Pollard flourishing in time with Horns

By Lethbridge Herald on November 14, 2025.

Herald Photo by Justin Seward KymaniÊPollardÊreactsÊwithÊhisÊhandsÊduringÊpracticeÊearlierÊthisÊweek.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

Fifth-year University of Lethbridge Pronghorn men’s basketball player Kymani Pollard has learned and developed a lot since arriving from the States in 2022.

“I developed extremely well  mentally and physically,” said the Gardena, Calif., product.

“I got a lot bigger, my basketball mind has been engaged and just loving the game more everyday. So, the five years gave me a big opportunity just to showcase my skills here and I’m thankful for that.”

Finding Consistency,  shooting, controlling the pace and becoming a better person  have been the main things that Pollard has focused on in his five years at U of L.

“KO (Kenny Otieno), Ferg (Daniel Ferguson) and Mike (Clemons) just push me everyday, every summer to be a better basketball player,” said Pollard.

“My dad and mom also, they pushed me to be great. So, I just took my talents and I just stuck to the grind.”

Pollard does admit that he does not want to a main leader on the team in his last year.

“I want everybody else to fill the shoes and be self leaders,” said Pollard.

“So it’s not all just focused on one person and that’s how you grow a team as well.”

From adjusting to an increased up and down pace to being mentally strong and playing an effective one-on-one defence is what  Pollard has noticed as differences coming north of the border to play basketball.

“You just gotta know the game (and) play the right way,” said Pollard.

Pollard came from junior college in Washington State to Lethbridge because it felt more like home.

“I talked to a lot of different schools down in the States and they didn’t give me that notion … where they wanted me there ,” said Pollard.

“They gave me opportunity here, so I took it, and it felt like home and they trusted me with my abilities to flourish and just grow my game.”

Pollard hopes to go pro once his collegiate career is complete.

“What more can you ask for in terms of a guy that first of all is  extremely passionate about the game,” said head coach Kenny Otieno.

“He puts in the work, that’s why he’s reaping the benefits  of that right now with his ability to score and ability to create.”

Otieno has also noticed Pollard taking on more of a leadership role this year.

“This year he’s had (the) responsibility of being a little bit more of  a vocal leader and I think he’s owning up to it well,” said Otieno.