Prospect Spotlight: Nate Kelley (2018)
Wichita Collegiate 2018 forward Nate Kelley is coming off a strong summer with the Wichita Padres and is gearing up for a big senior season.
A hard-nosed player who plays with energy and a big motor, Kelley brings a high basketball IQ to the court and helps keep his teammates involved.
Kelley says his game has grown over the past year as he earned all-conference honors for Collegiate and helped lead the team to a tie for first in its conference and a fourth-place finish.
“I grew as a player in understanding the tempo that I need to go at and understanding situations of the game,” he said. I was second team all league, all hustle team in the mid season tournament, and all tournament team in the preseason tournament. We won the preseason mid season and substate championships, we tied for first in league and took fourth at state.”
Playing this summer for the Padres gave Kelley an opportunity to compete against top-notch competition and in front of college coaches.
“It’s different but it’s good because a lot of college coaches come to watch people play and it’s the best for you to get seen,” he said. “I’m looking to start getting coaches to look at me and hopefully offer me by the end when it’s all said and done.”
After going 22-5 a year ago, Kelley says Collegiate has high expectations for the upcoming season. He says he is looking forward to playing rival Andale High School the most.
“It’s always fun to play them (Andale) because everyone comes and the place is packed it’s just a great atmosphere to play in,” he said.
Kelley says his family has had the biggest impact on his high school basketball career to date, providing support and encouragement.
“They’re always there,” he said. “We always seem to be doing something basketball related whether it’s playing basketball watching basketball or talking about basketball. They’re at every game always there to help me get better and understand the game more and more.”
A fan of former Wichita State point guard Fred Vanvleet and Kansas point guard Frank Mason, Kelley says he tries to take elements from both player’s game and make them his own.
“Fred was always steady and at his own pace no matter what he’s doing on the floor and that’s what I try to implement in my game. Frank Mason is always going hard and watching him fly all over the court and sometimes in to the stands is something that I try adding to my game
Kelley has drawn interest from Bethel College but does not currently hold any offers.