Luke Kornet
![]() Kornet with the Westchester Knicks in 2017 | |
No. 40 – Boston Celtics | |
---|---|
Position | Center |
League | NBA |
Personal information | |
Born | Lexington, Kentucky, U.S. | July 15, 1995
Listed height | 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) |
Listed weight | 250 lb (113 kg) |
Career information | |
High school | Liberty Christian School (Argyle, Texas) |
College | Vanderbilt (2013–2017) |
NBA draft | 2017: undrafted |
Playing career | 2017–present |
Career history | |
2017–2019 | New York Knicks |
2017–2018 | →Westchester Knicks |
2019–2021 | Chicago Bulls |
2021 | Boston Celtics |
2021–2022 | Maine Celtics |
2021–2022 | Cleveland Cavaliers |
2022 | Milwaukee Bucks |
2022–present | Boston Celtics |
Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Stats at NBA.com | |
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
Luke Francis Kornet (born July 15, 1995) is an American professional basketball player for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for Vanderbilt and is the all-time leader for blocked shots in the school's history and the NCAA all-time leader for three-pointers made by any player seven feet tall or taller.[1] Kornet became an NBA champion upon winning the 2024 NBA Finals with the Boston Celtics.
College career
[edit]Kornet averaged 8.9 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.64 blocks over 24.1 minutes in 128 games during his four-year career at Vanderbilt University. During his senior year with the Commodores, Kornet averaged 13.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.00 blocks in 35 starts, earning All-SEC and All-SEC Defensive honors. He holds the NCAA record for three-pointers made by a 7-footer with 150 and is the Commodores' all-time leading shot blocker with 210.[2] On January 12, 2016, Kornet blocked a school-record 10 shots and finished with the second triple-double in Vanderbilt history with 11 points and 11 rebounds, helping the Commodores defeat Auburn 75–57.[3]
Professional career
[edit]New York Knicks (2017–2019)
[edit]After going undrafted in the 2017 NBA draft, Kornet joined the New York Knicks for the 2017 NBA Summer League. On July 3, 2017, he signed a two-way contract with the Knicks. On February 8, 2018, with his parents in attendance, Kornet made his NBA debut against the Toronto Raptors in Toronto. Kornet finished with a double-double, scoring 11 points and 10 rebounds in 22 minutes, thus being the second Knicks rookie in history to debut with a double-double. He also finished with four blocks, making him the first player in NBA history to sink three three-pointers and have four blocks in his debut.[4]
On July 6, 2018, Kornet signed a standard contract with the Knicks.[5] On April 9, 2019, Kornet recorded a double-double with 12 points, 13 rebounds, and a career-high six blocks in the Knicks' 96–86 victory over the Chicago Bulls.[6]
Chicago Bulls (2019–2021)
[edit]On July 17, 2019, Kornet signed a fully guaranteed two-year contract for $4.5 million with the Chicago Bulls.[7]
Boston Celtics (2021)
[edit]On March 25, 2021, Kornet was traded to the Boston Celtics in a three-team trade involving the Washington Wizards.[8] He re-signed with the Celtics on October 16,[9] but was waived later that day.[10]
Maine Celtics (2021)
[edit]On October 23, Kornet signed with the Maine Celtics as an affiliate player.[11] In 10 games, he averaged 11.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.7 blocks in 27.4 minutes per contest.[12]
Cleveland Cavaliers (2021–2022)
[edit]On December 21, 2021, Kornet signed a 10-day contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers.[12]
Milwaukee Bucks (2022)
[edit]On January 3, 2022, Kornet signed a 10-day contract with the Milwaukee Bucks.[13]
Return to Maine (2022)
[edit]On January 14, 2022, Kornet was reacquired by the Maine Celtics.[14]
Return to Boston (2022–present)
[edit]On February 11, 2022, Kornet signed a contract with the Boston Celtics for the remainder of the season. The Celtics made it to the NBA Finals, where they lost to the Golden State Warriors in six games despite a 2–1 lead.[15]
