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.

William Kennedy: NBA Referee

William Kennedy is a well-known referee in the world of basketball. He has been a referee in the NBA for many years, making sure games are played fairly and by the rules. Referees like Kennedy are crucial for the sport, as they help maintain order and ensure fair play between teams.

Early Life and Career

William Kennedy grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, where he attended St. Mary's High School. After high school, he went on to study at Arizona State University. Before joining the NBA, Kennedy gained valuable experience by refereeing in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA). He even officiated the CBA Finals in both 1995 and 1996, which are championship games for that league.

He started his career as an NBA referee during the 1995-96 NBA season. This was a time when there was a disagreement involving the regular referees. Kennedy stepped in to help officiate games during this period.

Refereeing in the NBA

Kennedy has had a distinguished career in the NBA. He has been chosen to referee some of the most important games in basketball.

Big Games and Tournaments

Throughout his career, William Kennedy has officiated five NBA Finals games. The NBA Finals are the championship series of the NBA, where the best teams compete for the title. Being selected to referee these games shows the high level of trust and respect he has earned.

Beyond the NBA, Kennedy has also refereed international basketball events. He was an official at the 2010 FIBA World Championships, which is a major international tournament featuring national teams from around the world. He also officiated at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, a dream for many sports officials.

Handling Tough Situations

Referees often face challenging moments during games, especially when emotions run high. On March 17, 2009, Kennedy had to eject Boston Celtics' coach Doc Rivers from a game. Rivers was later fined for comments he made about Kennedy after the game. Kennedy also received a fine for how he handled the situation.

In December 2015, Kennedy ejected player Rajon Rondo from a game. Rondo used inappropriate language towards Kennedy, which led to Rondo being suspended for one game. These incidents show that referees must make tough decisions and maintain control, even when faced with strong reactions from players and coaches.