Published: January 2, 2007
By Brian Taylor
No seriously. What happened to this guy?
This year’s New Jersey Nets really has only one holdover from the early 2000’s (it’s 07’, I can say that now), and that’s the timeless Jason Kidd. During their peak seasons, the Nets had guys like Kenyon Martin, a law abiding Stephen Jackson and a slim 2-guard from Villanova, Kerry Kittles.
When a lot of rookies come into the league, especially lottery picks, they get the “he’s he next _____” tag. For the 6’5” Kittles, it was Reggie Miller. From the way he shot to his couldn’t-see-him-if-he-stood-sideways frame, Kittles was one of those “glue guys” who never had a huge physical presence, but played an important part on Eastern Conference title teams.
In the 1996 Draft, one of the best in recent times, you had guys like Starbury, Kobe Bean, Ray Allen, the Answer and Steve Nash. Kerry Kittles fell to the Nets in the 8th spot, and had decent numbers in his rookie campaign (16ppg, 3ast). Kittles was sick at ‘Nova, owning 15 all-time career records at the school.
But regarding the Miller comparison, Kerry set a rookie record for heisting shots from downtown, leading the Nets in attempts (158 out of 419). With a guy like Jason Kidd controlling the floor, and an inside threat like a healthy Kenyon Martin, there were plenty of wide open opportunities for Kittles in New Jersey.
Kerry fell victim to the all too familiar “knee-injury/was-never-the-same-again” virus that hits a select few guys every season. Right now, folks thought it was going to happen to Amare Stoudamire with his microfracture surgery, but he’s been beasting again out in PHX, so he’s safe.
In Los Angeles, Kerry never really caught on, with Elton Brand, Corey Maggette and Shaun Livingston getting burn and doing well. Kerry never came back from his surgery all the way and had to wrap up his career early in 2005.
Word has it that Kittles is now doing PR work for the Nets, where he had his best moments as an NBA’er and will probably be remembered most.
But when he was ballin’ Kerry handled his business, helping the Nets go from a “good team” out east, to a two-time conference champion. Check him soaring for an Alley-Coop right here.
7 Comments on "Hey! Whatever Happened To Kerry Kittles?"
Mary on Tue, 2nd Jan 2007 4:04 pm
You know I couldn’t help but notice that KK looks a little bit like you. Was this partial similarity the reason for this weeks, “what ever happened to..”? I remember Kerry very well from his college days. He would kill you from behind the arc. He had a great stint in NJ, they should have never traded him. But that was back in the day when nobody wanted to admit Kidd wasn’t getting it done, so they let him and Coach Scott go. Another good one B.
Ryan on Tue, 2nd Jan 2007 9:07 pm
thanks for another great blast from the past! While reading through this article I couldn’t help but chuckle and think about the Slam cover with Kittles, Van Horn, Martin and Sam I Am.
That You Tube clip was sick! Nice find B Teezy
Austin on Wed, 3rd Jan 2007 1:18 am
“Champs by 2001: Count on it”
http://slamonline.com/online/2006/08/slam-25/
The funny thing is that they almost came close once they finally got Jason Kidd, but I hardly think the guys at SLAM called that one.
Lance LOwe on Wed, 16th Apr 2008 12:46 pm
hey i went to high school with Kerry and he was ice cold in high school and definitely at Nova and he was up and coming in the pros but he just dissappeared and I wanna know where the hell he is…..he used to be my hero LOL
Kerry Kittles « RFP on Mon, 2nd Jun 2008 5:50 am
[...] By the way, RFPoftheDay.com isn’t the only site wondering whatever happened to Kerry Kittles. Hoopsaddict.com recently published an article appropriately titled “Hey! Whatever Happened to Kerry Kittles?“ [...]
Karie on Sun, 14th Sep 2008 5:02 pm
I want to know what happened to kerry kittles? I grew up with him & his family, lived right across the street from them in New Orleans his dad coached football with kerry’s lil bro. & my older brother. Kerry always had a b ball in his hands. I hope he & his famil are doin well, extremely good people… Karie,
steve h on Thu, 13th Nov 2008 10:00 pm
He was my idle and is now a part time scout for the nets, living in north jersey.