Indiana University Athletics
Hoosiers Sign First Commitment for 2006-07
11/10/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 10, 2005
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Xavier Keeling, a 6-6, 218-pound forward from Huntsville, Ala (J.O. Johnson HS)., has signed a national letter of intent to continue his basketball playing career at Indiana University, Hoosier head coach Mike Davis announced on Thursday. Keeling will enroll at IU in the fall of 2006 and will be eligible to compete for Indiana in the 2006-07 season.
Indiana head coach Mike Davis feels Keeling will be able to step in and immediately contribute.
"Xavier is a very talented and highly recruited player," Davis said. "My staff, especially coach (Donnie) Marsh and coach (Kerry) Rupp, deserve a lot of credit because they expended a lot of time and effort in making sure he knew he would have the best on and off the court if he came to Indiana University. Their hard work has paid off, and we are excited to have Xavier in the program."
As a junior at J.O. Johnson High School in Huntsville, Ala., he averaged 17.0 points and 14.0 rebounds. Keeling and current IU sophomore D.J. White were teammates with the AAU Alabama Lasers in 2003.
Davis is looking for Keeling to provide a strong rebounding presence for the Hoosiers.
"Xavier is a strong, athletic player who is not afraid to go inside with the big men," Davis said. "He is listed at 6-6, but he still managed to average 14 rebounds per game. That should give fans some sort of indication how good he really is. We are excited to have him in next year's class. I think he is someone who will be able to step right in and contribute."
