The 29-year-old Kendrick Melvin Nunn, the American guard who has become a “gem” player for Greek and European basketball, is not going anywhere—he’s here to stay. “Here” means in Greece, with Panathinaikos, at the OAKA. This is where he’s loved, where his career has been reborn, and where they’re laying gold at his feet

In just two years, he has earned the respect of friends and foes alike. From his very first appearance in European basketball with Panathinaikos, he displayed his leadership skills and exceptional talent. Regarding his personal life, he has two children with his partner, Blen—a girl and a boy—for whom he is a role model.

But who is Kendrick Nunn really, and how did he come to “conquer” Greek and European basketball?

His Life in America Before Fame, the Assault on His Girlfriend, and the Emotional “Low”
His childhood in the US is nothing like the “glamorous” reality he now lives.

Kendrick Nunn was born on August 3, 1995, in Chicago. He grew up in a home where his mother, Kimberley Harris, struggled with the “monster” of depression. It was a battle that kept her away from her children and ultimately led to her divorce. His father, Melvin Nunn, took full custody and raised the kids alone, supporting them during their difficult times.

At 21, Kendrick Nunn was charged with assaulting his girlfriend. The incident happened when he went to her house to demand money she owed him, and she threw a Jenga block at his head. In response, Nunn grabbed her by the neck and splashed water on her face. Shortly after, he turned himself in to the authorities and was released on a $5,000 bond. He accepted an out-of-court settlement, with the case being treated as a misdemeanor, and other charges were dropped.

His life took a downward turn. After this incident, Kendrick Nunn was expelled from his school and became reclusive, hiding away from the world.

When he ventured outside, he wore his hood at all times—a habit he still maintains today. The hood serves as a kind of armor for him, helping him avoid the gaze of others.

“I tried to keep a low profile because I knew what was happening. Everyone made assumptions. I stayed in my room and tried to hide. When I went out, I wore my hood,” he said.

His Relationship with Basketball, the NBA Breakthrough, and Panathinaikos
Kendrick Nunn’s relationship with basketball began at the age of just 2, when his father gave him a basketball. The love was instant.

He attended Simeon Career Academy, where he led his team to four consecutive championships. In 2011, he won the gold medal at the FIBA U16 World Championship with Team USA and repeated the feat in 2012 with the U17 team. “I’m a natural scorer, but I really worked on my ball-handling skills in the gym so I could take on the role of the starting point guard,” he said.

As an adult, he played at the University of Illinois before finishing his NCAA career at the University of Oakland, where he made a splash in the 2017/18 season, averaging 25.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game, with 39.4% shooting from three-point range. He entered the NBA draft but went undrafted.

However, he continued chasing his dream with the Golden State Warriors’ G League affiliate, the Santa Cruz Warriors, posting 9.2 points and 3.8 rebounds per game (2018-2019). Training, sweat, pain. All in the hope that someone would notice him. And they did.

His efforts paid off when the Miami Heat signed him to an NBA contract on April 10, 2019. Over two seasons in Miami (2019-2021), he had impressive performances, averaging 13.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game, with 35.8% shooting from three-point range in 27 minutes per game. He essentially took the starting point guard spot from Goran Dragic, becoming the second playmaker in the starting lineup behind Jimmy Butler. On August 3, 2021, the Heat did not renew Nunn’s contract, making him a free agent.

Just three days later, he signed a two-year, $10 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers. However, a knee injury kept him out for a year. On October 18, 2022, Nunn made his debut for the Lakers.

On January 23, 2023, Nunn was traded to the Washington Wizards along with three future second-round draft picks in exchange for Rui Hachimura.

On October 31, 2023, Panathinaikos made an announcement that would change the history of Greek and European basketball when Dimitris Giannakopoulos revealed the signing of Kendrick Nunn for the 2023-2024 season.

Though he still wears his hood, he can’t hide his smile because he knows he’s made it.

The “Golden” Year of 2024
The year 2024 was pivotal for both Panathinaikos and Kendrick himself.

Despite joining the team midway through the 2023-2024 season, without preseason training or prior knowledge of European basketball, Nunn adapted almost immediately and made history with the “greens.”

Kendrick Nunn stood out from the very first games, signaling that he was a player capable of changing the game in the Euroleague. A notable moment came in the fourth game of the playoffs against Maccabi Tel Aviv when Panathinaikos was facing elimination and one loss away from having their season end prematurely.

The “one-man show” in the crucial, final game of the series at the “hot” OAKA will be forever etched in the memories of Panathinaikos fans as it ended a 12-year absence from the Final Four.

In the Berlin Final Four, Nunn made his mark in Panathinaikos history with outstanding performances in the semifinal against Fenerbahce and the final against Real Madrid. The “cherry on top” came in the final minute when Nunn dunked the ball, ending a 13-year championship drought for Panathinaikos.

The Greek league finals saw Panathinaikos make an incredible comeback, completing a “reverse sweep” against Olympiacos. Olympiacos had taken a 2-0 series lead, winning the first two games comfortably. However, Nunn played captivating basketball, culminating in a thrilling game in Peace and Friendship Stadium (SEF) for the fourth match.

The series went to OAKA for the fifth and final game, and after a nerve-wracking contest, Olympiacos had a chance to “steal” the game and the championship in the final possessions. However, a missed shot by Kostas Gikas allowed Panathinaikos to maintain their lead and win the championship. In that game, Nunn broke his teeth after accidentally colliding with his teammate, Jerrian Grant. Despite this, he played through the injury and ended the game with a smile… even without teeth.

The Contract Renewal Until 2028
Kendrick Nunn officially renewed his contract with the Euroleague champions yesterday, meaning he will remain at OAKA until 2028. The new deal makes him the highest-paid player in Euroleague history.

Dimitris Giannakopoulos’ “burning desire” was to convince the American basketball star to give up his NBA dream for good. The contract does not include an NBA out clause, meaning that if a tempting NBA offer comes along, Nunn cannot leave for the NBA.

Every American player, whether they play in Europe or elsewhere, has one ultimate dream: to play in their home country in the NBA, the best basketball league in the world. Especially for players like Nunn, who had already played at the highest level, impressing in the NBA. After nearly two years in Euroleague, a European Championship, and an impressive Greek Cup title, it might seem like Nunn had nothing more to prove in Europe.

But Dimitris Giannakopoulos wasn’t willing to let his best player leave easily. With his signature on the new contract, he secured 4.5 million euros per year (without bonuses) for the next three years. Over the course of three years, Nunn will earn an incredible 13.5 million euros. The deal was finalized following an announcement from his agent, Sead Galijasevic, on Instagram.

Soon after, the official announcement came from Panathinaikos, with the song “Pouthena” by Peggy Zina, symbolizing the fans’ desire for him to stay. On Thursday, April 10th, Nunn met with Giannakopoulos to officially sign his new “golden” three-year contract, which he later shared on Instagram.

Nunn is leading Panathinaikos in defending their Euroleague crown, aiming for a “back-to-back” and another star on their jersey.

The MVP Season
Nunn’s 2024 season in Euroleague is truly out of this world, as he is averaging 20.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game, making him the top scorer of the season.

He is on the verge of winning the “Alphonso Ford Trophy,” the award for the top scorer of the year. It’s also very likely that he could be named the MVP of the season, with only Sasha Vezenkov from Olympiacos, his “eternal” rival, standing in his way.