kent attended winston churchill high school in eugene, oregon. an 11-time individual and team state champion in basketball and track, he contributed to state team titles in both sports as a junior before repeating track crown his final year. the first-team all-state pick averaged 18 points on the hardwood while leading lancers to a 20-4 record his senior season. on the track, became the state's first four-event individual champion in the same year by winning state 4a titles in the long jump, 100, 200 and 400 meters in 2002. the two-time state track athlete of the year completed his prep career winning three state 400 championships and two 200 and long jump gold medals, setting state records in each of the latter two events. as a junior, bettered 41-year-old state meet long jump record (25-1¼) previously held by mel renfro (24-1¼).