Iowa is set to host one of the biggest names in its 2028 recruiting picture this weekend, with Naperville (Ill.) Neuqua Valley four-star hybrid Cole Kelly making an unofficial visit to Iowa City.
Kelly enters the weekend as the No. 34 overall prospect in the 2028 class and the No. 10 small forward, and his recruitment has already drawn heavy attention from a long list of Big Ten programs along with several Big East schools.
At 6-foot-6, Kelly brings a versatile game that has made him one of the most intriguing young prospects in the country. 247Sports’ Kyle Tausk described him this summer as a player who can influence the game in plenty of different ways.
"Kelly is one of the most complete players in the entire 2028 class and is truly an all-around talent who impacts the game in a ton of different ways. At 6-foot-6, the big lefty is a great shooter who made over 70 threes as a sophomore, and he is also a physical driver who can use his size to power his way to the rim and finish through contact. He's also an ultra-competitive rebounder who plays with a ton of effort."
Tausk also pointed to Kelly’s ability to create for others as one of the standout parts of his game.
"The thing that pops the most when watching Kelly, though, is his feel and vision as a distributor. He's very comfortable operating with the ball in his hands and making plays for others, which is something he says has been a major emphasis for him as he hopes to become a primary playmaker in college one day."
Kelly has been on the radar for a while now, dating back to his time playing 17U with Breakaway before his sophomore season. Coaches have kept close tabs on his growth since then, and his blend of shooting, size, and ball skills has kept his stock high.
He has the ability to play one through three depending on the lineup, and his feel for the game shows up whether he’s working on the ball or without it. The questions around him are more about quickness and twitch on both ends, but he already knows how to get to his spots, uses his body well, and can change speeds to create advantages off the bounce. His shooting stroke only adds to the appeal.
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