Built Ford Tough! Motor City's Own Peyton Kemp
In the serene expanse of Orchard Lake, Michigan, lies St. Mary’s Preparatory, the Division 1 champions of the 2023-2024 season. Among their standout players is Peyton Kemp, a 6’1” point guard who is rapidly drawing the attention of Division 1 coaches nationwide. He embodies reliability, resilience, and peak performance—much like a Ford truck built in the Motor City. Today, we delve into an engaging interview with Peyton, exploring the experiences and influences that have shaped his path.
Can you share your experience training with Phil Handy? How has he influenced your game and what specific skills have you developed under his guidance?
"The experiences I’ve had with Phil have been nothing but amazing honestly I learned something new after every workout with him and the details weren’t ever too big but it was really the small technical details that made all the difference in being able to do something and not being able to do something. Whether it’s having a wide base when I’m dribbling or covering space in my moves when I’m trying to set up the defender with Phil he just helped me pay attention to all of the small details of the game because they mean just as much as the big stuff."
How has your participation in AAU basketball shaped your development as a player? What have been some of the highlights and challenges of playing at that level?
"AAU basketball has been in my life since the very start of me playing since I was 7 years old to be honest I still remember my first tournament but AAU basketball has taken me to places I wouldn’t have imagined of as a young kid and it has helped me build lifetime friendships as well through the wins, trophies, medals and stuff of that nature it helped me build great memories with my teammates over the years. The losses helped me build character on the same token because the losses stung but were the motivation I needed to push myself to get better at the same time. The biggest challenge with AAU basketball is really just being consistent game in and game out."
As a student-athlete at St. Mary's, how do you balance your academic responsibilities with the demands of basketball? What strategies do you use to stay on top of both?
"Being a student athlete at St. Mary’s has been nothing but wonderful this past year but I couldn’t really speak on the balance of it considering I sat out all of last year with the knee injury but the strategy that’s used is sacrifice whether it’s getting workouts done early in the morning or late at night or staying up a little later so I can study or finish homework for my classes."
Can you walk us through your pre-game routine? How do you mentally and physically prepare for a big game?
"Before games I normally listen to music and stretch and kind of mentally detach myself from all the other distractions and think about how I could impact the game that I’m about to play. Physically the preparation is really just stretching and making sure I’m loose before I play but that’s for every game."
Who are your biggest role models in basketball, and why? How have they influenced your approach to the game?
"The biggest role model in my game is my mom. She introduced me to basketball and has been guiding me through the whole journey so far and I appreciate her for that. My mom taught me to have fun with basketball no matter what but you have to compete at the highest level you can regardless of who you’re playing against."
How would you describe the chemistry and dynamic within your team at St. Mary's? What do you think makes your team successful?
"The chemistry dynamic at St. Mary’s is very good honestly I think we’re able to be successful because we’re all friends outside the game we spend time together and we make the most of the time we have together but on the court we all do want to see each other succeed and we all are competitors whether it’s in practice when we’re competing with each other or if we are playing against someone else I think our competitive edge is something special."
Looking ahead, what are your goals for the future in both basketball and life? How do you plan to achieve them?
"In basketball my goals are to just to keep progressing my game and keep getting better hopefully get looks from college coaches and make it to that next level in basketball but short term in basketball it’s really to get another state championship. In life is to figure out what my college major is going to be and keep my grades up so I can do whatever I choose outside of basketball."
What has been the most significant challenge you’ve faced in your basketball career so far, and how did you overcome it? How has it helped you grow as a player?
"The biggest challenge I have faced in my basketball career was the knee surgery. It took a lot of patience and perseverance to make it through that time but during the time I was out it helped me build my character as a young man and a player. It also helped me understand that basketball isn’t forever so I might as well make the most of it while it’s lasting."
How has the environment at St. Mary's contributed to your development both as a student and an athlete? What aspects of the school do you appreciate the most?
"The environment at St. Mary's was nothing but welcoming to me since the first day I stepped onto campus. As a student St. Mary's has helped me to understand that teachers will take the time to understand you as a person and relationships can be built over time if respect and understanding is given both ways. As an athlete it just reminded me that your team is family because after I got hurt they all checked in on me to make sure I was doing well and even though I wasn’t playing I still supported them because they were my brothers."
How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect your training and playing schedule? What adjustments did you have to make, and what did you learn from that experience?
"The Covid-19 pandemic was unexpected but it really didn’t stop basketball for me besides actually playing against other people for a while but the work was still getting put in. If you were to ask me during that specific time period is when my game would end up taking the next step from just a scrawny kid who had some talent to a kid who had some more muscle to him and understood the game on a way bigger level. When Covid first started I was just working out with my mom and a few of my friends on a daily basis and a lot of core memories were made from that time. Also, during that time I ended up going to California for about 9 months and during those months I had a lot of opportunities with basketball from working out with Darren Collison and all the guys at Pro’s Vision. To meeting Omar and him helping me take my body to the next step."
What advice would you give to younger players aspiring to reach your level of success in high school basketball? What do you wish you had known when you started?
"Advice I would give to someone trying to succeed on the high school level in basketball is to keep shooting the basketball because you have to be able to hit open shots when they’re presented to you. Also, to keep having fun because it gets more and more intense as the level goes up but you still have to have fun while doing it. Lastly to stay in the weight room keep your body strong so people won’t push you around and you’ll be able to hold your own. One thing I wish I would’ve known before this all started was how fast it really went because it’s all really a blur when you really take the time to reflect on it."
As Peyton reflects on his journey, his dedication and passion for the game are evident in every word. His commitment to continuous improvement and his ability to overcome challenges have already set him apart from his contemporaries .
In a fitting testament to his hard work and potential, Kemp received his first Division 1 offer from Old Dominion during the process of this interview. "Getting that offer felt surreal," Kemp says with a smile. "It's a validation of all the effort I've put in and motivates me to keep pushing forward."
Beyond basketball, Peyton Kemp is also making an impact through his nonprofit organization, Peyton's Joyful Projects. Established in January 2020, this nonprofit aims to spread joy and support community initiatives. The organization is based in Clinton Township, Michigan, and managed by Tatanisha Kemp. Through this endeavor, Kemp continues to demonstrate his commitment to excellence and community service.
I extend my sincere gratitude to Peyton for his time and effort in thoroughly answering our questions. His thoughtful responses are greatly appreciated by both our team and our readers.
For more updates and to follow Peyton's journey:
Twitter/X: https://x.com/Peyton_kemp26
Instagram: https://t.co/pz0mzEjwOo
Email: kemptia32@gmail.com
Phone: 313.218.1692