New Basketball Commit Kelly talks decision

Peter Ariz
Peter Ariz
3 min read
The University of Miami picked up its 3rd basketball commitment of the 2013 class over the weekend, as James Kelly (6’8”, 240) of Owens Community College joined Davon Reed and DeAndre Burnett in the 2013 class. Originally from Ann Arbor, Kelly spoke about the commitment.

“It feels pretty good because I get to focus on school more and basically get all of the pressure off of my chest,” said Kelly.

Kelly expanded on why he chose Miami.

“I did research on the school and with Coach Larrañaga there building the program up with the winning streaks and players, I thought that if I came in then I could continue that winning. With me being from Michigan, I wanted to take the opportunity to move to Florida and go to school.”

One of the main reasons for his decision was the relationship he developed with Jim Larrañaga.

“He came up for games before and we were connected before that so we built a good relationship through text messages and calls. He would call me and I would call him with questions and he would check up on me to see how I was doing in school. Our relationship is really good."

The success that Miami has endured this season seems to have aided Miami’s case with Kelly.

“It kind of surprised me, but seeing how Miami plays and how they win, I really like their style. I think Coach Larrañaga can help me develop as a player and as a person, so it will be a good opportunity.”

How far does Kelly think the squad can go?

“I think they can win it all if they keep being hungry and keep wanting to stay in the dance.”

The incoming power forward has a wide range of skills.

“My strength is in the paint and I just now started shooting outside and my drive is strong so I can get to the basket pretty easily. I’ve been working on my jump shot so that’s been working out for me good.”

Although he knows it won’t come easily, Kelly is looking to be a main contributor to next season’s squad.

“I told the coaches I would come in and work for whatever I would get, but I would like to be a leader and motivator and be at least a starter or sixth-man to help the team win.”

Kelly was not able to qualify academically out of high school, but he was able to turn that into a positive by going the Junior College route.

“The real reason I went JUCO was because I wasn’t qualified to go division-1 out of high school because of grades and I really didn’t have any schools after me because of that except for Northwood in Michigan. Going JUCO was really a good decision to help me with my grades and it helped me understand how much I need school more than I need basketball and I developed as a player as well.”

Kelly is currently the only big man committed in the class, with seniors Julian Gamble, Kenny Kadji, and Reggie Johnson all gone after the season.

“I have big shoes to fill, but I have to continue to play big and being dominant down low.”

**Kelly has 2 more years to play.
**He chose Miami over the likes of Michigan State, New Mexico, Minnesota, and Nebraska
 

Comments (16)

Awesome. Can't wait for him to get down here.

/ pretty sure he didn't have a real offer from Michigan State but they were definitely interested. There's a picture somewhere in the interwebz of Izzo watching one of his recent practices
 
At first glance, I was pretty concern about how this team would shape up after this season. But honestly, it doesn't look to be that bad. IF Larkin actually stays, I like a starting lineup of Larkin, Jekiri, Brown, Kelly and Swoope/Reed.

Problem is... there isn't much depth after that. Curious to see who else comes in for next year. Elder? Griffin? (Obviously Burnett as well)
 
At first glance, I was pretty concern about how this team would shape up after this season. But honestly, it doesn't look to be that bad. IF Larkin actually stays, I like a starting lineup of Larkin, Jekiri, Brown, Kelly and Swoope/Reed.

Problem is... there isn't much depth after that. Curious to see who else comes in for next year. Elder? Griffin? (Obviously Burnett as well)

Garrius Adams will also be back. If they can land Demetrius Henry, the nucleus for the future looks really nice especially with Henriquez coming in 2014.
 
At first glance, I was pretty concern about how this team would shape up after this season. But honestly, it doesn't look to be that bad. IF Larkin actually stays, I like a starting lineup of Larkin, Jekiri, Brown, Kelly and Swoope/Reed.

