WELL-SUITED BLUE-COLLAR PLAYER HAS WHITE-COLLAR FUTURE.

Byline: Gideon Rubin Staff Writer

PALMDALE - David Kennedy hopes to have a career in high-finance some day, in part because he likes to dress sharply.

However, he's hardly making a fashion statement as a member of the Highland High boys' basketball team. His play has a blue-collar look to it, as he averages 14.8 rebounds (and 12.4 points) per game - 16.4 rebounds (12.4 points) in Golden League play.

The 6-foot-7 center has helped keep Bulldogs (10-8, 6-2) in contention for a league title. Highland plays at Lancaster (18-7, 6-2) tonight, with at least a share of the league crown at stake for both teams, who are tied for first place.

``I think it'd be lovely to wear a suit all the time,'' he said. ``That'd be classic for me, wearing a suit all the time, and not just because you have to but because you want to.''

If his 4.1 GPA is any indication, Kennedy is on course to do whatever he wants.

He's too busy to keep daily tabs on the financial world but does follow the stock market and is confident the current bear market will soon end. At least he hopes so. He's already begun investing at the direction of his grandfather, a former stockbroker.

Although it's painful to watch his portfolio sink, he at least can watch his rebounding rise. He's pulled down 20 or more twice - 22 against Lancaster and 20 against Palmdale. His scoring isn't a priority.

``It's rare to find players who want to do all the dirty work and get all the rebounds,'' said Highland coach Jeff Smith. ``You just don't find that with too many kids.''

Kennedy is in his second year on the varsity team. He saw little playing time last season, though, backing up Idel Dawson, who's now at Antelope Valley College.

Last season, Kennedy rebounded from a serious injury. As a sophomore on the junior varsity, he suffered a compound fracture in his right (shooting) arm when he landed on it after blocking a shot on a breakaway. A stunned crowd watched him go into shock and be taken away by ambulance to a nearby hospital.

However, all Kennedy could think about was what the season-ending injury meant to his team, which was 8-0 in league at the time. That, and the play he'd just made.

``I was thinking that was my best block ever,'' he said, ``I was happy about it in a way.''

Kennedy was in a cast for three months and couldn't shoot with his right arm for another month. He didn't forget his team, though.

``That kid still came to every single practice and went to every single game,'' said Smith, then Highland's junior varsity coach. ``He sat right behind me on the bench, and right when summer league started, he was the first player ready to go. That means a lot when the players see a kid who's injured and he doesn't want to just sit in the stands, he still wants to be part of the team.''

The injury had a positive side, at least from a basketball standpoint: He learned to dribble and shoot with his left hand and has since begun an aggressive strength-training program. He gained 20 pounds over the summer and can now bench-press 235 pounds, compared with just 135 when he began his program.

Kennedy once was pushed around but now does the pushing. His unique combination of strength, size and athleticism has drawn attention from college scouts. He's been offered a scholarship to Division II University of Seattle and has received recruiting letters from Air Force and San Diego State, among others.

Smith said most scouts aren't even aware of his tremendous upside, pointing out that Kennedy starting playing basketball later than most. His poise is obvious, though.

``He's an intelligent player,'' teammate Mike Snyder said. ``He handles pressure well and he's someone who can make the big shot for us at the end of a game.''

Said Smith: ``He rarely makes a bad outlet pass. If it isn't there, he won't force it, and if it is, he'll take it downcourt as quickly as he can.''

Kennedy is looking forward to playing at the collegiate level. However, academics will always come first.

``I think it's always going to come down to your academics because that's where your life is at, your education,'' he said. ``Basketball is great, but it's only going to take you so far.

``When I'm an old man, I'm not going to be dunking on anyone; so you have to rely on what you have, and that's education.

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David Kennedy, a 6-7 center, averages 14.8 points and 12.4 rebounds for Highland High.

Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer