Northern Vision Care Youth Athlete of the Month: Kyle Ennis

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — April’s Northern Vision Care Athlete of the Month lives and breathes basketball. He hopes his dedication to the sport will lead to him playing at the collegiate level in the next few years.

Kyle Ennis’ earliest memory of playing basketball was in grade four at Baldonnel Elementary when his mom coached him. Then, in grade seven, he fell in love with the sport after facing more competition and seeing his growth as a player.

I am sure he and his parents didn’t realize how important the game would be to him after that moment.

Now finishing up his grade 11 year at North Peace Secondary School, Kyle was recently on the senior Grizzlies team after playing on the junior squad in grade ten. He has also been involved in club basketball, FSJ Flight, for many years.

When asked what type of player he wants to be, he cited Draymond Green, a versatile and intense competitor on both ends of the court, from the Golden State Warriors of the NBA as his inspiration.

Kyle is certainly heading in that direction as someone who not only focuses on his offensive game, a normal occurrence in today’s game, but also on his role as a defender and a leader. He wants to be wherever his coach and team need him.

His father also helped prepare him for many situations, showing him, at a young age, the moves that a center generally uses. Despite not being very tall or big, Kyle’s intensity, aggression, and move set have enabled him to fit the role of a “big” that is sorely needed on teams in Fort St. John.

His focus on versatility comes from college coaches looking for someone who can guard and play multiple positions —something Kyle can and has done.

“No matter where you throw me on the court, I’ll pick it up somehow.”

Currently, Kyle doesn’t have a specific school he would like to attend, but he is open to staying in Canada or heading to a division two or three school in the USA.

“I’m kind of looking to see, I guess, what division will take me,” said Kyle

Careerwise, he had an idea of what he wanted to do but realized it would be too difficult and is now rethinking what he wants to do for a living.

“I was originally thinking of mechanical engineering, but then after attempting to do physics, I was like, no. So now I’m trying to work more towards the trades and even a personal trainer.”

His biggest takeaway from the game of basketball that has transferred over into his personal life is: “It doesn’t matter what challenges we hit — I’ll get through them.”

It isn’t only the competition that has kept basketball close to his heart over the years. Recent documentaries, such as The Last Dance, and just watching professional athletes compete and grow have kept him locked in.

“I think I watched it six or seven times since COVID,” said Kyle.

His most notable achievements to date include being named a starter for the U17 FSJ Flight Black team this spring and previously being recognized as the most improved player.

“I think the most improved is one because this year, I started towards the bottom of the barrel for the bigs, and now I’m actually catching up with other guys, too.”

When he is not in school or on the court, the 16-year-old is tinkering with his new vehicle.

Congratulations to Kyle Ennis for being named the Northern Vision Care Youth Athlete of the Month for April.

If the athlete you nominated didn’t win this month, keep nominating! The votes carry over, so keep submitting your picks for the Northern Vision Care Youth Athlete of the Month!