Nick Kellogg will look to help Ohio make another tournament run next season - JJHuddle

By Rob Ogden

In an exclusive interview with the son of former Ohio State great and current CBS analyst Clark Kellogg, Nick Kellogg talked about why he committed to the Bobcats and what he will bring to the Ohio team next year.

A three-star point guard according to Rivals.com, Kellogg led his St. Francis DeSales team to back-to-back state Final Fours and averaged just under 20 points per game as a senior. Nick’s brother Alex will also become eligible to play for Ohio next season after transferring from Providence.

RO: What were the deciding factors in your decision to commit to Ohio?

NK: First and foremost, it was primarily coach Groce. They were the first to offer me and they showed strong interest. I liked his character and I liked his approach. I felt like he really wanted me.

RO: Did the opportunity to play with your brother make signing with Ohio an easier decision?

NK: Yeah it made it easier. The coaches came to our house and made us feel really comfortable. When they offered me, they mentioned they had an open scholarship and were looking for a transfer.

RO: So you were offerd before Alex decided to transfer?

NK: Yeah, they offered me first.

RO: What attributes do you expect to bring to the team next fall?

NK: I talked to my high school coach and he wants me to be a leader. They’ve got some good guards so I’m not looking for a huge role yet but I want to be a leader and bring energy.

RO: With D.J. Cooper solidifying himself at the point guard position last year, where do you expect to fit in with the team and what do you expect to be your role?

NK: I’ve been playing point guard all through high school expect for my freshman year. I’m comfortabe with the position and I perfer the one, but I can also play the two. Maybe I could play some at both like I did this past year with Adam Griffin (the son of two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin) or I could play a combo guard. I can bring it up or play off the ball.

RO: What’s the biggest part of your game you want to improve on heading into your college career?

NK: I want to be a knock-down shooter. And I want to work on being a more consistent three-point shooter. Instead of shooting in the low-thiry percents from three, maybe I can shoot in the high-thirties to low-forties. I think that would add a lot to my game.

RO: Did you get to see much of the Bobcats during their tournament run, and if so, did that get you excited about the potential for next season?

NK: Absolutely. I didnt get to see the Georgetown game because I was playing in the tournament.

RO: That game was here at OU, correct?

NK: Yeah it was at the Convo against Logan Elm. So I didn’t get to see the game but I saw all the highlights. It really gets me excited. They’ve got a lot of talent coming back with the only senior being Kenneth Van Kempen. Maybe we can win another (Mid-American Conference) championship and make another tounrament run next year.

For more on a star-studded class of Ohio basketball recruits look for interviews with future Bobcats Ricardo Johnson and Ethan Jacobs in the coming days.

RO137807@ohio.edu – Twitter: @Rob_Ogden

By Rob Ogden

Today marks the first day of college basketball’s late signing period and although John Groce and his staff are not expected to add any more players to their 2010 class, the four future Bobcats make up what is without a doubt one of the best, if not the best, recruiting class in the Mid-American Conference.

The class includes Rivals.com three-star players Ricardo Johnson (SG, Covington, Ky.) and Nick Kellogg (PG, Columbus, Ohio) as well as two-star talents Ethan Jacobs (C, Tipton, Ind.) and T.J. Hall (SF, Gainesville, Fla.).

SG Ricardo Johnson of Covington, Ky. -Rivals.com

In a statement released last November when the four signed their letters of intent, Groce expressed his satisfaction with the group.

“To say I am pleased with the addition of T.J. Hall, Ethan Jacobs, Ricardo Johnson and Nick Kellogg would be an understatement,” said Groce. “I am thrilled! We worked very hard as a staff to address some needs we felt like we had following up on last year’s class. We are building a very talented and deep team that is going to fit very well into how we want to play.”

Ricardo Johnson was ranked the 18th best wing forward by MaxPreps.com and recieved a grade of 90 in ESPN’s recruiting rankings.

According to the release, Johnson averaged 11.1 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists as a junior while leading his team to the Kentucky state championship, where he was named Tourney MVP. Johnson was twiced named Northern Kentucky Player of the Year.

“We couldn’t be more excited about the addition of Ricardo to our Ohio Bobcat family,” Groce said. “He has terrific size, length and versatility for a wing guard. With his athleticism and ability to shoot the ball, he is a complete player and one who has a very bright future at Ohio.”

Nick Kellogg, the son of former Ohio State standout and NBA star Clark Kellogg, and the brother of current Bobcat Alex Kellogg, helped lead his St. Francis DeSales High School team to back-to-back state Final Fours.

As a sophmore at DeSales, Kellogg averaged 22.1 points per game and was ranked the 62nd best point guard in the class by ESPN.

Nick Kellogg, the son of former Ohio State great Clark Kellogg, will join his brother Alex at Ohio next fall. -Rivals.com

“First and foremost, Nick is a winner,” said Groce in the press release. ”Nick brings a toughness and competitiveness that we love as a staff.  His understanding of how to play the game and what it takes to win will be invaluable attributes for our basketball program.”

Ethan Jacobs is the post presence that Ohio will be missing with the departure of big man Kenneth Van Kempen. The 6’10” center was ranked as the 23rd center in his class and could make an immediate impact upon his arival in Athens.

“We are really excited about Ethan Jacobs joining our Bobcat family,” said Groce. “He has a unique skill set for a 6’10″ post. His quick release, ability to shoot the ball and ability to run the floor make him very special.”

As a junior in high school, T.J. Hall led his squad to a 29-3 record and a Florida class 5A state championship. The 6’6” forward comes from the same AAU team as current Ohio player Steven Coleman.

“We are very pleased with the signing of T.J. Hall,” Groce said. “T.J.brings a terrific skill package to the forward position and he will really thrive in our system.”

With the signing of this group of players, Ohio only reaffirms themselves as the favorites in the MAC heading into the 2010-2011 season.

RO137807@ohio.edu – Twitter: @Rob_Ogden