EAST LANSING — Kennedy Blair received little significant playing time during the 2024-25 season.
But during her opportunities in games and behind the scenes in practices, Blair built some confidence after having had her first season in the Michigan State women’s basketball program in 2023-24 derailed by a foot injury.
Blair made it a point to build on that confidence she gained over the summer by dedicating herself to the gym.
“I think that this was really my first offseason healthy so I was able to be up here all summer and work out with my coaching staff and I didn’t have to worry about keeping track of my foot or knee problems when I first came in,” Blair said. “I think that being fully healthy and probably 15 pounds lighter than what I was last year (helped).
“I think that just getting my body right and being able to play faster has gotten me more confident and moving. It’s just so much easier to play basketball when I’m moving better.”
That time improving her fitness and boosting her skills has paid dividends as Blair has made a big jump for the Spartans. She her redshirt sophomore season with her first career double-double as MSU set a program record for points in a 125-39 victory over Mercyhurst on Tuesday, Nov. 4, at Breslin Center .
Blair set career highs with 14 points and 12 assists and added five rebounds in just under 20 minutes. She knocked down 6-of-8 shots from the field and had three steals in her first career start.
“It’s really rewarding because I sacrificed a lot this summer,” said Blair, who had 22 assists all of last season while appearing in 20 games. “I’m just thankful for that and I thank God for keeping me healthy. Just really, really taking care of my body is important to me.”
Blair showed her playmaking ability and much more while being one of seven Spartans to score in double figures. And what she displayed Tuesday was what MSU coach Robyn Fralick and staff have seen the last few years.
“What we saw tonight we see consistently in practice,” Fralick said. “Her ability to pass, rebound, impact the game, score in so many ways — it’s been really fun to watch her development over time. For somebody to come in and really have to work their way and earn their way — we hope she’s going to be able to continue to do that. We have consistently seen her ability to just do so many things that help the team win.”
Blair is determined to find ways to keep making an impact for the Spartans like she did in the opener as they look to build on back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances. Blair is embracing her role as a playmaker to help make that happen.
“I just (want to) continue to do that,” Blair said. “That’s what coach wants me to do is playmake and that’s what I’m going to do. I’m not really worried about scoring or stuff like that, I’m going to do the little things that matter. I’m just going to play my role and keep building the next couple of games.”
Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on X @brian_calloway and Bluesky @briancalloway.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Kennedy Blair makes big jump for Michigan State women’s basketball, including running the show
Reporting by Brian Calloway, Lansing State Journal / Lansing State Journal
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