Kelley A High Impact Player

After Tre Kelley posted 35 points on a talented Our Savior New American team, some heads were shaking the next day. The heads that were shaking were from the coaching staff of Our Savior. Many just shook their heads and didn't have any explanations on why they could stop Kelley, the 6-1, 180 pound senior point guard from Dunbar High School in Washington, D.C.

What they couldn't explain, RivalsHoops.com can. Tre Kelley is an outstanding offensive player who has incredible moves that allow him to split defenders, dart around big men inside, and score from impossible angles.

Kelley, who has committed to South Carolina, is likely to accomplish the same things on the college level. Kelley went up against some tough competition last weekend at the second annual Rim Rocker Classic held at Longwood High School on Long Island.

Our Savior features a front line of Oumar Sylla (6-6), Konimba Diarra (6-9), and Juan Palacios (6-8). Sylla is signed with Valpo, Diarra has inked an LOI with South Florida, and Palacios is a top 25 player in the 2004 class. So Kelley going inside against these three forwards is like going up against a talented college team. In other words, if Kelley can drop 35 against Our Savior, why can't he eventually have some games like this on the college level?

"The basketball situation is best for me at South Carolina," Kelley said. "Coach Odom told me that I'm the type of player he needs to get the team back on track. And the players coming back next season will make it possible for me to improve as a point guard."

Kelley certainly can be noted as a scoring point guard. But you want him to think about scoring first since he excels at that part of the game. Kelley, who chose the Gamecocks over Georgia Tech, Maryland, West Virginia, Miami (FL) and Kent State, averaged 27.9 points, 8.7 assists, 4.8 rebounds and 2.1 steals last season. He is right around those figures this season.

Kelley, who made the Rim Rocker All Tournament team, was among the more exciting players (Mike Jones of Thayer included) that wowed the crowds at Longwood High School. He is a special offensive player and worth the price of admission. South Carolina fans will be thrilled to have Kelley aboard next season.