http://ksuowls.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/...08aaa.html

Owls Sign Alabama Prep Star
Kurtis Woods to join KSU in 2008-09


May 19, 2008


KENNESAW, Ga. - Kennesaw State head coach Tony Ingle has announced that Kurtis Woods has signed a National Letter of Intent to attend Kennesaw State University and play for the Owls beginning in the 2008-09 season in an announcement made this morning at the KSU Convocation Center.

"I am extremely high on Kurtis," boasted Ingle. "I believe if Kurtis is as coachable as I think he is then he has the chance to be one of the best guards we've ever signed at Kennesaw State."

Woods comes to Kennesaw State after a successful career at Lee High School in Huntsville, Ala. After an impressive season in which he led Lee to an 18-12 record and a berth in the state tournament, he was a Second Team Class 5A All-State selection and was named to the Huntsville Times Super All-Metro team.

The six-foot-four-inch guard averaged 21.5 points per game, four rebounds, five assists and two steals per game for the Generals and was named All-City Most Valuable Player.

"What really excites me about Kurtis is that he can play three positions," added Ingle. "He is a good athlete and natural leader so we can use his skills at the point. He can create his own shot and has the ability to knock down jumpers at the off-guard and his toughness and ability to get to the basket will allow us to use him at the three as well."

A highly sought after recruit, Woods selected the Owls over numerous Division I programs including Texas El-Paso, Texas A&M, Texas Christian, St. Louis, Tulane, Colorado State, South Carolina, Old Dominion, East Carolina and Western Kentucky.

Ingle seems to have some high expectations for this kid. Lets hope he's right.

That is a lofty list of schools that were recruiting Woods. Woods fits the Ingle profile to a 'T'. Long athletic guard, can play multiple positions, and can put the ball in the hoop. Cummings and Woods on the wings is a daunting prospect for our opposition. Like Ingle said in the article...let's hope that these incoming freshman are as coachable as they are talented...if they are then look out!

wow thats a lot of schools recruiting him. we may have some serious competition at the point next year.

I have been few in words of late, but I check these boards everyday. Many of you on this board have a lot more insight into the recruiting ring than I, so I have just been sitting back enjoying the press so to speak. However, I could resist no longer. As I said I know very little about the recruiting business, as compared to many of you. You all have been dead on with these recruits. I personally feel, in my little knowledge of what I have read here, that this signing is a slam dunk for Tony Ingle and the entire program. Woods seems that he could be the heir-apparent to Ronnell Wooten, however, with a far greater potential. I was not around when Ronnell was signed, so I must ask those of you who were: comparatively speaking, does this kid deserve the kind of hype I am giving him, comparing him to Wooten, or did Ronnell have more hype coming out of Statesboro? Or maybe I am completely wrong? Is Green or Cummings or any other recruit the next Ronnell? Thoughts? When I say the next Ronnell, I only mean his energy and ability to bring the house down. Do we have a recruit similar to Golden Ingle? He was one of the smoothest players I have ever seen. Granted I have limited experience. But with time can any of these recruits become as dynamic as he? Also another great concern I have for these recruits is like what we saw this season with the turnover. I fear we find a good player (e.g. Tanner Jacobs) and he plays for us 1 year and turns around and transfers to a larger school. I know this is inevitable within the transition period, but hopefully the numbers will dramatically decrease this season considering we are 1 year out of postseason competition. I started this out about Woods, went on a rabbit trail, and I'll finish back where I started. I think its critical to note Woods' size. he is listed as 6'4 with the ability to score the basketball. Sounds a little like another player that just finished his career with the Owls.

I don't think Woods is can jump like Ronell but I believe he can light up the scoreboard in a similar fashion. I think Cummings may be the guy to energize the team with highlight real dunks etc. Its going to be an exciting season (if we can get all these guys in uniform).

I believe that both Woods and Cummings are coming into KSU as more complete basketball players. I haven't heard as much about Woods, but you don't hear high praise like that often from Ingle, so I think that is a good sign. Ronell's was not a highly recruited basketball out of high school. He didn't have any Division I offers, as he was a 6'3" PF in high school. Coach Ingle must have seen something in him that the other coaches didn't...I think Ingle made the right choice offering him a scholarship. As we continue to make progress our hope has to be that Ingle continues to find talent above the level we 'should' be getting as a low-major making the transition to Division I. It is important (for me especially) to keep our head on straight though as we look forward to these recruits. I doubt any of them will be a savior right off the bat. If they come in, work hard, listen to the coaches, and commit themselves to the classroom we could be looking at a special recruiting class.

If any of the above areas are severely lacking it will damage our chances of making the next step forward.

To answer your question - both Cummings and Woods are better prospects coming out of high school. Markeith can get up like Wooten, but he is no where near the shooter Ronell became. I know Woods is athletic, but I haven't heard him having anything like Wooten-hops. I think both of these players are going to come in with a good feel for the game, and should be able to contribute soon if they are dedicated student athletes.

Woods averaged about 22 points, five assists and four rebounds per game and had at least 35 dunks, according to Lee coach Greg Brown.

"He is a shooter and a slasher," Brown said. "He is very athletic, he plays high above the rim and he's an excellent 3-point shooter."

This is a quote from Woods coming out of high school. As you can see he had 35 dunks in high school that is close to 2 a game in high school. This kid is a 6'4 stud. He can shoot it, get to the hole and finish and defend. I am not sure about playing point but the kid looks a lot like a kid that took KSU to a DII national championship. (Terrance Hill).

Who knows about the PG. We didn't really have a true PG when we won the national championship. Terrence Hill would be an awful LOFTY comparison. If he can be anything close to Terrence we just got ourselves a steal. The good thing is that our standard PG's can both shoot the rock, so we will have some interchangeable parts with our guards.

Wooten had to develop his shot in college. He wasnt that good of a shooter coming out of highschool. I still dont understand how Wooten didnt get any d1 offers. I remember him coming off the bench his freshman year and you could tell then he had this uncanny athletic ability.

With Woods, Cumming, and Green....if they play to their top potential, they will lead KSU to our first NCAA tourney berth.

Wooten got looked at by Ga Southern, but didn't get an offer because he was a 6'4 skinny post player. He actually was a walk on at KSU his freshman year. He is a good kid that worked hard and made the best of his situation.

Corn_3024 Wrote:Ingle seems to have some high expectations for this kid. Lets hope he's right.

Yes, let's hope so ....

http://i95ballerz.com/story%20-%20kurtis...nooga.html

Let's hope that he stays more than 1 year.