SydCamore
The Captain Level
Jake Kelly is a huge addition to ISU's men's basketball team. Having seen Jake play quite a few games in high school and college, I would say that he very well may be the best player to play at ISU since LB.
You don't often see 6'6" guards in the MVC, or any conference for the matter. Nobody ever talks about the defensive ability of Kelly. He will easily be our best defender and probably the best defensive player in the MVC. What excites me is that we have been torched by good SGs in the last few years (Eldridge, Korver(s), Eli, Crouch, Jacobson, etc.). Now, we have an extremely athletic 6'6"/long defender to put on these guys. I believe that Jake will have as big an impact defensively as he does offensively. He may also be our leading rebounder.
Another thing that excites me is the way that he is going to be able to open things up for some of our other guys..... There are two players that I think are going to individually benefit tremendously with Jake on the court..... First, Jordan Printy.....Jordan is at his best when he can "catch and shoot". He is probably the best pure shooter we have had for a long time (menser was pretty good, but he was better off the dribble). Second, Carl Richard. Carl is going to be able to run a lot more. I think this will allow him to play the offensive style he is used to. Carl is a great rebounder and will be huge for us this year.
Since Lathan hasn't played yet........ I can't predict how Jake will affect his play. However, I thought that Lathan was one of our best players in the scrimmage last year. Expect big things from him.
The only thing I am worried about is....... jealousy. Jake is going to play a lot of minutes/game (32-36). Lathan is also going to play a lot of minutes. We only lost one player from last year. Somebody is going to lose minutes.... Reed?? Carter?? Crawford??
You don't often see 6'6" guards in the MVC, or any conference for the matter. Nobody ever talks about the defensive ability of Kelly. He will easily be our best defender and probably the best defensive player in the MVC. What excites me is that we have been torched by good SGs in the last few years (Eldridge, Korver(s), Eli, Crouch, Jacobson, etc.). Now, we have an extremely athletic 6'6"/long defender to put on these guys. I believe that Jake will have as big an impact defensively as he does offensively. He may also be our leading rebounder.
Another thing that excites me is the way that he is going to be able to open things up for some of our other guys..... There are two players that I think are going to individually benefit tremendously with Jake on the court..... First, Jordan Printy.....Jordan is at his best when he can "catch and shoot". He is probably the best pure shooter we have had for a long time (menser was pretty good, but he was better off the dribble). Second, Carl Richard. Carl is going to be able to run a lot more. I think this will allow him to play the offensive style he is used to. Carl is a great rebounder and will be huge for us this year.
Since Lathan hasn't played yet........ I can't predict how Jake will affect his play. However, I thought that Lathan was one of our best players in the scrimmage last year. Expect big things from him.
The only thing I am worried about is....... jealousy. Jake is going to play a lot of minutes/game (32-36). Lathan is also going to play a lot of minutes. We only lost one player from last year. Somebody is going to lose minutes.... Reed?? Carter?? Crawford??
