrong chipped in with nine points.
Meyers, meanwhile, has garnered a good deal of Division I interest, including offers from Northern Illinois and SIU-Edwardsville. But he was slated to come off the bench for the talented RedHawks.
Marist coach Brian Hynes appreciated Meyers’ willingness to take on that role.
“Kendall’s a multi-type player,” Hynes said. “He can shoot it, he can dribble it, he can guard, he can rebound, he can block shots. It was a tough, mature thing for him before the season. He had Division I offers and was asked to be the sixth man. He bought into that.
“But we always talk about how life has a weird way of working out. Karson goes down and I’m lucky to have Kendall.”
When Karson Thomas got injured in December, Meyers was ready to step into the starting lineup.
“At first, I was excited to get a chance to start,” Meyers said. “But I realized that at the end of the day, it’s basketball. You’ve got to do what you’ve got to do, whether you’re starting or not.
“But knowing I am playing bigger minutes, I know I can’t slack. I’ve got to be ready to replace whoever is gone.”
Leading 19-15 after one quarter, Marist started the second quarter with a 7-1 surge and stretched its advantage to 32-22 by halftime. The RedHawks led by at least eight points throughout the second half.
Meyers delivered one of the highlights of the game in the third quarter, throwing down a thunderous dunk while getting fouled and converting the 3-point play.
He also helped set up his teammates for some slams, dishing out pretty passes all night.
“I think passing is one of my underrated skills,” Meyers said. “I love getting my teammates involved and sharing the ball. It just gets everybody hyped, especially if it’s a pass for a dunk.”
Barnes was the beneficiary of a couple of Meyers’ assists. And that’s far from the only way Meyers has helped Barnes.
“Kendall is a very hard worker,” Barnes said. “I always see him after practice getting up extra shots. I shoot with him sometimes. It’s just a battle going against him every day.
“I’m grateful to have him as a teammate to go against and better myself.”
Meyers’ teammates and coaches talk often about his “high ceiling.” College recruiters also seem to be buying into that potential. Perhaps most importantly, Meyers also believes it.
“I think about it every day,” Meyers said. “I think about my future and I think I can go far. It’s super exciting. But right now, I’m trying to stay locked in on this season and doing big things with this team.
“These seniors deserve a state championship.”
