EU: It’s a pleasure to meet with you, Kenny. We always like to highlight the accomplishments of those figures in our community who not only strive to boost the economy, but also to better the lives of those around them.
KT: Thanks, it’s a pleasure to be here. My charity work is very important to me, just as much as my business and sports.
EU: Tell me a little about your upbringing in El Paso, Texas and what led to you moving to Albuquerque for your senior season?
KT: I’m actually a military brat [laughs]. Such a funny term. I’m from Douglasville, Georgia. My dad got stationed in El Paso, Texas, so that’s where I went to middle school, and a year or two of high school. And then I went to Albuquerque, New Mexico where I finished out my senior year of high school. I played on an AAU team that was from Albuquerque that found me in El Paso when I was like, 13 [the New Mexico Flight.] Then I basically decided to stay in New Mexico and go to college [University of Mexico] though I could’ve went anywhere in the country.
EU: When you attended the University of New Mexico, being one of the highest-profile recruits to ever attend the school, you became second scorer on the Lobos’ all-time scoring list, which led to you being drafted 22nd to the Houston Rockets in 1999, quite an accomplishment—kudos.
KT: Thank you.
EU: How did it feel being inducted into the Albuquerque Hall of Fame last year?
KT: It was a great honor. Being inducted was one of those things that I worked really hard for. God gave me the ability to be able to play the game of basketball well, and it’s a blessing. One of the greatest blessings I’ve had in life besides my kids is playing basketball.
EU: How do you think your dedication to basketball translates to the business world?
KT: Basketball to the business world… Well that’s a unique situation because basketball and business are kinda the same thing. Growing up, it was just about basketball—basketball was my main focus other than school, and that focus helped in my success. Like with basketball, my focus helps me succeed in the business world now.
EU: What do you mean basketball and business are the same thing?
KT: I was a professional athlete—so I was an entertainer; people came to see us, and we entertained people like a business. Now, after becoming a professional athlete like I was in the past, I’ve had the unique opportunity to network and connect with those business people who were around when I was playing basketball. Like Magic Johnson, who is my mentor.
EU: Magic Johnson, your mentor?
KT: In his book, 32 Ways to Become a Successful Entrepreneur, he explains to kids that play in the NBA to take advantage of the situation while you’re playing. I didn’t, like I should’ve, because there are so many other people I could probably be doing business with from who knows what perspective, now that I’m not playing anymore. But I’m building up – I’m currently part owner of a water bottle company in New Mexico, I’m a major investor in a new casino being developed in Diamondhead, Mississippi, and I’m most likely getting involved with the Kings and the City with the new arena, in retail. It’s just a matter of
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