Kevin Sinnett

Kevin Sinnett is an American former college basketball player and naval officer. He played for the Navy Midshipmen from 1975 to 1979, finishing with 1,686 points and 800 rebounds. A 6-foot-6 forward and team captain, he was selected by the Boston Celtics in the 1979 NBA draft, but chose to pursue a military career. ^[1][2]

A native of Washington, D.C., he earned All‑Met honors in high school^[3] and later served as a commander in the United States Navy. The Naval Academy presents the Kevin Sinnett Academic Achievement Award in his honor.^{[2] [4]}

Kevin Sinnett was born and raised in Washington, D.C. and attended St. John's College High School (Washington, D.C.)^[1] where he played in the competitive WCAC. He earned a reputation as a physical, high-IQ forward and was named to the All‑Met Basketball Team by The Washington Post in 1975.^[3]

Sinnett played four years at the United States Naval Academy, suiting up for the Midshipmen from 1975 to 1979. He became a key contributor and team captain during his senior season.^[5] Known for his rebounding, efficient scoring, and leadership, Sinnett helped maintain Navy’s competitiveness among independent programs in the pre-Patriot League era.

Notable teammates included Hank Kuzma, who contributed a 14.2 ppg/7.9 rpg presence in Sinnett’s freshman year; Jack Stumborg, his fellow senior forward at 12.2 ppg in 1978–79; and guard Chuck Greene,“1978–79 Navy Midshipmen Men's Basketball,” a key backcourt figure with a 13.5 ppg sophomore season.^[6]

Sinnett’s collegiate statistics are available via Sports-Reference.com.^[6]

Sinnett was selected by the Boston Celtics in the ninth round (168th overall) of the 1979 NBA draft.^[7] However, he did not pursue a professional basketball career due to a mandatory five-year active-duty service commitment as a graduate of the United States Naval Academy. ^[2]

After graduating from the United States Naval Academy in 1979, Sinnett began a distinguished career as a pilot in the United States Navy. Over nearly 25 years of service, he rose to the rank of commander, leading a 350-person naval aviation squadron and overseeing a fleet of eight Navy aircraft. His assignments took him and his family to over a dozen military bases, where he developed strong leadership skills and a global perspective.^[2]

In 2001, Sinnett served as interim Director of Athletics at the United States Naval Academy. Following the September 11 attacks, he oversaw the cancellation of all intercollegiate and extracurricular activities for the weekend out of respect for the victims and national mourning.^[8]

Commander, U.S. Navy (Ret.)

Naval Aviator insignia

In 2008, Sinnett was appointed General Manager of Ladera Resort in Saint Lucia. The role followed his retirement from the U.S. Navy and represented a shift from military to civilian leadership. He was responsible for overseeing the resort’s operations and staff, drawing on his prior management experience in the military.^[2]

• The Washington Post: Kevin Sinnett was featured in a 1975 article recognizing his selection to the All‑Met basketball team, naming him one of the most consistent forwards in the region.^[3]
• The Washington Post: Covered Navy’s 1977 loss to George Washington, noting Kevin Sinnett’s efforts in a physical matchup led by GW’s Mike Holloran.^[10]
• The Washington Post: Included Kevin Sinnett in a 1978 national roundup of Washington-area basketball stars playing across the country, recognizing his collegiate success at Navy.^[11]
• The Washington Post: Reported that academic standards limited Navy’s 1978 recruiting class, increasing pressure on upperclassmen like Kevin Sinnett to lead the program.^[12]
• The Washington Post: Previewed the 1978–79 college basketball season and spotlighted Kevin Sinnett as a key returning senior for Navy.^[13]
• The Washington Post: Featured Navy’s 82–66 loss to Penn in December 1978, during which Kevin Sinnett was held to eight points.^[14]
• The Washington Post: Profiled Kevin Sinnett in a 1978 feature on local college basketball prospects, describing him as a central figure in Navy’s offense.^[15]
• Navy Sports Quarterly: Profiled Kevin Sinnett during the 1978–79 season, highlighting his 19.3 points and 8.1 rebounds per game as a senior leader.^[6]
• The Washington Post: Reported Navy’s 47–42 victory over VCU in January 1979, where Kevin Sinnett hit the go-ahead basket and scored 16 points.^[16]
• The Washington Post: Noted that “Kevin Sinnett scored 14 points during a Navy surge late in the second half” in a February 1979 comeback victory over Randolph‑Macon.^[17]
• The Washington Post: Listed Kevin Sinnett among top senior standouts selected for postseason all-star games in 1979, including the Capital Classic.^[18]
• CBS Sports: In 2020, Kevin Sinnett was cited as one of only three Navy players to shoot 10-for-10 from the field in a game, a feat matched by Evan Wiecks in a win over Holy Cross.^[19]

Sinnett is remembered as one of Navy's top frontcourt players of the 1970s, known for his physicality, basketball IQ, and consistent scoring. He finished his collegiate career with over 1,600 points and was a dominant rebounder, regularly matching up against larger opponents with tenacity and discipline. As team captain, he was praised for his leadership on and off the court, helping guide the Midshipmen through a competitive independent schedule.

Kevin was the cornerstone of our team—intelligent, physical, and reliable.

— Dave Smalley, The Washington Post^[1]

Beyond his playing days, Sinnett remained involved in the game through coaching and mentorship, particularly in the Washington, D.C. area, where he inspired younger athletes with his example of service, resilience, and academic excellence. His dual legacy as a standout athlete and naval officer is recognized annually through the Kevin Sinnett Academic Achievement Award, presented by the United States Naval Academy to a student-athlete who exemplifies both academic and athletic excellence.^{[2] [4]}

Sinnett is married to Doreen Sinnett, and together they have been active in both military and civilian communities. Their daughter, Jackie Sinnett, was commissioned as a U.S. Navy officer in 2005.^[20] After retiring from the Navy and hospitality industry, the Sinnetts relocated to Oquossoc, Maine, where they have supported community conservation efforts through the Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust.^[21]

• Navy Midshipmen men's basketball
• United States Naval Academy
• United States Navy
• 1979 NBA draft
• Naval Aviator
• Commander (United States)
• Meritorious Service Medal (United States)
• Kevin Sinnett Academic Achievement Award
• Mike Orfini
• David Robinson