The recruiting list for Curtis Kelly is long. Too long for him to list. Still, he hasn’t shown the production everyone believes he is capable of.
But the 6-8 junior who battled academic problems through his first two years at Rice, is now developing into the player that has college coaches desperate for his services.
“I never really felt comfortable before,” Kelly said after he dominated Mount Vernon in Rice’s 64-55 win at the Nike Super Six at the Garden in front of a crowd of 4785. “Last year, I missed games and when I got back, there were seniors Arturo [Dubois] and Russell [Robinson], so I wasn’t sure what my role was.”
And while the Raiders continue to have some of the best guards in the city, Kelly’s size and athleticism give Rice a dimension few other teams can match.
“He’s the key,” said coach Maurice Hicks, whose team continues to beat top-flight opponents. The Raiders improved to 11-0, while Mount Vernon, the defending state Federation champion, fell to 10-2.
“We didn’t have him during preseason when he was a sophomore and he was lost at times. Now, he’s a lot better, but I don’t think he even understands how good he is,” said Hicks.
If he keeps playing like he did yesterday, he will. Kelly hit 11 of 12 shots from the floor en route to a 26-point, 13-rebound performance to avenge Rice’s loss to the Knights last year at the Prime Time Shootout in Trenton. During most of his 26 minutes on the court, Kelly was matched up against Jon Mitchell, a major recruit also.
Kelly is confident that this is the type of game he is capable of playing consistently.
“I’ve made a lot of excuses,” Kelly said. “But basically, it’s been my fault. I should play better than I have.”
Bob Cimmino, who coached Kelly at the Five-Star Camp in Pennsylvania over the summer, was not especially surprised by Kelly’s outburst.
“He played within himself today,” Cimmino said. “Sometimes I’ve seen him do too much. He was more focused than we were and if he does that, he’s as tough as they come.”
That’s part of the learning process for the lanky center, who has drawn comparisons to former Christ the King star and current Laker, Lamar Odom. Those lofty expectations have sometimes been a detriment, since he has forced plays in order to live up to what others believe he can do.
Kelly has tried a different approach this season.
“I know my game is going to come to me,” Kelly said. “I’m not going to rush and try to score 30 just because I’m supposed to. People ask if I’m playing to my potential. I think I am.”
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Cardozo upset Xaverian in an earlier game at the Garden, 77-73. The Judges have struggled at times this season and coach Ron Naclerio has been quicker to pull players lately if they aren’t hustling.
“It’s made a difference,” said Vic Morris, who led Cardozo with 24 points, while the Clippers dropped their third straight, despite 32 from Levance Fields.
Wings held off Boys & Girls, 64-60, behind 21 from Rasheen Jenkins. Christ the King got 17 points from Chris Martin in a 56-55 win over Central Catholic (MA) in a tournament in Springfield, Mass.
