John Kelley
John Kelley
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Mickey Parrella | Prep Hoops Scout
John Kelley John Kelley 6'9" | C Kimball Union Academy | 2025 State New E showed off his intriguing tools at his size while looking dexterous and graceful. What first stood out was his defensive posture and positioning guarding opposing post players, such as Awaka. He was keeping in front of his man well and using his quick feet and long arms to make scoring difficult. I also appreciated his offensive skill, cutting without the ball to the rim for easy shot attempts and knowing his way around the cup when working one-on-one in the paint.
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Read EvaluationWill Armishaw | Prep Hoops Scout
Kelley decided to put an end to his recruitment with a pledge to Saint Michael’s College. A major piece of the Middlesex Magic’s HGSL championship team this summer, Kelley has the ability to impact a game in a variety of ways. He’s a versatile defender that has the ability to switch onto the perimeter in ball screens, but also provides a high level of rim protection in the paint. He’s done a good job over the last year of getting stronger and subsequently, has turned himself into a high level rebounder. Offensively, he can really stretch the floor with his jumper and has a solid feel for the game as a decision maker. He’s one of the better big man passers in this class and can function as the hub of an offense from the elbows or top of the key. Kelley’s commitment is a good one for St. Mike’s, as they land a versatile big man that should only continue to get better between now and the time he joins one of the Northeast-10’s top programs.
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Read EvaluationRobbie Hodin | Prep Hoops Scout
Kelley is a top three big man passer I’ve seen at the showcase this weekend. He has great timing and instincts and can see over the defense with his 6-foot-9 frame. For Kimball Union Academy, he acts as a sort of top-of-the-key hub and makes excellent plays from there. He can also punish smaller defenders on the block with his scoring touch and skill. He should be a D1 prospect.
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Read EvaluationWill Armishaw | Prep Hoops Scout
Kelley, who was the interior anchor for a Central Catholic squad that saw their season end in the Sweet Sixteen, will also be doing a post-graduate year in the fall when he attends Kimball Union Academy. A true modern big man, Kelley showed significant growth to his game this winter, particularly as a decision maker and shooter from the perimeter. He’s a legit 6’9″ and has a frame that looks like it could support added muscle. He’s vocal on the defensive end and does a good job of directing traffic to organize his teammates. This will be a big spring and summer for him on the AAU circuit and the added visibility at KUA should do a lot for his recruitment.
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Read EvaluationWill Armishaw | Prep Hoops Scout
Kelley, a standout at Central Catholic, checks into these rankings at #96. A prospect who could see his stock rise even further with a post-graduate year, Kelley has great size, runs the floor well in transition, and has good hands in the post. He sets solid screens and even shows potential as a pick-and-pop big man, with a clean stroke from behind the arc. Defensively, he’s active in ball screens, is a vocal presence on the back line, and isn’t afraid to mix it up for rebounds. He feels like a prospect that is just starting to put it together and thus, could have another jump to make.
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