Jarrod Daniel Kenny (born 17 September 1985) is a New Zealand former professional basketball player. He played 21 seasons in the New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL) between 2004 and 2024, including 14 with the Hawke's Bay Hawks and winning a NZNBL championship with the Otago Nuggets in 2020. He played seven seasons in the Australian National Basketball League (NBL), winning two NBL championships with the Perth Wildcats in 2016 and 2017. He represented the New Zealand Tall Blacks between 2009 and 2021.

Early life Kenny was born in Auckland, New Zealand. He attended Westlake Boys High School.

Professional career New Zealand NBL Kenny made his debut in the New Zealand NBL for the Harbour Heat in 2004, playing a handful of games at the end of the season. He played every game and started all but two for the Heat in 2005, subsequently earning the New Zealand NBL Young Player of the Year Award. He played for the Heat until 2008.

Kenny joined the Hawke's Bay Hawks in 2009 and played the next seven seasons with the team.Basketball: Hawks itching to spread wings against Giants

After a season with the Nelson Giants in 2016,Tall Blacks point guard Jarrod Kenny joins Nelson Giants for 2016 NBL seasonKenny adds final piece to Nelson Giants' player roster jigsawNew Giant Kenny hoping for an instant reversal against Taranaki on SaturdayPlayer statistics for Jarrod Kenny – 2016 Kenny returned to the Hawks for the 2017 season.Basketball: Kenny and Bartlett sign for HawksNBL: Hawks Sign Tall Blacks, Will Win Games On 1 April 2017, he recorded 22 points and 15 assists in the Hawks' 102–91 loss to the Wellington Saints.Basketball: Wellington Saints hold off Bay Hawks to stay unbeaten in NBL

Kenny continued on with the Hawks in 2018Basketball: Seasoned trio return to bolster Hawks and 2019.HAWKS CAPTAIN RETURNS

In June 2020, Kenny was acquired by the Otago Nuggets for the 2020 season. In his 19th season in the league, he won his first championship and earned co-Defensive Player of the Year honours alongside Izayah Le'afa.

Kenny returned to the Hawks in 2021 and continued on in 2022, 2023 and 2024.

Australian NBL and Germany After being part of the New Zealand Breakers squad during the 2013–14 NBL season, Kenny had a short stint with Licher BasketBären during the 2014–15 German ProB season.Licher BasketBären verpflichten Neuseeländer Jarrod Kenny The Licher Basket Baeren Get Jarrod Kenny

On 1 September 2015, Kenny signed with the Perth Wildcats for the 2015–16 NBL season.Tall Blacks guard Jarrod Kenny completes Perth Wildcats NBL rosterHugh Greenwood's AFL defection has Perth Wildcats eyeing Jarrod Kenny He saw plenty of court time in his rookie season, particularly during the first half of the year with Damian Martin injured. He helped the Wildcats win the NBL championship.

On 11 May 2016, Kenny re-signed with the Wildcats on a three-year deal. He missed time early in the 2016–17 NBL season with a groin strain. Despite his minutes decreasing, Kenny remained a crucial figure for the WildcatsLast Kiwi standing Jarrod Kenny warms to his task with peerless Perth Wildcats as he helped the team win back-to-back championships.

In January of the 2017–18 season, Kenny began playing in career-best form. His scoring improved by nearly six points per game, while his percentage from beyond the arc spiked by almost 30 per cent.Jarrod Kenny in career-high form On 22 April 2018, the Wildcats parted ways with Kenny after opting not to take the club option on his contract.Thank you Jarrod Kenny

On 26 April 2018, Kenny signed with the Cairns Taipans.Cairns confirm Kenny, signs for two years He played the next four seasons with the Taipans.

National team career In July 2009, Kenny was named in his first New Zealand Tall Blacks squad. He made his debut at the 2009 FIBA Oceania Championship.Anthony to join Tall Blacks side

Kenny's next stints with the Tall Blacks were at the 2011 FIBA Oceania Championship, 2012 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament, 2013 FIBA Oceania Championship, 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup, and 2015 FIBA Oceania Championship. He was ruled out of the Tall Blacks' 2016 Olympic campaign due to injury.KENNY A RELUCTANT WITHDRAWL [sic] FROM TALL BLACKS TOURTall Blacks lose Jarrod Kenny head of their tour giving them last shot at Olympics qualification

Kenny's final stints with the Tall Blacks came at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers and the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers.

Personal life Kenny is the son of Danny and Liz Kenny. His fiancé, Ailbhe Madden, is Irish.Basketball: Duo cut away from cup dreamKenny rapt to be getting back on court

Kenny graduated from Auckland University of Technology in 2009 with a physiotherapy degree.

In November 2022, Kenny was appointed general manager of the Hawke's Bay Hawks. He was named the NZNBL General Manager of the Year for the 2025 season.

References

External links

Perth Wildcats player profile FIBA.com profile "Leading from the point" at nbl.com.au "Tall Blacks guard Jarrod Kenny jumps at chance to play in revamped New Zealand NBL" at stuff.co.nz "Persistence pays off for Jarrod Kenny as he secures new Cairns deal to go with NBL title" at stuff.co.nz "Back Chat: Jarrod Kenny on 20 years of NBL hoops, guarding the greats and what's next" at stuff.co.nz