http://www.fiveborosports.com/ssp/news?news_id=2345Jordan Brand Classic notebook: Spellman will go prep
Thomas Jefferson guard Keith Spellman said he will almost certainly attend prep school next year at South Kent Prep. Photos by Damion Reid
By Theo Rabinowitz
April 18, 2009
Rice forward James Stukes was talking about his expectations for his time at South Kent with Archbishop Molloy guard Russ Smith. Then he pointed to Keith Spellman, Thomas Jefferson’s all-time leading scorer who was selected to the city team but missed the Jordan Classic Brand regional game because of a chronic back injury.
“He’s going to be there, too,†Stukes said.
After a debilitating back injury robbed him of much of the second half of his senior season and an appearance in the regional game, the news keeps getting worse for the talented shooting guard. Prior to his senior season, Spellman had multiple mid-to-high major Division I offers, but his recruiting stock floundered after his injury. At one time last year, he was going to choose between St. John’s and Hofstra, but decided to wait it out a bit longer, a decision he regrets.
“I really took too long,†he lamented, later adding: “I wanted to play with the big dogs, the superstars, and that was my mistake. I had all the good schools offering me when I was younger.â€
With offers from just Iona, New Orleans and Manhattan, Spellman said the current plan, unless a better opportunity presents itself, is to go to prep school. He is seeing a physical therapist and hopes rest will heal the ailing back.
“I know I’m not that kind of player; I can go higher,†he said. “I’m going to work harder (at South Kent).â€