SDSU to have 2018 PF Andre Kelly in for a visit
Andre Kelly has had a steady rise over the past year and his recruitment seems to be following right along with it.
The Stockton (Calif.) Lincoln high forward finished last summer several scholarships and then added his first two Pac-12 offers shortly following the spring evaluation period.
Entering the summer, more schools will be lined up to further evaluate him and potentially offer.
San Diego State is one of those programs, having shown interest throughout the spring with plans to also check him out during the summer evaluation periods. The Aztecs have a major need for versatile big men for the class of 2018 and will have Kelly on campus for a visit as soon as this month.
The future losses of Cal grad transfer Kameron Rooks and senior Malik Pope to graduation will have SDSU providing serious minutes to 2018 post prospects.
At 6-foot-8, 235 pounds, Kelly has the handles and slashing ability to find success from the perimeter but does most of his damage around the rim. He also averaged 24 points and 15 rebounds as a junior.
“Coaches like my versatility, my ball handling and how I can play inside and out,” he said. “I’ve been solid and consistent. I made a name for myself last summer and I backed it up this year.
“I can post up against smaller guys or if I end up being guarded by a bigger guy I can get by him. They also like how I can grab rebounds and either start the fast break or go coast to coast.”
Kelly is the type of athletic big that SDSU has sought after over the past several years, so the interest is definitely mutual.
“SDSU wants me to come out for a visit and I would love to go do that,” he said. “It’s a good school and they’re in a competitive league. My parents and friends would be able to see me play so there’s a lot of good things about it. The coaching staff is really good too.
“I talk with the assistants a lot and they want to see me in the next live period. The head coach wants to come see me. My coach tells me more schools want to watch me in the summer before they go further. So San Diego State is one of them, and then some more from the Pac-12.”
So far, Kelly has only visited UC Santa Barbara this spring (there was a tournament nearby). He plans to check out SDSU soon while the local programs, Cal and Santa Clara, should get visits this summer as well. Nevada is another program showing strong interest.
“I’m just looking for a school where I can make an impact,” he said. “I want to know my role as a freshman and if I can make a difference at the start. I’m also looking at schools by checking out who they have at my position and if they’re playing style suits me. Those are the main two things I’m looking for, along with my relationship with the head coach.”