{{Short description|American basketball player (born 1998)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2020}} {{Infobox basketball biography | name = Kenny Wooten | image = Kenny Wooten.jpg | image_size = | caption = | position = Power forward | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 9 | weight_lbs = 235 | league = Lebanese Basketball League | team = Central Club | number = 2 | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1998|4|17}} | birth_place = Stockton, California, U.S. | high_school = * Stagg<br>(Stockton, California) * Manteca<br>(Manteca, California) * Trinity International School<br>(Las Vegas, Nevada) | college = Oregon (2017–2019) | draft_year = 2019 | career_start = 2019 | years1 = 2019–2020 | team1 = Westchester Knicks | years2 = 2020–2021 | team2 = Rio Grande Valley Vipers | years3 = 2021–2022 | team3 = Maine Celtics | years4 = 2022–2023 | team4 = Raptors 905 | years5 = 2023–2024 | team5 = Atomerőmű SE | years6 = 2024–2025 | team6 = Ulaanbaatar TLG | years7 = 2025–present | team7 = Central Club | highlights = * NBA G League All-Defensive Team (2020) * 2× Pac-12 All-Defensive team (2018, 2019) }} '''Kenneth Wooten Jr.''' (born April 17, 1998) is an American professional basketball player for the Central Club of the Lebanese Basketball League. He played college basketball for the Oregon Ducks.
==Early life== Wooten was born and grew up in Stockton, California and initially attended Stagg High School before transferring to Manteca High School after his sophomore year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.registerguard.com/rg/sports/36429367-81/ducks-needs-more-consistency-from-wooten.html.csp|title=Ducks love Wooten's peaks, but want him to avoid the valleys|work=The Register-Guard|date=February 11, 2018|access-date=January 12, 2020|archive-date=January 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112150456/https://www.registerguard.com/rg/sports/36429367-81/ducks-needs-more-consistency-from-wooten.html.csp|url-status=dead}}</ref> As a senior, he averaged 13.6 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 4.0 blocks per game and scored 26 points with 18 rebounds and nine blocks in the Buffaloes win over Ayala High School in the 2016 State title game. Rated a four-star recruit, Wooten initially signed a national letter of intent to play college basketball at Nevada before asking to be released from his commitment in order to re-open his recruiting due to coaching changes at the school.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rgj.com/story/sports/college/nevada/2016/05/11/four-star-commit-wooten-has-not-ruled-out-playing-pack/84238674/|title=Four-star commit Wooten has not ruled out playing for Pack|first=Chris|last=Murray|work=Reno Gazette-Journal|date=May 11, 2016|access-date=January 12, 2020}}</ref> He then transferred to Trinity International School in Las Vegas, Nevada for a postgraduate year in order to reclassify for the class of 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.modbee.com/sports/high-school/article76833727.html|title=Wooten leaves Manteca High for Trinity International in Las Vegas|first=James|last=Burns|work=The Modesto Bee|date=May 10, 2016|access-date=January 12, 2020}}</ref> After initially committing to Arizona State, Wooten de-committed and accepted a scholarship to play at Oregon.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/ncaab/asu/2016/12/20/forward-kenny-wooten-commits-asu-mens-basketball/95677612/|title=Forward Kenny Wooten commits to ASU basketball|first=Jeff|last=Metcalfe|work=Arizona Republic|date=December 20, 2016|access-date=January 12, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oregonlive.com/recruiting/2018/01/oregons_kenny_wooten_former_ar.html|title=Oregon's Kenny Wooten, former Arizona State commit, has 'no regrets' about recruiting flip|first=Andrew|last=Nemec|work=The Oregonian|date=January 12, 2018|access-date=January 12, 2020}}</ref>
