Miller Gets First Commitment

It took new UNCG coach Wes Miller less than a week on the job to secure his first commitment. Kayel Locke (6'-5" 240 lbs PF) out of Baltimore's McDonogh School has chosen to play next season with the Spartans according to multiple sources, including recruiting guru Dave Telep and Rivals.

There was a article in Sunday's Baltimore Sun about Locke's decision to come to UNCG. Among other things he discussed his relationship with the coaching staff and his interaction with AD Kim Record and Chancellor Linda Brady.

"From the beginning, we had a really good relationship,” Locke said. “I thought [the fact that Miller is so young] was cool because he really related to me on a lot of subjects. I think having experience is also a great thing. It’s also cool to be a part of a team with a coach who really can connect with his players and bring them together in that aspect. I see them playing hard for their coach. I knew that’s what I wanted. I thought it was definitely a good thing.”

Locke, who was selected to the MIAA A Conference first team after averaging 24 points and 11 rebounds for the Eagles, has visited UNC-Greensboro’s campus twice. He took an official visit there last year, and returned to Greensboro during the college season. Locke said he hit it off with the entire coaching staff, and also had good conversations with the athletic director and the school’s chancellor.

The Baltimore Sun named Locke as their Boys Athlete of the Week on January 4 2012.

The Baltimore Sun's Recruiting Report wrote a story about Locke last summer right after his performance in the Peach Jam Tournament.

Locke’s shining moment came during NBE’s 78-71 win over Virginia-based Boo Williams on the first night of pool play at the Peach Jam. Locke paced his squad with 23 points and 12 rebounds in 28 minutes. For the tournament, Locke averaged 11.8 points and 5.4 rebounds. He shot nearly 48 percent from the field in leading NBE to a 3-2 record.

Here are a couple of YouTube videos from that game. Locke is #33 in maroon.






There are several more videos of the game. I just decided to post a few.

ESPN Recruiting rates Locke a 79. He was also listed among their top players in the Maryland during the preseason. They also wrote an article about Locke back in 2009 when he was finishing his freshman season.

"Kayel can shoot it out to the three-point arc, and he has nice floor skills," Evans said. "He can pass the ball and handle it. He is a power forward for us, but I see him as a small forward in college. A lot depends on how much taller he gets. Kayel is a legit 6-4 now, and he has grown a little this year. He is only 14, and he has size 17 shoes. His father is 6-7 and his mother is about 5-7, so I don't think Kayel is done growing yet."

The Locke family puts a premium on education. They enrolled Kayel at McDonogh in the sixth grade, and Kayel has done well academically, maintaining a 3.0 GPA.

Locke played this past season for one the best AAU programs in the country. Locke was on the Baltimore Elite squad. He had 4 class of 2012 teammates (Donte Pretlow-Morgan St, Jared Jones-Loyola, Isaiah Miles-St Joes, Sam Cassell Jr-undecided) that will go onto play D1 basketball next season.

Below is a highlight video of that team.



There are plenty of other videos of Locke on YouTube. Fell free to search them on your own.

Locke joins Jordan Potts as commitments for the 2012-2013 season. Potts signed his NLI in the fall. Locke can sign his NLI during the official signing period which runs from April 11 to May16. The athletics department cannot discuss anything about recruits that haven't signed the NLI. So, there won't be an article on their website until then.

Welcome to the Spartans, Kayel !!!