East High Star Picks CU To Continue Career

DENVER—Shae Kelley generated buzz from all the colleges in the region. The 6-foot-one-inch senior forward from Denver East High School could have played hoops at Long Beach State on a full scholarship. But Kelley decided to stay home, opting for the University of Colorado to continue her playing career.
 
“I did take my first official visit to Long Beach, and I was really excited about that, but I wasn’t sure,” Kelley said. Kelley went on her official visit to the Boulder campus in mid-October. “I went to CU, and something just hit me—when something just feels right,” she said.
 
 Kelley, who averaged just over 13 points a game as a junior, went on a campus tour and watched two women’s practices on the visit. She appreciated CU Head Coach Kathy McConnell-Miller’s style on the practice court. “(McConnell-Miller) is just straight forward, down to earth and fun to be around,” Kelley said. “She was teaching throughout the practices, and the players were working hard, but they were having fun too.”
 
On the recruiting visit, Kelley took in the Buffs football game against Kansas, then ranked 17th in the nation. The Buffs prevailed, and Kelley saw an enthusiastic fan base. “The fans were great,” she said. “You could just tell the students support their athletics a lot up there.”
 
The senior’s comfort level with the CU program is important for her. Last season Kelley briefly transferred to Regis High School before coming back to East. Regis went on to win the state 5A title. “Regardless of how good the program is—and it’s a wonderful program—it just wasn’t the right fit for me," she said about her decision to return.
 
East Head Coach Dwight Berry called the situation a learning experience.
 
Berry, entering his sixth year at the helm, says CU is getting a leader who can do multiple things on the court. “Shae’s not limited to one thing,” Berry said. “She can bring the ball up the court, go inside and get a basket, and her leadership is key for this team.”
 
Shae considers herself somewhere in between a vocal leader and a lead-by-example type. “I know when I need to speak, but I know when I need to show too,” Kelley said. “I am going to work on my vocals more this year.”
 
Kelley said there is always room for improvement and spent a good part of her summer in the gym working on her shot—something she hasn’t always had to worry about with her tall frame. The super-athletic forward wants to diversify her game to play at the next level. “All summer I shot more and just worked on being more consistent,” she said.
 
Kelley’s success is not limited to the hardwood. She maintains a grade point average in the 3.2 range and hopes to raise that to “at least a 3.4 or 3.5,” by the end of the school year.
 
As for Berry, he says the possibilities are endless for Kelley in her senior year and in her career at CU. “I think the girls know when Shae’s around, she gives us a swagger,” he said. “She gives us a belief that we can beat anyone.”
 
Contact the writer at prossi@milehighhoops.com