AsiaSunset
Postdoc
Posts: 2399
Reg: 11-21-04
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08-04-09 05:14 AM - Post#64754
Jerica Williams
CaliforniaPreps.com Staff Writer
In a search for an institution where he could flourish as a student and an athlete, rising senior Austin Kelly of North Hollywood Harvard-Westlake has verbally committed to the University of Pennsylvania (Ivy league).
Major factors in Kelly's decision were the appeal of strong academics and the importance of a strong relationship with the coaches.
While attending the University of Penn's basketball camp, Kelly got a chance to see firsthand how much the coaches wanted him to come there. "The coaches and the staff really liked me and I knew they had my best interest in mind." As a player, one might enter the recruiting process not really knowing what to expect. But to Kelly, it was exactly what he expected. "It was hard, but I expected it to be hard".
Photo by Dave Keefer
Austin Kelly
The final decision-making process came down to a night out to dinner with mom and dad, Meme and Rennie. The Kelly family wanted to make sure that the pressure of the recruiting process didn't make Austin's decision too stressful. The family dinner solved that worry. According to Meme, "We wrote down a pro con list on a napkin at the restaurant. In a very informal manner, we listened to Austin intently." In a very relaxed setting, the Kelly family didn't want anything to seem forced, and with a list where the pros outweighed the cons, the decision seemed easy.
In asking Austin who inspired his decision the most, he replied, "My mom. She has good vibes and knows me better than I know myself." Good vibes can definitely go a long way, especially when your youngest son is going off to college on the opposite coast. But with Austin's maturity and encouraging vibes, Meme Kelly is excited about her son going to school in Philadelphia. "I am happy that he's going to be able to experience a different lifestyle".
With one more year left to play at Harvard-Westlake, Austin is excited to compete for a State title in his senior season. In doing so, he is also anxious to prepare his body physically for competition at the collegiate level. "I have to get a lot bigger to be effective at the Division 1 level. My biggest challenge is going to be my strength." Austin's work ethic will definitely enable him to improve and excel as a player in his final high school season. And not to mention, prepare him for competition in the Ivy League.
The Ivy League is also a good place to be for a young man who demonstrates promising ambitions as an athlete and a person. In speaking with Austin, he appears to know exactly where he sees his experience at Penn taking him in the next 5 years. "In 5 years, I see myself playing overseas for a few years, then coming back to be a sports agent of some sort." With a degree in business from such a prestigious institution, that should be no problem for this humble young man.
Playing basketball since the age of 6, Austin and his parents are eager to enjoy his senior season without any added pressure of picking a college. "Basketball should be fun", says Meme. It should be! Although most may forget that aspect, especially during the recruiting process, Austin is excited about having fun on the court this year.
With a smart, mature, and talented son and brother, Austin's entire family (which includes brothers Rennie, Jr. and Corey) is exuberant about watching him excel as a player, a student, and a person at the University of Pennsylvania
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Howard Gensler
Postdoc
Posts: 2605
Reg: 11-21-04
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08-04-09 11:59 AM - Post#64760
In response to AsiaSunset
Nice article about Kelly the person but it doesn't say much about Kelly the basketball player.
All I know is that he plays on a very good Harvard-Westlake team, is athletic and can shoot and score.
When Perry Bromwell saw him at the Quaker Basketball Camp, he said, "He reminds me of a young PB."
That would be a very nice player to have.
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FlaQuaker
Freshman
Posts: 99
Age: 27
Loc: Florida
Reg: 12-04-07
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08-04-09 02:58 PM - Post#64762
In response to Howard Gensler
Anyone know anything else about this guy? We now have 2 SG's lined up for the entering class of 2010...I wonder how he compares to Rennard.
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penn62
Masters Student
Posts: 556
Reg: 11-27-05
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Re: Austin Kelly Commitment
08-04-09 04:11 PM - Post#64765
In response to AsiaSunset
http://www.maxpreps.com/athletes/sLqBGXcCjUuJ p0yL4...
I think we'll be very pleased with this player. Assuming this link works, you'll see some good footage.
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Bryan
Freshman
Posts: 54
Loc: Philadelphia
Reg: 11-21-04
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Re: Austin Kelly Commitment
08-04-09 05:04 PM - Post#64767
In response to penn62
There's also a short write-up of Austin Kelly from ESPN at the link below.
http://insider.espn.go.com/ncb/recruiting/tracke r/...
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Howard Gensler
Postdoc
Posts: 2605
Reg: 11-21-04
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Re: Austin Kelly Commitment
08-04-09 06:11 PM - Post#64769
In response to penn62
You've got to like 59% from inside the arc, 38% from beyond the arc and 80% from the line.
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foehi
Masters Student
Posts: 526
Reg: 12-22-04
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Re: Austin Kelly Commitment
08-05-09 09:02 AM - Post#64778
In response to penn62
Nice srtoke, excellent elevation. Highlight films don't revel much but it looks like he can play. Be nice if he could bring #15 with him.
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Mike Porter
Masters Student
Posts: 826
Loc: Los Angeles, CA
Reg: 11-21-04
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08-05-09 09:40 PM - Post#64799
In response to foehi
Highlight reels are always skewed towards the good play obviously, but based on the bits of footage in the link Austin looks like a good player and a good addition. I'll definitely try to catch him playing when his high school season starts up.
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