Last Updated on July 24, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Kendall Gill was a versatile guard who could fill up the stat sheet, contributing as a scorer, defender, and playmaker throughout a lengthy NBA career. His athleticism and all-around game allowed him to remain a productive player across multiple teams and eras of basketball.

Here’s a detailed profile on Kendall Gill, a former professional basketball player:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Kendall Cedric Gill
  • Nickname: “Cold World”
  • Nationality: American
  • Date of Birth: May 25, 1968
  • Hometown: Matteson, Illinois, United States (University of Illinois Athletics)
  • Height: 6’5″ (1.96 m) (NBA)
  • Weight: 216 lb (98 kg) in NBA listings; Illinois roster listed him at 195 lb as a senior in college (NBA)
  • Wingspan: Not publicly listed
  • Shoe Size: Not publicly listed
  • Jersey Number: #13 — Illinois Fighting Illini; #13 — Charlotte Hornets; #13 — Seattle SuperSonics; #13 — New Jersey Nets; #13 — Miami Heat; #9 — Minnesota Timberwolves; #13 — Chicago Bulls; #12 — Milwaukee Bucks (University of Illinois Athletics)
  • Position: Shooting guard / small forward
  • High School: Rich Central High School (Olympia Fields, Illinois) (University of Illinois Athletics)
  • College: Illinois (1986–1990)
  • NBA Draft: Charlotte Hornets, 1990, Round 1, Pick 5 (NBA)
  • Teams Played For:
    • Illinois Fighting Illini — 1986–1990 (University of Illinois Athletics)
    • Charlotte Hornets — 1990–1993
    • Seattle SuperSonics — 1993–1995
    • Charlotte Hornets — 1995–1996
    • New Jersey Nets — 1996–2001
    • Miami Heat — 2001–2002
    • Minnesota Timberwolves — 2002–2003
    • Chicago Bulls — 2003–2004
    • Milwaukee Bucks — 2004–2005
  • Championship Rings: 0 (NBA)
  • Children: Two sons, Phoenix and Kota (Wikipedia)
  • Siblings: Not publicly listed

Player Archetype / Play Style

Kendall Gill’s player archetype was that of a two-way slashing wing who could score, defend, and create secondary offence without needing a system built entirely around him. Defensively, he was a disruptive perimeter stopper with quick hands, strong anticipation, and the versatility to check guards or wings, which showed up in both his steals numbers and his reputation as a tough on-ball defender. Offensively, he operated as an attacking scorer who could get downhill, finish in transition, pull up from mid-range, and contribute as a passer when defences collapsed. Physically, Gill brought good size for a wing at 6’5″, long-striding athleticism, and the kind of body control that made him dangerous in the open floor and hard to handle at the point of attack. His overall play style blended pressure defence, slashing, opportunistic shot creation, and all-around backcourt toughness, making him more than just a scorer and less one-dimensional than many wings from his era. (University of Illinois Athletics)

Scouting Report

Kendall Gill always looked most dangerous when the floor opened up because he had a long, gliding stride that covered ground quickly without appearing rushed. He wasn’t a guard who relied on elaborate dribble combinations to shake defenders; instead, he’d attack an exposed shoulder, get downhill with purpose, and once he reached the paint he had the length and body control to finish over rotating bigs or draw help that opened passing lanes to the corners. What stands out is how much of his offense came from reading defensive mistakes rather than forcing difficult shots. He could handle pick-and-roll responsibilities in stretches, but his best possessions usually started with an advantage already created, allowing him to slash, pull up from mid-range, or attack closeouts before the defense could reset. His perimeter jumper was capable of stretching defenses, although it wasn’t consistent enough to make opponents fear every catch, and that’s where defenders were willing to concede space. Defensively, Gill had the physical tools to pressure ball handlers, jump passing lanes, and disrupt wings with his reach, particularly when he could shade drivers toward help instead of absorbing repeated screens as the primary point-of-attack defender. The interesting thing is that he often generated offense through defense, turning deflections into transition opportunities where his speed became much more impactful than it was in a crowded half-court. The trade-off was that his engagement could fluctuate away from the ball, and there were possessions where sharper offensive movement forced him into late recoveries rather than proactive rotations. I’ve always thought his ideal role was as a secondary creator alongside a lead guard who could bend the defense first, giving Gill room to attack a scrambling floor instead of asking him to manufacture every advantage himself. There are similarities to Latrell Sprewell in the way he combined open-floor explosiveness with slashing aggression, while parts of his game also resemble Jerry Stackhouse before the ball became the entire offense. His best basketball wasn’t built around dominating possessions; it came from recognizing exactly when to seize them.

Sources:

University of Illinois Athletics — Kendall Gill
University of Illinois Athletics — 13 Kendall Gill – 1989-90 Men’s Basketball Roster
NBA.com — Kendall Gill | Guard
NBA.com — Most steals by a player in a single NBA game
NBA.com — Top 5 all-time Brooklyn Nets steals leaders
Basketball-Reference — Kendall Gill Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more