Prospect Spotlight: Nate Kelley (2018)
Coming off a standout junior season, Wichita Collegiate 5’10 guard Nate Kelley is known as a heady, scrappy, hard working player who goes hard from tip to the buzzer.
As a junior, Kelley recorded more than 100 points and 100 assists and was named all tournament team in the pre season tournament, all hustle team in the mid season tournament and was selected second team all league. As a team, the Spartans went 22-3 and won league, preseason, mid season, and substate championships and took fourth at state.
“I grew as a player in understanding the game more, working on situations and understanding what to with the ball and where it needs to go, also working on understanding tendencies with players making it easier to defend,” Kelley said.
This spring Kelley has competed for the Wichita Padres alongside several talented players.
The competition is a lot better than MAYB, it’s a different experience knowing that you have to win your pool or take second to get a chance for Sunday, you don’t just get to mess around Friday and Saturday you have to competed every game if you want to advance,” Kelley said.
He says he is a fan of former Wichita State guard Fred Van Fleet and Kansas guard Frank Mason.
“Fred was always calm and collective no matter the time of the game and knew every situation,” Kelley said. “Frank went as fast as he could using his speed to blow by people and how hard he plays. I took how hard Frank plays and Fred’s calm and collective attitude during the game.”
Kelley says his family has been the biggest influence on his basketball career to date.
“My two uncles, dad and two cousins because they have taught me since I was young,” he says. “My uncles both have coached me and understand the game really well, there are times we would have a college game recorded and go over clips that the point guards and how I can adapt it to my game. My dad influenced me by helping when my uncles weren’t there and doing stats so we can talk about how I can fix things, the little things that people don’t pay attention to but we do.
“My cousins have been there for me to keep me humble and always pushing me. We would go to a gym and play games, and shooting competitions, they help me see the little things that sometimes my uncles and dad miss.”