Problem is... there isn't much depth after that. Curious to see who else comes in for next year. Elder? Griffin? (Obviously Burnett as well)

Burnett is going to get a spot. Big-Time player

Dream Scenario is

Larkin
Burnett
Brown
Henry
Jekiri

Reed
Adams
Kelly
Swoope/Rafael

That would be a nice 9 man rotation


Griffin is a serious B-Ball prospect but will he get in and since he cant join the team till after F-Ball I wonder how much he can help as a freshman
 
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At first glance, I was pretty concern about how this team would shape up after this season. But honestly, it doesn't look to be that bad. IF Larkin actually stays, I like a starting lineup of Larkin, Jekiri, Brown, Kelly and Swoope/Reed.

Problem is... there isn't much depth after that. Curious to see who else comes in for next year. Elder? Griffin? (Obviously Burnett as well)

Burnett is going to get a spot. Big-Time plater

Dream Scenario is

Larkin
Burnett
Brown
Henry
Jekiri

Reed
Adams
Kelly
Swoope/Rafael

That would be a nice 9 man rotation


Griffin is a serious B-Ball prospect but will he get in and since he cant join the team till after F-Ball I wonder how much he can help as a freshman

I don't see a 6'1 freshman Burnett starting over an experienced and talented senior in Garrius Adams. He is long and athletic and will fill out our wings well with Brown. I could see Burnett def in the rotation though, as a scoring combo guard off the bench.
 
We will see. Adams will need a Gamble type of improvement to hold off Burnett


Plus the other poster had Reed/Swoope as the starter
 
We will see. Adams will need a Gamble type of improvement to hold off Burnett


Plus the other poster had Reed/Swoope as the starter

247 did an article on Adams about a month ago and said that Coach L and the players were raving about him on the scout team. They envision him in Durand Scott's role.
 
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Wow sounds like a great kid... I'll be rooting hard for him (although I would be for any Cane)
 
We will see. Adams will need a Gamble type of improvement to hold off Burnett


Plus the other poster had Reed/Swoope as the starter

247 did an article on Adams about a month ago and said that Coach L and the players were raving about him on the scout team. They envision him in Durand Scott's role.

He is a decent ball handler. I dont see him defending like Scott at all

We will see. I dont envision Burnett starting Day 1, but its a matter of time imo. Felt the same way on Larkin last year
 
We will see. Adams will need a Gamble type of improvement to hold off Burnett


Plus the other poster had Reed/Swoope as the starter

247 did an article on Adams about a month ago and said that Coach L and the players were raving about him on the scout team. They envision him in Durand Scott's role.

He is a decent ball handler. I dont see him defending like Scott at all

We will see. I dont envision Burnett starting Day 1, but its a matter of time imo. Felt the same way on Larkin last year

I'm a fan of Burnett's game (or at least what I've been able to gather of it). It seems he is a shooting guard in a point guard's body (kind of like a Mario Chalmers). If he was a little bigger, I would agree that he would push to start, but that would be a very small backcourt with Larkin. That's why I envision the senior wings (Adams & Brown) holding down the starting spots to provide length and defense. Especially since we lose so much front court rebounding and length this year.

I do think Burnett's scoring ability will make him see the court early in the season and often. I think he is perfect for next season as a scoring threat off the bench. And what I REALLY like is the idea of a Burnett and Adonys Henriquez backcourt in a couple years. Henriquez seems to essentially be a PG with SG size, which is a PERFECT compliment to Burnett.
 
Lets just pray Larkin stays, first....
 
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I like what we have coming back next year. Brown seems to be turning the corner the last month and a half. He is playing a lot more aggressively. If he can become that consistent option for Larkin we'll be looking alright. Getting Adams back will add experience and length on the wing. Jekiri can be a force next year on defense and rebounding, he has also been doing a great job offensive rebounding and getting put backs. The incoming recruits so far look like they can all contribute early. I think the Canes team next year will be able to surprise some people.
 
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