Raleigh high-school standout says he will play for Blue Devils

By: By Bill Cole | JOURNAL REPORTER
Published: October 10, 2008

Ryan Kelly, a talented and hard-working big man from Raleigh, has decided to spend his college basketball career at Cameron Indoor Stadium playing for Duke.

Kelly, a 6-9 senior at Ravenscroft School, committed last night in a decision broadcast by ESPNU. He had a choice of ACC teams and other national powers, but decided to follow his instincts by opting to play for Coach Mike Krzyzewski.

"I've taken a lot of time and I've looked at all these schools very thoroughly, much more thoroughly than I think a lot of people do," Kelly said. "Really, it all came down to a gut feeling. I think everything about it was the best fit for me. I just can't wait to get there."

Bob Gibbons, a high-school basketball recruiting analyst in Lenoir, ranks Kelly as the No. 14 senior in the nation. Kelly has risen steadily among the nation's top prospects since the Memorial Day weekend and played in the summer for the U.S. team in the FIBA Americas 18-and-under tournament in Formosa, Argentina.

He was also offered scholarships by Wake Forest, North Carolina, N.C. State, Davidson, Virginia, Georgetown, Notre Dame, Stanford and Vanderbilt.

Gibbons said he considers Kelly the best scorer in the nation among high-post seniors.

"He can really shoot the ball," Gibbons said. "The only thing he's lacking right now is strength and physical maturity. He's thin and lanky, but he's such a smart player and he's so skilled and so efficient with the ball."

Kelly plays for Coach Kevin Billerman, a former Blue Devil. Kelly can sign a binding national letter of intent on Nov. 12, when the NCAA's early basketball signing period is scheduled to begin.

Kelly plays for one of the top AAU teams in the state. The team also has John Wall, a point guard from Raleigh considered by some recruiting analysts the top player at his position in the nation, but Gibbons said he always saw Kelly going all out in every game.

"It wasn't like Wall fed him the ball a lot but when he did get it he was so efficient," Gibbons said. "He's a heck of player and he's going to get better when they get him on a good weight program. Time is going to take care of it as his body continues to develop and he fills out."

Kelly is Duke's second commitment for the Class of 2009. The earlier commitment came from Mason Plumlee, a 6-10 forward from Warsaw, Ind., who attends Christ School in Arden outside of Asheville.

■ Bill Cole can be reached at bcole@wsjournal.com.