Senior forward Kendrick Gilbert’s journey to UNK stretched across multiple states, programs and roles, shaping him into the player he is today.
Before UNK, Gilbert spent time at UNLV as a walk-on, two years at a junior college, then a year away from basketball entirely. When he finally got the chance at UNK, coach Marty Levinson remembers seeing that desire right away.
“He was so hungry to get back to college basketball, he was in the small gym at like 6 a.m. every day,” Levinson said.
That drive was fueled in part by his upbringing. Gilbert grew up in the middle of two brothers who also played college basketball, which helped build resilience and a competitive mindset.
“We’d go after each other a lot growing up,” Gilbert said.
Family continues to motivate him today, especially his mother.
“My mom, she’s been through a lot,” Gilbert said. “We’ve all been through a lot, and she’s just a big why for me.”
Gilbert’s determination has evolved into leadership, both on and off the court. Adjusting to Kearney, a smaller Midwest town, took time, but he eventually found his voice.
“He’s gotten more comfortable,” Levinson said. “Whenever the hard thing needs to be said, Kendrick has always stepped up and said the right things that were needed. He is definitely a leader, not only with his work ethic, but with his thoughtfulness and awareness. He’s a naturally quiet person. But whenever you give him a voice, he says all the right things.”
That leadership extends beyond words. Gilbert’s role as a redshirt senior involves setting an example for younger teammates, showing them what effort, mindset, and professionalism look like.
“I feel being a leader, like on and off the court,” Gilbert said. “I want (Zeek Brown) to be better than me at some point, so I’m just trying to set the table for him and like all the younger guys.”
He also leads by example in adversity. Whether taking a hard hit in a game or facing a tough stretch during the season, Gilbert refuses to back down.
“He just powers through it,” Levinson said. “There’s no quit in him.”
That determination is evident in every aspect of his life and career, from academics to community involvement. Levinson praised Gilbert’s professionalism, noting that he has earned respect from everyone on campus.
“I think Kendrick did it the right way,” Levinson said. “He earned respect from everybody, not just the basketball people on campus, but his teachers, the campus police, anybody that he interacts with.”
For Gilbert, his legacy at UNK is about energy, impact, and relationships.
“I bring a different type of energy,” Gilbert said. “I impact the game in different ways. The relationships that I’ve built with everybody have made Kearney just a better place to be.”
