Miami F James Kelly a Potential Transfer Candidate?

Submitted by Wolverine15 on

Article here

Not recruited out of HS by U of M, but he went to Pioneer and is looking to transfer closer to home. Originally, he was at Owens Junior College in Ohio. Averaged 6.0 points, 3.7 rebounds in 17.9 minutes, connected on 48.5 percent (65-134) of shots from field, 40.5 percent (15-37) from long range at Miami (YTM) last year.

The three game suspension raises some concerns and it is unlikely that he will be able to play next year. Anyone who knows more than I do: is there potential for interest in Kelly from the coaching staff?

ThadMattasagoblin

April 19th, 2014 at 9:44 AM ^

I'm not sure he's the best candidate if he averages just 6 points per game and was suspended. We might as well recruit someone in the 2015 class if he can't play right away.

ypsituckyboy

April 19th, 2014 at 9:55 AM ^

Team chemistry is extremely important to the bball coaching staff. They even allow the current players to basically have a say in whether a guy should get an offer to make sure the guys get along well. Take that, in addition to the fact that Beilein generally only goes after guys who've kept their noses extremely clean during H.S., and I think you can safely assume that Kelly to UM is extremely unlikely.

I'd say the same thing about Byron Wesley. It ain't gonna happen so don't get your hopes up.

Raoul

April 19th, 2014 at 10:18 AM ^

MSU seems more likely given that they previously recruited him, according to his bio. One of the MAC schools is probably even more likely to be his destination. This article says he "[struggled] to adjust to the pace of ACC play."

Lucky Socks

April 19th, 2014 at 10:19 AM ^

The answer is probably no. Being from Ann Arbor isn't a reason to recruit a transfer. He doesn't seem to fit our team, may not be "good enough," and doesn't add much value as a sit one year play one year guy.

The2nd_JEH

April 19th, 2014 at 11:27 AM ^

I went to Pioneer with James and was a captain on the team when he was a junior. While I love James, and he's matured greatly since his high school days. I'm not sure he would be a good fit here. His athleticism is out of this world, and he can rebound when he wants, but it's hard to get him motivated to do so. Along with the suspensions and everything, I'm not sure he'd do well in Ann Arbor (where his friends and bad influences are). I do wish him the best though

The2nd_JEH

April 19th, 2014 at 12:18 PM ^

I have his back, I'll always have his back. I just don't think he'd fit here, that's all. I'd love for him to prove me wrong. I'd say this to James' face too. I think he'd know it'd be best for him not to come "home"

SysMark

April 19th, 2014 at 11:49 AM ^

The more I see all these transfers the more I'm impressed I am Jordan Morgan chose to stay.  Most of these are about playing time and he couldn't have been expecting much when he made his decision.

alum96

April 19th, 2014 at 12:17 PM ^

Or Horford.  I know he is not the most popular dude around here right now but if your family told you each and every summer you should transfer and you stuck it out - that is something to admire too.  Family pressure can be intense.  Yes he eventually did it but after getting his degree and not having to sit out a year.

WolvinLA2

April 19th, 2014 at 12:27 PM ^

Here's the thing about him.  He wasn't going to transfer after his first year, because he really didn't have any more options other than M coming out of HS, so I'm sure he didn't then.  Then he got hurt.  After that, it was looking like he would be getting some solid PT until McGary came along.  Had he transfered after his third year, he would have had to sit out a year, so it makes the most sense to stay at Michigan for your fourth year where you can play some, and transfer after that.  

umumum

April 19th, 2014 at 2:41 PM ^

because there is truth in it.

I appreciate Jon's contributions at Michigan and I respect his decision to look for a better fit.

That said, Jon was not highly recruited out of high school.  Michigan was certainly his best offer---by far---and we likely offered him largely because we were struggling to get better recruits. I am sure Beilein looked at him as a project with upside.  And he did get better--quite a bit better--if you saw him play in high school.