Keel is a vintage floor general who brings a great deal of experience and never being fazed by the moment due to his battle tested career in the NEPSAC. He has great chemistry with his teammates and can set them up effortlessly for scoring chances of their own. He also showed that he can score for himself getting to spots off the bounce. He does an elite job of drawing the defense on to him which frees up his teammates for success. He thrives at quarterbacking the squad. Keel showed flashes of hitting shots at crucial stages of the game. He should be a priority for low major programs in need of a true one who can help win ball games.

Keel, a member of the 17u 3SSB squad, is a heady lead guard out of Putnam Science Academy in Connecticut. One of the most experienced guards in the region, Keel burst onto the scene as a freshman and has done nothing but win at a high level ever since. He’s confident with the ball in his hands, makes things easier for his teammates on the offensive end of the floor, and has proven to be an efficient scorer at multiple levels. He does a nice job of limiting turnovers and letting the game come to him. Defensively, he can guard either back-court spot and does a nice job of making plays on the ball without fouling. He’s a high level scholarship prospect that should have a strong following this summer.

Keel is as under control as it gets with the ball in his hands. He’s always scanning the floor looking for back-tappers and he keeps such a low center of gravity that he’s impossible to take the ball away from. Despite his size (5-foot-11), he uses his quickness and speed to breeze by defenders and touch the paint, and then he’s unselfish looking for spray outs or dump down passes. Keel’s lack of size is going to limit his recruitment, but I definitely think he can play at the scholarship level — he’s just so comfortable with the ball in his hands and has everything you’re looking for in a point guard.

Keel is a crafty guard with a high basketball IQ, always staying one step ahead of the defense. His vision and decision-making allow him to orchestrate the offense and make his teammates better by creating easy scoring opportunities. As a balanced scorer, he can hit from the outside, finish at the rim, and excel in the mid-range, making him difficult to predict. His ability to manage the flow of the game while maintaining an efficient scoring threat makes him a standout on the floor.

Keel, like his PSA backcourt mates, is a complete headache to play against on the defensive end. He slides his feet incredibly well and has super active hands. I was also super impressed with his off ball instincts; he understands when to rotate and is always a step ahead of the offense in terms of where the ball’s going. Offensively, Keel is as solid as it gets at the PG position – he never tries to do too much, and he’s excellent at handling full-court pressure. He gets into the lane and creates for teammates but also knocks down open threes consistently. He’s an all-around great point guard who makes up for his lack of size with athleticism and fight.

This is my third time seeing him play and has improved every year. Still plays at his own pace and not rushed by defenders. Has good handles and takes care of the basketball. He communicates well defensively on switches and when to stay on man. Visualizes good timing when to trap on defense. Has a decent mid-range game and can even shoot from deep in a transition offense.  

Keel, who was a dynamic on-ball presence at Bradford Christian last winter, shined this summer with the Mass Rivals. A capable perimeter scorer, Keel has adapted his game to be a leader on the offensive end of the floor, establishing the flow in the half-court and pushing the tempo in transition. He has a full arsenal of finishes in the paint, including an advanced floater game, and compliments that with a smooth shooting stroke from the perimeter. He does a good job of navigating ball screens, makes good reads as a passer, and always seems to be in control. He has the ability to be a big time scorer, but really shined this summer as an initiator that did whatever was needed to keep the offense working. He’ll head to Putnam Science Academy this fall and should continue to generate interest from all levels of Division I.