==College career== As a freshman, Wooten averaged 6.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and a Pac-12 Conference-leading 2.6 blocks per game and was named to the conference's All-Defensive team.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oregonlive.com/ducks/2018/03/kenny_wooten_wont_test_nba_dra.html|title=Kenny Wooten won't test NBA draft waters, announces return to Oregon Ducks|first=Tyson|last=Alger|work=The Oregonian|date=March 21, 2018|access-date=January 12, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://247sports.com/college/oregon/ContentGallery/Multiple-Oregon-basketball-players-trending-in-2019-NBA-Mock-Drafts-119271978/|title=Multiple Ducks trending in 2019 NBA Mock Drafts|first=Kevin|last=Wade|website=247Sports.com|date=June 22, 2018|access-date=January 12, 2020}}</ref> Wooten's 92 blocked shots was the third most in a single season by an Oregon player.<ref>{{cite web|first=Tyson|last=Alger|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/889612/2019/03/26/kenny-wootens-shot-blocking-prowess-is-fueling-oregons-sweet-16-run/|title=Kenny Wooten's shot-blocking prowess is fueling Oregon's Sweet 16 run|website=The Athletic|date=March 26, 2018|access-date=January 12, 2020}}</ref> He averaged 6.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game and was again named to the Pac-12 All-Defensive team in his sophomore season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://247sports.com/college/oregon/Article/NBA-Draft-Kenny-Wooten-Oregon-Basketball-132997974/|title=What NBA team offers the best fit for Kenny Wooten?|first=Jared|last=Mack|website=247Sports.com|date=June 19, 2019|access-date=January 12, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oregonlive.com/ducks/2019/03/oregons-kenny-wooten-louis-king-honored-by-pac-12-coaches.html|title=Oregon's Kenny Wooten, Louis King honored by Pac-12 coaches|first=James|last=Crepea|work=The Oregonian|date=March 11, 2019|access-date=January 12, 2020}}</ref> Wooten had a career-high 20 points on December 8, 2018, in an 84–61 win over Omaha.<ref>{{cite news |title=Wooten scores career-best 20, leads Oregon over Omaha 84-61 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2018/12/08/wooten-scores-career-best-20-leads-oregon-over-omaha-84-61/38699221/ |accessdate=January 12, 2020 |work=USA Today |agency=Associated Press |date=December 8, 2018}}</ref> Following the end of the season, Wooten announced that he would forgo his final two seasons of NCAA eligibility to enter the 2019 NBA draft.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/northwest/oregon-ducks/concerns-surround-oregon-forward-kenny-wootens-nba-readiness|title=Concerns surround Oregon forward Kenny Wooten's NBA readiness|first=Bri|last=Amaranthus|website=NBC Sports Northwest|date=May 20, 2019|access-date=January 12, 2020|archive-date=January 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112144235/https://www.nbcsports.com/northwest/oregon-ducks/concerns-surround-oregon-forward-kenny-wootens-nba-readiness|url-status=dead}}</ref> Despite only playing two seasons, Wooten left Oregon as the Ducks' third all-time leading shot blocker with 166 blocks.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/report-kenny-wooten-to-play-for-knicks-in-nba-summer-league/|title=Report: Kenny Wooten to play for Knicks in NBA Summer League|first=Erik|last=Skopil|website=CBS Sports|date=June 25, 2019|access-date=January 12, 2020}}</ref>
==Professional career== After going undrafted in the 2019 NBA draft, Wooten joined the New York Knicks for the 2019 NBA Summer League<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nba-draft-whats-next-louis-183646217.html|title=NBA Draft: What's next for Louis King and Kenny Wooten?|first=Bri|last=Amaranthus|website=Yahoo Sports|date=June 21, 2019|access-date=January 12, 2020}}</ref> and on July 20, 2019, the Knicks signed him to an Exhibit 10 contract.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2019/07/20/kenny-wooten-getting-another-big-knicks-chance/|title=Kenny Wooten getting another big Knicks chance|first=Marc|last=Berman|work=New York Post|date=July 20, 2019|access-date=January 12, 2020}}</ref> Wooten was waived by the Knicks on October 19, 2019, and joined the team's NBA G League affiliate, the Westchester Knicks.