Last Updated on August 7, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Kenny Carr was an athletic forward who brought energy, rebounding, and above-the-rim play to the NBA during the late 1970s and 1980s. His explosiveness made him an exciting player to watch, while his willingness to battle inside helped him remain a valuable contributor for multiple teams.

Here is detailed information about Kenny Carr:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Kenneth Alan Carr
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born August 15, 1955
  • Hometown: Washington, D.C., USA
  • Height: 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 m)
  • Weight: 220 lbs (100 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 8 inches
  • Shoe Size: Size 15 (US)
  • Number: 33, 23, 44
  • Position: Power Forward / Small Forward
  • High School: DeMatha Catholic High School (Hyattsville, Maryland)
  • College: North Carolina State University (1974–1977)
  • NBA Draft
    • Year: 1977
    • Pick: 6th overall
    • Team: Los Angeles Lakers
  • Teams Played For
    1. Los Angeles Lakers (1977–1979)
    2. Cleveland Cavaliers (1979–1982)
    3. Detroit Pistons (1982–1983)
    4. Portland Trail Blazers (1983–1987)
  • Championship Rings
    • NBA Championships: None
  • Kids: Not widely documented publicly.
  • Siblings: Not widely documented publicly.

Player Archetype / Play Style

Kenny Carr’s player archetype was that of a powerful two-way combo forward, a strong 6-foot-7, 220-pound frontcourt piece who could score, rebound, and still play with more skill than many players his size. NC State’s historical profiles frame him as one of the school’s finest all-around players and one of its toughest, strongest forwards, while later NC State coverage relayed Phil Ford’s view that Carr was a little ahead of his time because he had the size and strength to play inside but also the ability to operate on the perimeter, hit jumpers, and drive the ball. That points to a defensive role built on physicality and versatility against opposing forwards, and an offensive role as a secondary scoring-and-rebounding threat who could face up, attack openings, and contribute without needing an offense built entirely around him. Overall, his play style comes across as rugged, efficient, and adaptable rather than flashy, with real value in the blend of strength, mobility, and all-around production that made him effective on both ends. (Basketball Reference)

Scouting Report

Kenny Carr always struck me as a forward who played best when the game had a little chaos to it. Give him space to run, let him slip into the gaps before the defense is organized, and suddenly his athleticism became a real weapon without needing plays called for him. In the half court, he did his best work cutting from the weak side, diving out of screen actions, crashing the offensive glass, and attacking a rotating defense instead of trying to manufacture shots against a set defender. He wasn’t a polished isolation scorer or someone who consistently created offense with advanced footwork on the block, but he had a knack for finding the second action after the initial advantage was created. That’s easy to overlook because many of his best possessions began with someone else’s penetration. Defensively, Carr covered ground well enough to switch onto wings for stretches, recovered quickly as the low man when teammates were beaten, and used his leaping ability more to challenge shots vertically than chase blocks from impossible angles. The trade-off came against stronger post players who could establish deep position before he was able to use his quickness, and his offensive decision-making occasionally sped up when defenses crowded him, leading to forced finishes instead of simple kick-outs. Even so, his value was clear on teams that wanted movement rather than static basketball. He fit naturally beside a skilled post scorer or a dominant primary ball handler because he filled the empty spaces, screened without needing credit, and punished defenses that lost track of him around the rim. To me, there are shades of Shawn Marion’s off-ball activity—without the same defensive range or overall impact—and flashes of Jerome Kersey in the way he attacked open floor opportunities and turned hustle plays into efficient offense rather than relying on isolation scoring.

Fun Facts

  • College Career: At NC State, Kenny Carr was a dominant forward, helping his team remain competitive in the ACC.
  • Professional Impact: While he didn’t achieve stardom in the NBA, Carr was a solid role player known for his rebounding and hustle.
  • Post-NBA Career: After retiring, Carr has stayed out of the public spotlight, focusing on private endeavors.

Sources:

NC State University Athletics — Kenny Carr
NC State University Athletics — Kenny Carr Carried On Thompson’s Scoring Legacy
Basketball-Reference — Kenny Carr Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more