One Nation, Under God
One Nation, Under God
As a Mustang, Denham led Malta to back to back Class B State titles in 2012 and 2013, under the direction of Coach David Costin. Now he aims to lead Montana State University Billings to a GNAC title, which would lead to an appearance in the NCAA tourney.
Not even two years ago Malta Mustang standout Kendall Denham was getting ready for the basketball season.
A season in which he eventually led the team to the 2013 State B Champion game, a game in which they defeated the Wolf Point Wolves in a triple overtime thriller.
Fast-forward to today, Denham, who red-shirted his freshman year at Montana State University Billings, is suited up and has high aspirations for the Yellowjackets.
Denham saw action in the preseason with the team, as he got the nod to start against Carroll College and Rocky Mountain College but he would sustain a minor shoulder injury that game.
"The first game against Carroll I started, so I was pretty excited about that," Denham told the PCN. "It was good but it was an eye opener for me, so I could see what college basketball was really like.
The team lost the game but Denham noted that the game was good because he and his comrades to gain experience.
He scored nine point sand had three assists in the game.
He missed the first two regular season games against California State East Bay and Cal State Stanislaus, due to the injury.
Denham has been out for two weeks with the injury, but is primed to make his first regular season start on Tuesday against Dixie State, though he is unaware whether he will start.
"There's a mixed feeling because I can still feel a little pain (shoulder), but I'm not the type that wants to sit out, so I'm ready to get back out there and start playing again."
He continued to say that he was a little nervous, but when the game clock starts he won't think too much of his shoulder.
Even though Denham led Malta to back to back state titles, he admitted that playing college ball was a big jump.
"It's a huge jump," he said. "I wish I knew the stuff I know now in high school. It would've helped me out a lot."
He went on to say that the guys at the college level are a lot quicker.
"The shots I shot in high school I don't have here," he said. "I have to shoot quicker. I have to do different moves to get to the hoop."
He also said that he has to be more physical on defense.
Though Denham had a 6'5" teammate in Tucker Schye, Denham now plays with a 6'7" power forward and 6'7" center.
There has also been a big difference in how Denham prepares during the offseason.
No longer a two sport athlete, Denham trains all year
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