Kent Bazemore Jr’s journey from undrafted rookie to NBA stardom is one that many people have doubted along the way. Kent’s professional career started with him playing in the D-League and overseas before finally getting his chance to play in the NBA. Kent has defied all odds and continues to work hard every day to improve his game. We sat down with Kent to talk about his life, basketball, and how he plans on leading the Atlanta Hawks back to the playoffs.
Kenneth Lamont “Kent” Bazemore Jr. was born July 1, 1989. He is a professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association for the Los Angeles Lakers. Bazemore received the Lefty Driesell Award as a junior at Old Dominion University in 2010–11, which is presented to the top defensive player in college basketball.
Early Life And Family Background Of Kent Bazemore
Kent Bazemore was born on July 1, 1989, in Kelford, North Carolina. Kent’s father was a high school basketball coach and his mother was a math teacher. Kent has two older sisters. Moreover, Kent’s parents divorced when Kent was eight years old. Kent’s father remarried when Kent was eleven. Furthermore, Kent’s stepmother is also a math teacher. Kent attended Bertie High School in Windsor, North Carolina. Again, Kent played point guard and shooting guard for Bertie’s varsity basketball team.
Kent helped lead Bertie to the state semifinals as a senior in 2007. Moreover, Kent was named the Roanoke Chowan News-Herald Player of the Year. And the Northeastern Carolina Conference Player of the Year. Following high school, Kent attended Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. Kent played for Old Dominion’s basketball team for four seasons from 2007 to 2011. Kent helped lead Old Dominion to the NCAA Tournament as a junior in 2010.
As a senior, Kent was popular as the Colonial Athletic Association Defensive Player of the Year. Following graduation, Kent began his professional basketball career with the Golden State Warriors in 2012. Also, Kent has also played for the Los Angeles Lakers, Atlanta Hawks, and Charlotte Hornets.
College Career Of Kent Bazemore
The 2007–08 season was a redshirt for Bazemore, a 6’5″ shooting guard from Kelford, North Carolina. Bazemore was a vital rotation player for the Monarchs as a freshman in 2008–09, averaging 4.5 points and 3.1 rebounds per game as ODU won the CollegeInsider.com Tournament.
He moved into the starting lineup as a sophomore and was a key component of the Colonial Athletic Association regular-season and tournament champions. Bazemore had an 8.4-point, 3.4-assist, 4.2-rebounds, and 1.9-steals per-game average. That season, he got to the CAA All-Defensive team.
Old Dominion won the tournament again as a junior and advanced to the NCAA tournament, where they were defeated 60–58 by eventual national runner-up Butler. Bazemore was selected the CAA Defensive Player of the Year and second-team All-Conference after averaging 12.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.2 steals per game. In addition, He was popular national notoriety when he won the Lefty Driesell Award, which is given to the best defensive player in the country.
Professional Career Of Kent Bazemore
Golden State Warriors (2012–2014)
After going undrafted in the 2012 NBA draft, Bazemore played in the Orlando Summer League for the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Las Vegas Summer League for the Golden State Warriors. He joined Golden State on July 26. Several times during his rookie season, he went to the NBA Development League’s Santa Cruz Warriors. In a defeat against the Chicago Bulls on March 15, 2013, he set a season-best with 14 points.
Bazemore returns to Golden State in July 2013 for the 2013 NBA Summer League, where he got to the Summer League All-Tournament Team. In addition, the Warriors would go on to win the Summer League title.
Los Angeles Lakers (2014)
On February 20, 2014, Bazemore was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, alongside MarShon Brooks, in exchange for Steve Blake. He scored a career-high 23 points against the New Orleans Pelicans on March 4. On April 7th, it was confirmed that he would be out for the remainder of the season after tearing the tendon in his right foot.
Atlanta Hawks (2014–2019)
Bazemore joined the Atlanta Hawks on September 23, 2014. In a 115–100 defeat against the Charlotte Hornets on March 28, 2015, he set a season-best with 20 points.
Bazemore set a career-best with 25 points in a 114–99 win over the Washington Wizards on November 7, 2015. In a 100–88 defeat against the Miami Heat on December 14, 2015, he established a new career-best with 28 points. Bazemore re-signed with the Hawks on July 7, 2016. He set a season-best with 25 points against the Cleveland Cavaliers on November 8, 2016. He scored 25 points for the second time against the Los Angeles Clippers on January 23, 2017.
In a 114–109 defeat against the Golden State Warriors on March 2, 2018, Bazemore set a career-best with 29 points.
Bazemore set a career-best with 32 points in a 111–104 win over the Dallas Mavericks on October 24, 2018. In a 129–121 defeat against the Indiana Pacers on December 26, 2018, he equaled a career-high with 32 points. Bazemore activated his $19.2 million player option for the 2019–20 season on April 12, 2019.
Sacramento Kings (2020)
On January 20, 2020, Bazemore got to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Trevor Ariza, Wenyen Gabriel, and Caleb Swanigan. On March 12, 2020, Bazemore scored a season-high 27 points in a 106–103 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Bazemore averaged 11.0 points per game while shooting 36 percent from three-point range in his first eight games with the Kings. However, he suffered a right foot injury on January 31.
Return To Golden State (2020–2021)
Bazemore signed a one-year deal with the Golden State Warriors on December 1, 2020, to return for a second stint with the club. Moreover, Bazemore averaged career-lows of 12.0 minutes per game and 0.0 points per game while shooting a career-low 25 percent from three-point range during his second stint with the Warriors.
Return To The Lakers (2021–Present)
Bazemore signed a one-year, non-guaranteed contract with the Los Angeles Lakers on April 19, 2021, returning for a second stint with the team. He was waived by the Lakers on May 13 after appearing in just two games.
Kent Bazemore’s professional career has been full of ups and downs. On August 6, 2021, Bazemore signed to re-join the Lakers.
Kent Bazemore | Net Worth
Kent is a professional basketball player that plays on a regular basis. His income comes from the team’s salaries as well as sponsorships from corporations and brands. Kent has a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers for $2,401,537, with $2,401,537 guaranteed and a $2,401,537 yearly average pay.
Kent will make a total base salary of $2,401,537 in season 2021-22, with a cap hit of $1,669,178 and a dead cap value of $1,669,178. Furthermore, Kent is a professional basketball player that makes between $2 million and $3 million each year. Again, Kent Bazemore has an estimated net worth of $90 million as of 2022, according to tvshowstars.com.
Kent Bazemore | Relationship Status
Mr. Kent married Samantha Serpe in Asheville, North Carolina in 2017. Samantha is a model and an Instagram influencer with over 100,000 followers. Kent and Samantha have two children together, Kent Bazemore Jr. (born 2018) and Kaleigh Bazemore (born 2019). Kent’s wife Samantha often posts photos and videos of their family on her social media accounts.
Kent’s Role In Stephen Curry Endorsement Contract
Kent Bazemore was unable to get in 2012 and made the Warriors rosters. Kent struck a deal with Under Armour when his agency got to contact them, and he received a large number of branded gear. Furthermore, Stephen Curry and Kent Bazemore were tied together as teammates because of their similar North Carolina roots and work ethic.
Curry had difficulties with Nike, and their deal was about to expire, so Kent asked him to sign a new contract with Under Armour. Stephen Curry chose Under Armours after a terrible meeting with Nike. Kent received a six-figure settlement from the firm as retaliation, which was a large sum for a player of his caliber in the league.
Social Media Presence
Twitter – @24Bazemore 78.4K Followers
Instagram – kennybaze 242K Followers