College Commitment: Kelton Samore (2018 Grant HS/Bridgton Academy)
Kelton Samore is moving on. After graduating from Grant a year ago and spending this season at Bridgton Academy, the skilled 6-foot-9 forward has found a college home. Samore will be attending American University in Washington D.C. next year and he couldn’t be more excited about the opportunities in front of him for the future.
“I went down there on my official visit this past weekend and I just really fell in love with the campus and the team and everything and the position they had for me. They were recruiting me really hard and they really wanted me and I’ll get a chance to play there. On top of that, the education – their business program is one of the top in the country every which is what I want to major in.”
During Samore’s official visit, he got a look around campus and the surrounding area. “I really like D.C. – it had that city vibe but at the same time the campus was pretty big and had a great campus and quad area to walk around,” Samore continued. “I really liked how green the city was – I thought it was going to be a lot more buildings but it had a nice residential feel to it.”
Of course, the chance to contribute immediately with the Eagles played a role in his commitment as well. “We finished third in the Patriot League last year and we have most of our team coming back,” Samore said. “They really needed a mobile four-man who can shoot so they want me to come in this year and be a player who can score the ball but at the same time facilitate.”
Samore’s commitment ends a recruitment that had seen several schools come in and out of the picture all the way back to his days at Grant. He and his family decided another year at prep school was needed, and Samore believes it was well worth the time and effort.
“Just playing the competition – it was no comparison,” Samore said. “That right there got me much more prepared for next year, as well as the weight lifting program here was a lot more serious than in high school. The academics as well were more rigorous and made me learn to manage my time better, which I think will be important when I get to the next level.”
Samore finished high school ranked as the #5 player in the PrepHoops Oregon Class of 2018 rankings and becomes the second member of Grant’s 2018 title team to sign with a Division I school after Aaron Deloney.