Published: April 16, 2009 12:15 am         

McKenna: Kelly recruitment ‘unique’

TERRE HAUTE — Indiana State men’s basketball coach Kevin McKenna called the brief recruitment of Jake Kelly, “probably as unique an experience as I’ve ever had.”

Kelly signed his letter-of-intent to play basketball at ISU on Wednesday. It put an official end to a transfer saga that fulfilled Kelly’s desire to play closer to home. Kelly lived in Marshall, Ill., and Vigo County until he moved to Carmel midway through his high school career.

Kelly’s path to ISU is well-known by now. His mother, Julia Kelly, died in a plane crash in Florida in June 2008.

Kelly played his sophomore season at Iowa. He averaged 11.6 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.1 assists, but really came into his own late in Iowa’s season, when he was moved to point guard. Nine of his individual career highs as a Hawkeye occurred in games after Feb. 28.

Rumors regarding Kelly’s desire to transfer began as early as January. Kelly publicly stated a desire to stay at Iowa at one point, but his desire to return to play closer to home was too great and Iowa coach Todd Lickliter granted Kelly his release in late March, provided he transfer to a school close to Kelly’s home.

McKenna heard the rumors, but waited until Kelly’s release was official to act. Kelly announced his intention to come to ISU on March 31, less than a week after he was released at Iowa.

“You hear stuff, people say stuff, but officially we waited until he got released,” McKenna said. “Once we heard there was a possibility, we met as a staff, but we kept recruiting other players.”

McKenna admitted that the circumstances surrounding Kelly’s desire to play close to home are a bittersweet way to get a quality player.

“It’s an unfortunate and tragic way to get a player, but I think for Jake, it’s going to be a good thing,” McKenna said.

When McKenna spoke with Kelly — he said he’s only spoken with and met Kelly once to date — he wanted to make sure Kelly felt comfortable with his family situation first.

“The first thing I said to him was that we’re going to help him along with anything he’s needs help with. Hopefully his family and our support staff can help him along through a tough time,” McKenna said. “There’s a lot of things happening in his head, it’s a major thing that’s goes on when you lose one of your parents at such a young age, it’s the reason he’s coming. It’s not like we’re a proven established program, but it’s home for him.”

Now McKenna and Kelly both wait for the NCAA to determine whether Kelly’s hardship status will make him eligible for next season. Normally, Kelly would have to wait a year to play. McKenna said he has no idea what kind of time frame the NCAA will follow.

Regardless of what decision the NCAA makes, McKenna will sit down with Kelly and his father, Bob Kelly, to determine a plan of action.

“Immediate eligibility … it’s something that’s out there. There’s a lot of things that go into their decision and our decision. Does he want to play right away? Does he want to sit down and get adjusted? We’ll do what’s best for Jake and the program,” McKenna said.

As for Kelly’s game, McKenna likes what he has seen.

“He’s very skilled with the ball, a point guard that makes everyone better. He can shoot, create for himself and create for other people. There’s also some things he can work on. He can get more physical, he can get stronger, he can eliminate turnovers, but he’s maturing as a player and developing. His game evolved last year to the point where he was one of the best in the Big Ten,” McKenna said.