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sny.tv/knicks/news/knicks-waive-guard-lamar-peters-forwards-vj-king-and-kenny-wooten/311223220/|title=Knicks waive guard Lamar Peters, forwards VJ King and Kenny Wooten|first=Corey|last=Hersch|website=SNY.tv|date=October 19, 2019|access-date=January 12, 2020}}</ref> The Knicks signed Wooten to a two-way contract for two years on January 14, 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/knicks/front-office-news/knicks-sign-kenny-wooten-two-way-contract|title=Knicks Sign Kenny Wooten to Two-Way Contract|website=NBA.com|date=January 14, 2020|access-date=January 14, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sny.tv/knicks/news/kenny-wooten-eagerly-awaiting-first-game-action-with-knicks/312443162|title=Kenny Wooten eagerly awaiting first game action with Knicks|first=Alex|last=Smith|website=SNY.tv|date=January 15, 2020|access-date=January 17, 2020}}</ref> However, he did not play a game for the Knicks in the 2019–20 season as he suffered a thumb injury requiring surgery in late February 2020. He averaged 7.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.6 blocks per game while shooting 65.1% from the field for Westchester.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Wolfe |first1=Alex |title=Keep or Cut: Kadeem Allen and Kenny Wooten |url=https://www.si.com/nba/knicks/news/knicks-keep-or-cut-kenny-wooten-kadeem-allen-2020-nba-free-agency |accessdate=April 12, 2020 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=March 21, 2020}}</ref> On November 19, 2020, the Knicks waived Wooten.<ref>{{cite web |title=Knicks Announce Roster Moves |url=https://www.nba.com/knicks/front-office-news/knicks-announce-roster-moves |website=NBA.com |accessdate=November 19, 2020 |date=November 19, 2020}}</ref>
On November 21, 2020, Houston Rockets claimed him off waivers,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Feigen |first1=Jonathan |title=Rockets pick up Kenny Wooten off waivers |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/rockets/article/Rockets-pick-up-Kenny-Wooten-off-waivers-15745340.php |access-date=November 24, 2020 |work=Houston Chronicle |date=November 21, 2020}}</ref> but was waived during training camp.<ref>{{cite news |last1=DuBose |first1=Ben |title=Rockets waive Jerian Grant, Trevelin Queen, and Kenny Wooten |url=https://rocketswire.usatoday.com/2020/12/16/rockets-waive-jerian-grant-trevelin-queen-and-kenny-wooten/ |accessdate=December 16, 2020 |work=Rockets Wire |date=December 16, 2020}}</ref> He was then added to the Rockets' G League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers<ref>{{cite web|title=Vipers Finalize 2021 Roster|url=https://riograndevalley.gleague.nba.com/news/vipers-finalize-2021-roster/|work=NBA.com|date=January 18, 2021|accessdate=April 13, 2021}}</ref> where he averaged 6.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.1 assists.<ref name="Oostende2021">{{cite web|title=De Amerikaan Kenny Wooten wordt de nieuwe center van Oostende|url=https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20210410_95161162|date=April 10, 2021|work=Nieuwsblad.de|accessdate=April 10, 2021|language=Dutch}}</ref>
On April 10, 2021, Wooten signed with Filou Oostende of the BNXT League.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20210410_95161162|title=De Amerikaan Kenny Wooten wordt de nieuwe center van Oostende|last=|first=|date=April 10, 2021|website=nieuwsblad.be|publisher=|language=nl|access-date=August 22, 2021}}</ref>
On August 22, 2021, Wooten signed with Ironi Ness Ziona of the Israeli Basketball Super League (IBSL).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://sportando.basketball/en/kenny-wooten-jr-signs-with-ironi-ness-ziona/|title=Kenny Wooten Jr. signs with Ironi Ness Ziona|last=|first=|date=August 22, 2021|website=|newspaper=Sportando|language=En|access-date=August 22, 2021 |last1=Maggi |first1=Alessandro }}</ref> However, he was cut on September 16.<ref>{{cite web|title=I.Nes Ziona cut Kenny Wooten Jr.|url=https://www.eurobasket.com/Israel/news/704912/I.Nes-Ziona-cut-Kenny-Wooten-Jr.|website=Eurobasket.com|date=September 16, 2021|access-date=September 16, 2021}}</ref> On October 23, he signed with the Maine Celtics.<ref>{{cite web|title=Celtics Acquire Two In Draft, Announce Training Camp Roster|url=https://maine.gleague.nba.com/news/draft-camp-102321/|website=NBA.com|date=October 23, 2021|access-date=October 24, 2021}}</ref> On February 6, 2022, Wooten was waived after suffering a season-ending injury.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gleague.nba.com/transactions/|website=gleague.nba.com|title=2021-22 NBA G League Transactions|date=February 6, 2022|access-date=February 13, 2022}}</ref>
