GopherHole.com Recruiting Profile: Keion Kindred

If you've read my previous recruiting profiles on Aliou Kane and Stanley Gaines, you've probably noticed a common theme - they're both very strong, physical players. Well, today's profile fits that theme and then some. Keion Kindred, a 6'3" 212-lb point guard from Dominguez High School in Compton, California, fits that mold so well he'll make a lot of college football players look skinny.

Strength and power are definitely the first things you notice about Kindred's game. You'll rarely see a high school guard who even comes close to matching him physically. When he makes up his mind that he wants to get to the basket, there aren't many people who are going to stop him. There also aren't many people capable of keeping him off the boards when he feels like getting a rebound. Of course what you're capable of doesn't mean much if you rarely do it. That's why it's Keion's constant aggressiveness and intensity that really sets him apart from the pack.

Keion is capable of playing either guard position. While his size might suggest shooting guard, his skills tend to suggest otherwise. Despite the power and aggressiveness, Keion's a very effective passer. Combine that with very solid ball-handling skills and an unselfish nature, and you've got a very capable point guard. With the ability to venture inside with the big boys. You don't see both of those abilities in the same package very often.

Somehow I've rambled on for four paragraphs already and I haven't even mentioned what might be Kindred's biggest strength and likely the thing that has really caught the Gophers' attention - his defense. The Gophers don't currently have a clear-cut #1 defender in their backcourt, and Kindred would definitely have a chance to assume that role quickly.

When you read these descriptions of Keion, it's easy to see when many compare him to former Illinois guard/forward Sergio McClain. McClain came in with a big body, questions about his position, and doubts as to how good he'd be at the Big Ten level. He left with a couple of championships and a great career. Another comparison familiar to Minnesotans is ex-Gopher guard Eric Harris. While not as big as Kindred, Eric came to Minnesota with great defensive skills and a jumpshot in need of improvement. We all know what happened next. Eric worked hard to develop a solid 3-point shot, became a very good guard, and helped lead the Gophers to some great seasons.

There are also a couple of intangibles that set Keion apart from many high school stars. First, he's an excellent student. Second, he doesn't have to be the star to be effective. Far from it, since Dominguez has been absolutely loaded with talent in recent years (most notably Tyson Chandler, the #2 overall pick in this summer's NBA draft). Third, he's used to playing under pressure. Yes, he's won two-straight state championships, but that's not what I'm talking about. A lot of kids have done that. Not many are used to playing basically every game in front of dozens of NBA scouts and media though (Chandler's "entourage". While it's doesn't duplicate a hostile Big 10 arena, it's an experience that definitely can't hurt.

Keion will be making an official visit to the Minnesota campus this weekend, and reports indicate a high probability that he will give the Gophers a commitment in the very near future.

Talk about Keion and Gopher recruiting on the Gopher Basketball message board.

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