On July 1, 2022, Kornet re-signed with the Celtics.[16] He signed a two-year, $4,546,582 contract, including $2,133,278 guaranteed, and an annual average salary of $2,273,291. In 2023–24, Kornet earned a base salary of $2,413,304.[17] Kornet became an NBA champion when the Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks in 5 games in the 2024 NBA Finals. On July 2, 2024, he re-signed with the Celtics.[18]
Kornet is known for his invention and use of an unorthodox method of shot contesting that he calls "The Eclipse". Also known as the "Kornet Contest", this technique involves jumping with both hands raised, no matter the distance from the shooter, in an attempt to visually block the basket and distract the shooter. As of December 6, 2022, opposing shooters were 5 for 18 on shot attempts against Kornet's Eclipse. While a small sample size, this conversion rate of 28% was well below the league average of 38% made on 3-point field goal attempts. The Eclipse has been attempted by other players including Marcus Smart and Jalen Duren.[19]
Career statistics
[edit]GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
† | Won an NBA championship |
NBA
[edit]Regular season
[edit]Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2017–18 | New York | 20 | 1 | 16.3 | .392 | .354 | .727 | 3.2 | 1.3 | .3 | .8 | 6.7 |
2018–19 | New York | 46 | 18 | 17.0 | .378 | .363 | .826 | 2.9 | 1.2 | .6 | .9 | 7.0 |
2019–20 | Chicago | 36 | 14 | 15.5 | .438 | .287 | .714 | 2.3 | .9 | .3 | .7 | 6.0 |
2020–21 | Chicago | 13 | 0 | 7.2 | .333 | .261 | .500 | 1.2 | .3 | .2 | .5 | 2.0 |
Boston | 18 | 2 | 14.1 | .473 | .250 | .500 | 2.9 | 1.1 | .1 | 1.4 | 4.4 | |
2021–22 | Cleveland | 2 | 0 | 7.4 | .200 | .000 | .667 | 1.5 | .5 | .0 | .5 | 2.0 |
Milwaukee | 1 | 0 | 3.0 | .000 | — | — | 1.0 | .0 | .0 | .0 | .0 | |
Boston | 12 | 0 | 7.1 | .571 | .000 | .667 | 2.1 | .7 | .3 | .2 | 2.2 | |
2022–23 | Boston | 69 | 0 | 11.7 | .665 | .231 | .821 | 2.9 | .8 | .2 | .7 | 3.8 |
2023–24† | Boston | 63 | 7 | 15.6 | .700 | 1.000 | .907 | 4.1 | 1.1 | .4 | 1.0 | 5.3 |
Career | 280 | 42 | 14.0 | .502 | .323 | .811 | 3.0 | .9 | .3 | .8 | 5.0 |
Play-in
[edit]Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 | Boston | 1 | 0 | 4.2 | – | – | – | 1.0 | 1.0 | .0 | .0 | .0 |
Career | 1 | 0 | 4.2 | – | – | – | 1.0 | 1.0 | .0 | .0 | .0 |
Playoffs
[edit]Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 | Boston | 2 | 0 | 2.7 | 1.000 | — | .500 | 1.5 | .0 | .0 | .0 | 1.5 |
2022 | Boston | 9 | 0 | 2.1 | .750 | 1.000 | — | .6 | .1 | .0 | .0 | .8 |
2023 | Boston | 8 | 0 | 4.0 | .875 | 1.000 | 1.000 | 1.3 | .0 | .0 | .1 | 2.1 |
2024† | Boston | 13 | 0 | 10.2 | .667 | — | .846 | 3.2 | .5 | .1 | .4 | 3.0 |
Career | 32 | 0 | 5.9 | .735 | 1.000 | .824 | 1.8 | .3 | .0 | .2 | 2.1 |
College
[edit]Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2013–14 | Vanderbilt | 30 | 2 | 15.4 | .344 | .236 | .533 | 2.3 | .8 | .3 | .6 | 4.0 |
2014–15 | Vanderbilt | 35 | 14 | 21.6 | .495 | .400 | .764 | 3.4 | 1.1 | .2 | 1.1 | 8.7 |
2015–16 | Vanderbilt | 28 | 25 | 27.4 | .403 | .280 | .690 | 7.3 | 1.5 | .5 | 3.0 | 8.9 |
2016–17 | Vanderbilt | 35 | 35 | 31.5 | .406 | .327 | .857 | 6.2 | 1.2 | .5 | 2.0 | 13.2 |
Career | 128 | 76 | 24.1 | .417 | .320 | .779 | 4.8 | 1.1 | .4 | 1.6 | 8.9 |
Personal life
[edit]Kornet is the son of former Vanderbilt and NBA player Frank Kornet and Nashville television news anchor Tracy Kornet.[20] His sister Nicole played basketball at Oklahoma and UCLA.[20] He also has a brother named John.[21]
Kornet is a Catholic and maintains a blog of churches he visits during his playing career.[22] Kornet is married to his wife Tierney and has two children as of 2022.[23]
References
[edit]- ^ Sparks, Adam (February 3, 2017). "How Vanderbilt's Luke Kornet became top 3-point shooting 7-footer in NCAA history". USAToday.com. Archived from the original on March 13, 2017. Retrieved March 13, 2017.
