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
“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
