Prospect Spotlight: Kelby Mabin (2019)
After a sophomore season playing with the JV, Mattawan’s 6-foot-1 guard Kelby Mabin is determined to make some improvements to his game this offseason.
His general guard skills are the focus right now, and he’s hoping to become a key piece with the varsity next season as a junior.
“This past spring I’ve been working on my shot and handles, because I want to be a more dominant scorer and ball-handler, so I can take over more at the end of a game,” said Mabin, who mentioned defense is his strong suit.
“Defensively, I need to talk a lot more and a lot louder, so I can be a better teammate when it comes to screens and help-side. But defense is really where I excel, on-the-ball I don’t let my man past me, and I get a lot of steals.”
Though he was expecting to start the season with the varsity last season as a sophomore, it was JV where he landed, and at times dominated.
“My sophomore year didn’t go exactly how I wanted it too. I was put on the JV team, and I asked my coach why I was cut and he said he wanted to give the juniors and seniors more playing time,” said Mabin.
“So I spent most of they year on the JV team, being the main scorer and putting up 15-20 points per game and a a lot of steals.”
Towards the end of the season he was put on the varsity squad, and saw plenty of playing time — even notching six steals in one game.
That success has bled into his offseason with Kalamazoo-based Strictly Skills.
“This has probably been one of my better springs, just based upon how I’m scoring the ball and what I’ve been doing with it,” said Mabin. “I’ve been hitting more outside shots and shots off the dribble, and I’m finding my teammates well.”
Though there’s still a couple years left before his college decision will need to be made, Mabin says it’s something he thinks about.
“Recruiting is a thing I’ve been thinking about a lot, I’d love to get a scholarship and not have to pay for college,” said Mabin.
“I’ll be playing in multiple camps in addition to paying with Strictly Skills, and doing whatever I can to get some more exposure.”