- ^ "Knicks Sign Luke Kornet To Two-Way Contract". NBA.com. July 3, 2017. Archived from the original on July 4, 2017. Retrieved July 3, 2017.
- ^ "Vanderbilt snaps 3-game SEC skid by beating Auburn 75-57". ESPN.com. January 12, 2016. Archived from the original on February 25, 2022. Retrieved July 3, 2017.
- ^ "Knicks vs. Raptors - Box Score". ESPN.com. February 8, 2018. Archived from the original on April 29, 2018. Retrieved April 28, 2018.
- ^ Ballow, Jonah (July 6, 2018). "NEW YORK KNICKS SIGN LUKE KORNET". NBA.com. Archived from the original on September 26, 2020. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
- ^ "Knicks' Luke Kornet: Hosts a block party Tuesday". CBSSports.com. April 9, 2019. Archived from the original on April 10, 2019. Retrieved April 10, 2019.
- ^ "Bulls reportedly agree to two-year, fully guaranteed deal with Luke Kornet". NBCSports.com. July 17, 2019. Archived from the original on July 18, 2019. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
- ^ "Celtics Acquire Moe Wagner, Luke Kornet in 3-Team Trade". NBA.com. March 25, 2021. Archived from the original on March 26, 2021. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
- ^ Adams, Luke (October 16, 2021). "Celtics Sign Luke Kornet, Chris Clemons To Camp Deals". HoopsRumors.com. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- ^ Keith Smith [@KeithSmithNBA] (October 16, 2021). "Official Boston Celtics waivers: Chris Clemons Luke Kornet Garrison Mathews Theo Pinson Boston now has 16 players under contract. 15 standard deals, 1 Two-Way deal. One Two-Way spot remains open for the Celtics" (Tweet). Retrieved October 23, 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Celtics Acquire Two In Draft, Announce Training Camp Roster". NBA.com. October 23, 2021. Archived from the original on October 23, 2021. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
- ^ a b Gold, Matthew (December 21, 2021). "Cavaliers Sign Justin Anderson and Luke Kornet". NBA.com. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
- ^ "Milwaukee Bucks Sign Luke Kornet To A 10-day Contract". NBA.com. January 3, 2022. Archived from the original on January 3, 2022. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
- ^ "2021-22 NBA G League transactions". gleague.nba.com. January 14, 2022. Archived from the original on March 6, 2021. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
- ^ Krivitsky, Bobby (February 11, 2022). "Celtics Sign Sam Hauser, Luke Kornet to Standard Contracts, Can Now Add Players Via 10-Day Deals". SI.com. Archived from the original on February 11, 2022. Retrieved February 11, 2022.
- ^ "Celtics Re-Sign Kornet". NBA.com. July 9, 2022. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
- ^ "Luke Kornet". Spotrac.com. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
- ^ "Boston Celtics Re-Sign Kornet". NBA.com. July 2, 2024. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
- ^ Noh, Stephen. "The Luke Kornet contest, explained: Does Celtics center's eclipse technique on defense actually work". The Sporting News. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
- ^ a b Sparks, Adam (October 19, 2016). "Vanderbilt's Luke Kornet gets support, not critiques, from famous parents". Tennessean.com. Archived from the original on February 25, 2022. Retrieved July 3, 2017.
- ^ "Vanderbilt Official Athletic Site - Vanderbilt University". Archived from the original on June 18, 2017. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
- ^ "NBA Notebook: How Luke Kornet saved his NBA career with the Celtics". BostonSportsJournal.com. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
- ^ Terada, Souichi (November 10, 2022). "Celtics' Luke Kornet welcomed 2nd child, which is why he left Knicks game early". masslive. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
External links
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- Career statistics and player information from NBA.com and Basketball-Reference.com
- Vanderbilt Commodores bio
- 1995 births
- Living people
- American men's basketball players
- Basketball players from Denton County, Texas
- Boston Celtics players
- Centers (basketball)
- Chicago Bulls players
- Cleveland Cavaliers players
- Liberty Christian School (Argyle, Texas) alumni
- Maine Celtics players
- Milwaukee Bucks players
- New York Knicks players
- Power forwards
- Undrafted NBA players
- United States men's national basketball team players
- Vanderbilt Commodores men's basketball players
- Westchester Knicks players
- American Roman Catholics
- 21st-century American sportsmen