By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information
Toledo, OH---Express men's basketball sophomores Justin Edmonds and James Kelly signed with Marshall University and University of Miami (Fla.), respectively, during a ceremony yesterday in the Student Health and Activities Center (SHAC).
Edmonds, a guard, signed a letter of intent to play for Marshall University in Huntington, WV, while Kelly, a forward, signed with the University of Miami (Fla.) in Coral Gables, Fla.
Both players were integral pieces in helping turn around a program at Owens that experienced four straight losing seasons prior to them joining. Over the past two years, the two players were the centerpieces to a team that went 50-18, played in two district championship games (winning one) and advanced to the NJCAA D-II National Tournament for the first time since 2002-03, where they finished fourth in the nation this past season.
James Kelly
In his two years, Kelly averaged 17.9 points, 10 rebounds, one assist, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks per game. He became the first player in program history to record 1,000 points, 600 rebounds, 100 steals and 100 blocks in his career. For good measure, he added 70 career assists.
Overall, he totaled 1,219 points, 678 rebounds, 105 blocks, 104 steals and 70 assists.
As a sophomore, Kelly averaged 18.3 points, 10.1 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 1.3 blocks per game. In Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) play, he was the league's leading scorer (21.1/game), leading rebounder (11.4/game), third best shot blocker (1.6/game) and the fourth best steal producer (2.3/game).
As a sophomore, he produced 20 double-doubles and one triple-double. In his career, he accumulated 38 double-doubles and was featured on ESPN Sportscenter's Top 10 plays as a sophomore. He was a four-time OCCAC Player of the Week, as well.
Kelly holds the single season records for most blocks (57, 2011-12) and most rebounds (363, 2012-13), as well as the career records for most blocks (105) and most rebounds (678).
In terms of awards, Kelly was named First Team All-Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC), First Team All-Region XII and NJCAA D-II Second Team All-American as a sophomore. As a freshman, he was named Second Team All-OCCAC and the team's co-MVP (Edmonds).
Kelly is from Ann Arbor, MI.
University of Miami (Fla.), a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). They finished 29-7 overall and 15-3 in the ACC this past year. Coached by Jim Larranaga, the Hurricanes won the ACC regular season championship, the ACC postseason tournament and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament before falling to Marquette.
Justin Edmonds
Edmonds, who had his sophomore year cut short halfway through due to an injury, was the team's leading scorer as a freshman, and he led the team in scoring until he got hurt as a sophomore.
For his career, Edmonds averaged 18.5 points (870 points), 4.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and just over one steal per game. He shot 133-for-370 (35.9 percent) from 3-point range and would have broken the program's career marks for most attempted and most made in a career had he not been hurt. As a freshman, he broke the single season and single game records for most 3-point field goals attempted and tied the single game mark for free throw percentage (100 percent).
While he didn't win any awards in his injury shortened sophomore campaign, Edmonds was named First Team All-OCCAC, First Team All-Region XII and the team's co-MVP (Kelly) as a freshman.
"Justin is a great addition to our basketball program," said Marshall head coach Tom Herrion, via HerdZone.com. "He had a terrific career at Owens for coach (Dave) Clarke, before his knee injury. He is a big, strong and versatile guard who we feel can make an impact for us right away."
Edmonds is from Albion, Michigan.
Marshall University is a member of Conference USA. Coached by Herrion, the Thundering Herd finished 13-19 overall and 6-10 in Conference USA this past year. Their season ended with a 66-64 loss to Tulane in the Conference USA Championships.
Notes
The Express men's basketball team finished 26-10 overall and 10-2 in the OCCAC this past season. They won the district championship and advanced to the NJCAA D-II National Tournament, where they finished fourth in the nation.
Edmonds and Kelly are the first two players from this past year's team to sign with four-year schools. We'll keep you posted as to who else signs where.