Whats next for Brumbaugh

As the only returning starter for his DeLand (Fla.) High School team, Keith Brumbaugh's season ended much earlier than he would have liked with a loss in the district tournament. Brumbaugh, the No. 13 ranked player in the Rivals150 going into the high school season, posted an impressive stat line for the year and is now waiting to see if he made the MacDonald's All-American game. He is also waiting to see if he has an immediate future in the NBA.

On the season, Brumbaugh, a 6-foot-8, 205-pound small forward, averaged 30 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals and 2.5 blocks per game as his team finished 16-10. Yet, it was Brumbaugh's emotional growth during the season that impressed his coach the most.

"Keith matured so much over the season," said Coach John Zeoli of DeLand High School. "For example, we lost a tough game in the district, and Keith was upset but under control. He went down our opponents bench and congratulated all the players and the coaches.

"Every gym we went into, they were chanting 'overrated' and on Keith all the time. He handled a lot of situations better than I could have handled them."

Brumbaugh made strides in the skill areas of his game as well as in his mental approach to the game.

"Keith was totally unselfish with the ball this year," said Zeoli. "He could have had even more assists if our guys would have done a little better job catching the ball and finishing. But he did pass the ball tremendously well this year. His perimeter shot has also gotten better."

Coach Zeoli noted that Brumbaugh shot over 40 percent from the three-point line. He also praised Brumbaugh for his ability to be both unselfish and capable of taking games over with his scoring.

Already on the Jordan All-Star Game roster, Brumbaugh will find out tomorrow if he made the MacDonald's team.

"I don't know if I made it yet," said Brumbaugh. "I just want to play well this spring and see what happens. It is still Florida or Florida State if I don't make a jump to the NBA."

Coach Zeoli said the word he is getting from NBA personnel is that Brumbaugh has a chance to make the jump.

"Of course some teams like him better than others," said Zeoli. "There are two big things that will determine what happens, one if he makes the MacDonald's game and how he plays and then how he plays in the Jordan game. He will market himself in those game, and then he will know more depending on how he plays.

"I tell you though, I am excited for him, because he will finally get to play without being double and triple teamed like he was all this year."