Speedster Kinney goes Roadrunner

Rod Barnes has coached at Mississippi, Georgia State and now is entering his initial season at Cal State Bakersfield. He likes live bodies, players who can get up and down the floor and now he has added to his arsenal with the commitment of Play Hard Play Smart (PHPS) and Sacramento High talent Erik Kinney.

The 6-foot-4 Kinney, who played on the varsity as a sophomore, certainly fits the definition. Not only are his quickness and jumping ability first rate, he moves about on the court unafraid of contact.

Plus, he is a winner, always doing whatever is needed for his team to have the best opportunity of succeeding. Do note that PHPS is coming off a 38-3 spring and summer, one in which Coach Brian Hamilton said "Erik played very well for us this summer" as well as a 27-6, 12-2 high school season. Kinney put up a double-double of 11.2 points and 10.1 rebounds as a Dragon last season.

Responding to a query about why Bakersfield, Kinney spoke very highly of the person who will be his college head coach: "Coach Barnes seemed genuine and straightforward, very real. Plus, I liked the campus which is on the smaller side."

Kinney continued, "I met some of the players and I liked that they were real friendly and that I could talk to them." Overall, Kinney said "I felt wanted."

What also caught Kinney's attention is the style of play Barnes will employ: "He [Barnes] said he wanted to get up and down the floor and I liked that." Such is fitting for the Roadrunners, the Bakersfield nickname.

Another enticement is that Bakersfield is about four hours from home "so it's close enough for my Mom to come to games."

He sees himself playing at the two or three spots a year hence and describes his best skills in this manner: "I'm a great rebounder, my defense is a plus and I can help handle the ball." He's working to raise the effectiveness of his mid-range jumper.

Bakersfield is an independent at the moment but working towards membership in the Western Athletic Conference, Big West Conference or Big Sky Conference.

Kinney wanted to thank "my mother and Uncle Kevin for their support, God who blessed me with a scholarship and all my coaches."

As for his eventual competition, backcourter Stephon Carter will be a senior when Kinney arrives in Bakersfield and Ivan Matip a junior.  A pair of junior college guard recruits will be entering their senior seasons plus Barnes signed a freshman backcourter. So the opportunity to earn playing time will be available soon in Kinney's college career.

Also worthy of noting is that former Fremont (Oakland) High forward James Albright is a Roadrunner.

For this season, Kinney believes Sacramento High will again be back competing for league and state honors. He explained, "Our season looks pretty bright -- we will be small with our tallest guy at 6-foot-6 but we'll be fine." Such a setup should take advantage of the basketball skills and physical talents dotting the team.