The newest member of M. Hoops

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It might still be over 15 months before he ever plays for Penn, but Austin Kelly is going to be a Quakers hoopster.

Californiapreps.com, a service of Rivals, is reporting that the North Hollywood, Calif., shooting guard from the class of 2010 has verbally committed to Glen Miller's program. (You'll need an account for that site, so see the full text of the article after the jump.)

According to the report, the 6-foot-2 Kelly decided on Penn because of the strong academics, as well as  "a strong relationship with the coaches."

ESPN Insider gives Kelly a 74 grade, which is in the 70-79 range that states: "Player either can earn a scholarship to a top national Division I program or contribute significantly as a freshman at the mid-major level." Specifically,

Kelly has a wiry frame with decent length. He has solid speed and quickness, but he does get great lift on his jump shot. His strength is his jump shooting ability and he is equally efficient in the mid-range area as he is out to the stripe. He has a tendency to shoot off the dribble to get into rhythm, especially in the mid-range area. His shot has a solid release, but he'll need to get stronger to pull-up in traffic. In addition to increasing his strength, he definitely needs to address his perimeter handle. He is solid going right, but overall his handle is shaky, especially when he's trying to separate from defenders.

Fortunately, Kelly realizes he needs to improve his strength. "I have to get a lot bigger to be effective at the Division I level. My biggest challenge is going to be my strength," according to the report.

Kelly led Harvard-Westlake to the Division III California State semifinals before losing to Ocean View, 79-63. Kelly had a team-high 16 points in the game. Overall, his team was 28-7, and won the California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section championship with a 13-1 league record.

(HT Basketball U boards)

Jerica Williams CaliforniaPreps.com Staff Writer

In a search for an institution where he could flourish as a student and an athlete, rising senior Austin Kelly of North Hollywood Harvard-Westlake has verbally committed to the University of Pennsylvania (Ivy league).

Major factors in Kelly's decision were the appeal of strong academics and the importance of a strong relationship with the coaches.

While attending the University of Penn's basketball camp, Kelly got a chance to see firsthand how much the coaches wanted him to come there. "The coaches and the staff really liked me and I knew they had my best interest in mind." As a player, one might enter the recruiting process not really knowing what to expect. But to Kelly, it was exactly what he expected. "It was hard, but I expected it to be hard".

The final decision-making process came down to a night out to dinner with mom and dad, Meme and Rennie. The Kelly family wanted to make sure that the pressure of the recruiting process didn't make Austin's decision too stressful. The family dinner solved that worry. According to Meme, "We wrote down a pro con list on a napkin at the restaurant. In a very informal manner, we listened to Austin intently." In a very relaxed setting, the Kelly family didn't want anything to seem forced, and with a list where the pros outweighed the cons, the decision seemed easy.

In asking Austin who inspired his decision the most, he replied, "My mom. She has good vibes and knows me better than I know myself." Good vibes can definitely go a long way, especially when your youngest son is going off to college on the opposite coast. But with Austin's maturity and encouraging vibes, Meme Kelly is excited about her son going to school in Philadelphia. "I am happy that he's going to be able to experience a different lifestyle".

With one more year left to play at Harvard-Westlake, Austin is excited to compete for a State title in his senior season. In doing so, he is also anxious to prepare his body physically for competition at the collegiate level. "I have to get a lot bigger to be effective at the Division 1 level. My biggest challenge is going to be my strength." Austin's work ethic will definitely enable him to improve and excel as a player in his final high school season. And not to mention, prepare him for competition in the Ivy League.

The Ivy League is also a good place to be for a young man who demonstrates promising ambitions as an athlete and a person. In speaking with Austin, he appears to know exactly where he sees his experience at Penn taking him in the next 5 years. "In 5 years, I see myself playing overseas for a few years, then coming back to be a sports agent of some sort." With a degree in business from such a prestigious institution, that should be no problem for this humble young man.

Playing basketball since the age of 6, Austin and his parents are eager to enjoy his senior season without any added pressure of picking a college. "Basketball should be fun", says Meme. It should be! Although most may forget that aspect, especially during the recruiting process, Austin is excited about having fun on the court this year.

With a smart, mature, and talented son and brother, Austin's entire family (which includes brothers Rennie, Jr. and Corey) is exuberant about watching him excel as a player, a student, and a person at the University of Pennsylvania.