If John F. Kennedy played basketball: point guard, rated 85

John F. Kennedy as a basketball player: scouting report

John F. Kennedy grew up sailing off Cape Cod and swam on the team at Harvard, and he always looked at ease with an audience watching. Put him on a basketball court and he is a point guard, but a scoring one. His shooting and his basketball IQ sit together at the top of his card, so he can run a set for a teammate, then pull up and take the shot himself the moment the defense sags off him.

His passing is nearly as good as his jumper, which is what makes him so hard to guard. Trap him and he finds the open man; play him straight and he scores. He won the Pulitzer Prize for Profiles in Courage, a book about public figures who held their nerve under pressure, and holding your nerve is the entire job of the guard who has the ball with the game on the line. The 1960 televised debates showed how comfortable he was performing under bright lights, and that poise travels to a packed arena. His rebounding and defense are solid without standing out.

Athleticism is the lowest mark on his card. He will not blow past quick guards or finish through heavy contact, so he wins with change of pace, a smooth handle and shot making instead. Slide him to shooting guard and he barely loses anything, since his jumper is the best tool he has; small forward is more of a stretch. Take him early as a lead guard and pair him with a strong defensive wing who can take the toughest perimeter assignment off his hands, plus a big who rebounds so he can leak out.

Plays like A smooth scoring point guard who wants the ball in the big moment

Put John F. Kennedy in your lineup

8 rolls, a starting five and a bench, 82 games. Can you go 82-0? Free, no account.