Andy Kennedy and Ross Bjork erased the “ominous cloud” and whispers that were surrounding the Ole Miss basketball team Monday afternoon, announcing that the 12-year head coach would be stepping down at the end of the season after the pair came to the mutual decision Sunday.
“It is time for there to be a new voice, a new leader,” Kennedy said.
There were many memorable moments throughout the Kennedy era, including two NCAA Tournament appearances and an unforgettable run in the 2013 SEC Tournament. There were also many Rebels who had illustrious careers during AK’s time at the helm, including the likes of Marshall Henderson, Chris Warren and Stefan Moody, among many others.
As we turn the page on this chapter of Ole Miss basketball, let’s look back on the memorable careers and see who they’re balling for today.
Marshall Henderson (2012-2014)
Probably the most memorable Rebel from the Kennedy era, Henderson, one of the most passionate and polarizing players in NCAA history, led rival fan bases to develop a keen hatred for the sharp shooter from Fort Worth, Texas.
Henderson was the key to Ole Miss’ 2013 SEC Tournament Championship and memorable run in the Big Dance, in which he caught the attention of the basketball world including the king, Lebron James.
“Man that dude Henderson from Ole Miss got the greenest light in basketball history!! Hahaha,” James tweeted during Ole Miss’ NCAA Tournament game against Wisconsin.
Marshall racked up tons of awards and accolades throughout his career, including SEC Rookie of the Year, two second team All-SEC mentions and an SEC Tournament MVP. He also etched his name in the Ole Miss history book by finishing his career third in Ole Miss history in 3-pointers (267), second in 3-pointers attempted (771), third in free-throw percentage (.857) and sixth in scoring average (19.6 ppg). He also holds the SEC records for consecutive games with a 3-pointer (66), 3-point shots made in a season (138) and the NCAA record for 3-pointers attempted in a season (394).
Henderson is currently a free agent and pursuing a comeback. He last played in 2016 for Pavia Basket in Italy, and he made headlines in 2015 when he signed to play in the Super League in Baghdad, Iraq.
Chris Warren (2007-2011)
Chris Warren will go down as one of the most consistent and reliable players in Ole Miss basketball history. The Orlando, Florida, native started 114 games over his four-year career in a Rebel uniform.
Warren was a little guy with unlimited range who hit countless clutch shots, including a game winner against No. 10 Kentucky in 2011. He earned numerous awards and accolades throughout his career, including SEC All-Freshman Team in 2008, second team All-SEC in 2010 and first team All-SEC in 2011.
Although he was short in stature, standing at only 5-foot-10, Warren left a big impact on the Ole Miss and SEC record books. He finished as the all-time leader at Ole Miss in several categories, including assists (452), 3-pointers made (334) and 3-pointers attempted (900).
Warren has played for seven different teams overseas since his last game in a Rebel uniform and currently is a free agent. He last played in 2017 in the Turkish league for Bahcesehir Koleji.
Stefan Moody (2014-2016)
Like Henderson and Warren, Moody had unlimited range and wasn’t afraid to keep shooting if they weren’t falling. However, Moody will be remembered by most Ole Miss fans for his impressive dunking ability. As an only 5-foot-10 point guard, he utilized his explosive 46-inch vertical to throw down some ferocious dunks.
Moody helped lead Ole Miss to a berth in the 2015 NCAA Tournament, in which it defeated BYU in a play in game that will go down as one of the most exciting games in Ole Miss basketball history. After erasing a 17-point halftime deficit, the Rebels defeated the Cougars 94-90.
Stefan earned first team All-SEC honors in 2015 and 2016 and took the conference by storm. With an impressive 19.9 points per game throughout his two-year career, he finished sixth in Ole Miss history.
Moody signed with the Rethymno Cretan Kings of the Greek Basket League in 2017 and has had success as the starting point guard this season. Landing on the 2018 Greek League All-Star team, he made headlines last weekend and won the Greek League All-Star Game Slam Dunk Champion after some mind-blowing dunks.
