Bill Kennedy (referee) facts for kids
William Gene Kennedy (born November 10, 1966) is an American professional basketball referee for the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is known for his long career officiating many important basketball games.
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Early Life and Career
William Kennedy grew up in Phoenix, Arizona. He went to St. Mary's High School and later attended Arizona State University. After college, he began his career as a basketball referee.
Starting as a Referee
Before joining the NBA, Kennedy worked as a referee in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA). He even officiated the CBA Finals in both 1995 and 1996. This experience helped him prepare for the big leagues.
Joining the NBA
Kennedy became an NBA referee during the 1995-96 NBA season. Over the years, he has become a highly respected official. He has refereed many major games, including five NBA Finals games. The NBA Finals are the championship series of the NBA, so officiating these games is a big honor.
International Experience
Beyond the NBA, Kennedy has also officiated international basketball tournaments. He worked at the 2010 FIBA World Championships, which is a major global basketball competition. He also refereed games at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Officiating at the Olympics is a highlight for any sports official.
Notable Moments
Throughout his career, Kennedy has been involved in many memorable games. Referees often have to make tough decisions that can affect the outcome of a game.
Game Incidents
In March 2009, Kennedy was involved in an incident with Boston Celtics' coach Doc Rivers. Kennedy ejected Coach Rivers from a game. After the game, Coach Rivers made comments about Kennedy, which led to him being fined. Kennedy was also fined for how he handled the situation.
Later, in December 2015, Kennedy ejected player Rajon Rondo from a game. Rondo was suspended for one game because of his actions towards Kennedy during the incident. These events show that referees sometimes face difficult situations on the court.
Legacy and Impact
William Kennedy has had a long and impactful career as an NBA referee. He has been a part of many historic basketball moments. His dedication to officiating has helped ensure fair play in professional basketball for decades.
