Due to a restriction of prenatal blood circulation, Laue was born with a left arm that ended just below his elbow; he has a short rounded stump of his forearm. His parents encouraged him to play soccer as a child, but Kevin did not like soccer. He also refused to use a prosthetic arm. He had some struggles as a youth basketball player, but by eighth grade he had grown enough that he could handle a ball with one hand and could dunk a basketball.
Competitive playing career
High school
Laue attended Amador Valley High School near his home where as a junior he played center on the varsitybasketball team. He played about 23 minutes a game and averaged eight points, six blocks and eight rebounds per game. During his junior year, he was described as the team's star. In 2007 Sports Illustrated called him "the most exciting player in basketball" in recognition of his playing prowess with just one hand, but he missed most of his senior year due to a broken leg,. After graduation, he enrolled as a postgraduate at Fork Union Military Academy in Virginia for the 2008–2009 school year. As of December 2008, his season statistics at Fork Union were 6.9 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. As an NCAA prospect, he received recruiting letters from Division III schools, but hoped to be able to play for a Division I team. Scouts, Inc. describes him as a "prospect that could instantly help a number of low-major Division I programs," noting his "quick leaping ability" and effective play on both offense and defense. In March 2009 he was awarded a scholarship from Manhattan College, a Division I school. Kevin wears size 17 shoes and can handle the ball in his large right hand, which an Amador Valley teammate said "is as big as two normal hands." He uses his short forearm stump to help grip the ball after catching a pass. He also uses his stump effectively in defense, despite its short length, using its surprising strength to block opposing players.
College
Laue played his first two seasons with Manhattan College under coach Barry Rohrssen and then under coach Steve Masiello. As a freshman in the 2009–10 season, Laue played in 19 games with an average 2.7 minutes per game and 0.7 rebounds and 0.2 blocks. On December 30, 2009, Laue scored his first career point with a free throw and grabbed a season-high eight rebounds in 17 minutes in Manhattan's 86-48 loss to Vanderbilt. Laue subsequently scored on field goals in two other games. In 2010–11, his sophomore year, Laue played in 22 games and started three games. On December 11 against Binghamton, Laue played 14 minutes and scored 6 points on 3-for-4 shooting. In that game, Laue also made 3 rebounds and 2 blocks. On December 22 against Bowling Green, Laue played 13 minutes, scored 4 points off field goals, and made 5 rebounds. Cumulatively, Laue made 21 rebounds and 5 blocks this season. In his junior year, 2011–12, Laue grabbed 9 rebounds and blocked 7 shots. Manhattan qualified for the 2012 CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament, but Laue did not play in the tournament. After graduating from Manhattan College in only three years, Laue's career totals came to 36 points, 42 rebounds, 15 blocks, 1 steal, and 1 assist.
