LSU junior guard Jeanne Kenney is rarely the flashiest or most notable player court, but her role for the Lady Tigers is invaluable.
“We need Jeanne on the court,” said junior forward Theresa Plaisance. “She’s that vocal leader and energy player a team needs to feed off of and build on.”
Plaisance and Kenney have a history of playing basketball together dating back to when they were both 10 years old.
Plaisance said Kenney’s passionate style of play hasn’t changed much since then.
“Jeanne is very emotional,” Plaisance said. “Ever since I was a kid playing with her, she’s always been that emotional. Her love and passion for the game is just outstanding.”
Kenney remembered the duo deciding at a young age to play college ball together. She said once the two split ways in high school this seemed unlikely, but as fate would have it, both committed to LSU.
Most recently, Kenney led LSU past then-No. 8 Kentucky on Sunday with a career-high 22-point game in which she shot 5-for-5 from behind the arc.
It was a dream-like performance for a player who played despite battling a foot injury and the recent death of her grandfather. LSU coach Nikki Caldwell said she was unsure if Kenney would play in the game until Kenney assured the coach she was able.
“[Kenney] embodies everything that you want in a student-athlete,” Caldwell said after the contest. “Today she was one of the most courageous players that I have had the opportunity to coach in her display of just being out there on the court.”
Playing through pain is nothing new for Kenney, whose injury history dates back to her time at Saint Michael High School, where she was healthy for a single full season.
A player with a never-ending desire to be on the court, Kenney said sitting out is always frustrating, but it gives her a chance to learn the game from a different perspective.
If given the choice, however, Kenney will always choose playing time no matter how she feels, especially with an NCAA tournament bid on the line.
“At this point in the season, everybody has some pain or ailment,” Kenney said. “It is just a matter of putting it all behind you and getting out there and playing. Once you get on the court, adrenaline takes over.”
Kenney is not interested in being a star player or racking up stats. Instead, she rates her performance as a player based on the success of her team.
She has become the Lady Tigers’ assist leader with 4.4 per game, which puts her at No. 7 in the Southeastern Conference.
“Jeanne is one of the most unselfish players on this team,” Plaisance said. “In any given game, she’ll pass up her shot to get another person open.”
A constant student of the game, Kenney hopes to one day share her love and passion for the game with future players as a coach at the college level.
Kenney said she can think of nothing she’d rather do than inspire players in the way her coaches and mentors have inspired her.
“What else would I do?” Kenney asked.
“Ever since I was a kid playing with [Kenney], she’s always been that emotional. Her love and passion for the game is just outstanding.”