===Raptors 905 (2022–2023)=== On October 15, 2022, Wooten was traded from the Maine Celtics to the Raptors 905.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gleague.nba.com/22-23-nba-g-league-transactions|website=gleague.nba.com|title=2022-23 NBA G League Transactions|date=October 15, 2022|access-date=October 15, 2022}}</ref> On October 17, 2022, Wooten signed with the Raptors 905 of the G League.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gleague.nba.com/22-23-nba-g-league-transactions|website=gleague.nba.com|title=2022-23 NBA G League Transactions|date=October 17, 2022|access-date=October 17, 2022}}</ref> On January 17, 2023, Wooten was waived.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gleague.nba.com/22-23-nba-g-league-transactions|website=gleague.nba.com|title=2022-23 NBA G League Transactions|date=January 17, 2023|access-date=January 17, 2023}}</ref>
On January 27, 2023, Wooten was acquired by the Salt Lake City Stars,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gleague.nba.com/22-23-nba-g-league-transactions|website=gleague.nba.com|title=2022-23 NBA G League Transactions|date=January 27, 2023|access-date=January 27, 2023}}</ref> but was waived four days later before playing for Salt Lake.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gleague.nba.com/22-23-nba-g-league-transactions|website=gleague.nba.com|title=2022-23 NBA G League Transactions|date=January 31, 2023|access-date=January 31, 2023}}</ref>
===Atomerőmű SE (2023–2024)=== On November 23, 2023, Wooten signed with the Atomerőmű SE of the Nemzeti Bajnokság I/A.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kenny Wooten Jr. is csatlakozik a csapathoz |url=https://kosarlabda.ase.hu/hirek/kenny-wooten-jr-is-csatlakozik-a-csapathoz |website=ASE.HU |access-date=29 November 2024 |date=23 November 2023}}</ref>
===Ulaanbaatar TLG (2024–2025)=== In November 2024, Wooten joined the Ulaanbaatar TLG of The League.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ulaanbaatar TLG lands Kenny Wooten Jr., ex Atomeromu |url=https://www.asia-basket.com/Mongolia/news/904187/Ulaanbaatar-TLG-lands-Kenny-Wooten-Jr-ex-Atomeromu |website=Eurobasket.com |access-date=29 November 2024 |date=28 November 2024}}</ref>
On January 7, 2025, Wooten signed with the Homenetmen Beirut of the Lebanese Basketball League.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kenny Wooten Jr. (ex UB TLG) joins Homentmen |url=https://www.asia-basket.com/Mongolia/news/910818/Kenny-Wooten-Jr-ex-UB-TLG-joins-Homentmen |website=Eurobasket.com |access-date=January 7, 2025 |date=January 7, 2025}}</ref>
==Career statistics== {{NBA player statistics legend}}
===College=== {{NBA player statistics start}} |- | style="text-align:left;"| 2017–18 | style="text-align:left;"| Oregon | '''36''' || 10 || 19.8 || '''.681''' || .000 || .594 || 4.5 || .3 || '''.6''' || '''2.6''' || '''6.4''' |- | style="text-align:left;"| 2018–19 | style="text-align:left;"| Oregon | 34 || '''27''' || '''24.0''' || .589 || .000 || '''.672''' || '''4.8''' || '''.6''' || .4 || 2.2 || 6.3 |- class="sortbottom" | style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career | 70 || 37 || 21.8 || .634 || .000 || .633 || 4.7 || .5 || .5 || 2.4 || 6.4 {{S-end}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * [https://goducks.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/kenny-wooten/8105 Oregon Ducks bio] * [https://stats.gleague.nba.com/player/1629624/ NBA G League profile] * {{Sports links}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wooten, Kenny}} Category:1998 births Category:Living people Category:21st-century American sportsmen Category:American expatriate basketball people in Canada Category:American expatriate basketball people in Hungary Category:American expatriate basketball people in Lebanon Category:American expatriate basketball people in Mongolia Category:American men's basketball players Category:Atomerőmű SE players Category:Basketball players from Stockton, California Category:Club Central Jounieh players Category:Maine Celtics players Category:Manteca High School alumni Category:Oregon Ducks men's basketball players Category:Power forwards Category:Raptors 905 players Category:Rio Grande Valley Vipers players Category:Stagg High School (Stockton, California) alumni Category:Westchester Knicks players Category:Ulaanbaatar TLG players