Cole Kelly

Uncommitted

SF•Neuqua Valley•Class of 2028

@colekelly_14 @cole_kelly14

6-6

215 lbs

Naperville, ILNeuqua Valley High School

93 Rating

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Last checked Oct 15, 2026from 6 sourcesHow we verify →

Scout Report

Seven Division I programs have offered a 6-6 small forward out of Naperville, and the list tells you something. It runs from Big Ten schools like Illinois, Iowa, and Nebraska down to Drake, DePaul, and Creighton, so coaches across different levels see the same frame and want a look at it. Wing size like this is hard to find, and the offers reflect that.

Background

Cole comes from Naperville, a suburb west of Chicago where a lot of Illinois's better prep players are developed. He plays for Neuqua Valley High School, which gives him a built-in platform in one of the state's competitive programs. He shares that lineup with Mason Martin, a 2027 shooting guard ranked #118 nationally who has already committed to Illinois, so the two of them have been playing together against strong competition in the area. Details on his family and AAU background aren't part of the information I have, so I'm not going to fill those gaps.

Playing Style

At 6-6 and listed as a small forward, Cole's size is the first thing that matters, because it lets him play multiple roles depending on the lineup. Positional versatility at that height usually means a player can guard across several positions, rebound above his weight class, and finish around the basket if he's got the athleticism to match. The bigger question for any wing like this is decision-making: whether he reads the defense and makes the simple play or forces the difficult one. Without film or a stat line to lean on, I can't say how he balances those choices. What I can say is that a 6-6 wing who draws interest from this many programs is being evaluated as someone who can fit into a team's system rather than as a one-dimensional scorer. The offers suggest coaches see a player who can grow into a specific role, and the film will show which role that is.

Strengths

The strongest case for Cole is the combination of height and position. Schools don't offer seven times for a kid who can't defend multiple positions or who lacks a feel for the game. Coaches who recruit wings look for players who can guard bigger opponents, switch on screens, and hold their own on the glass, and a 6-6 small forward gives them that option. Specific skills like shooting mechanics, ball handling, and defensive footwork aren't documented in the information provided, so I'm not going to name them as proven strengths.

Areas to Watch

The main development question is how his skills translate once the level of competition rises, especially on the perimeter where college wings face quicker defenders and more complex schemes. Improving consistency with the ball in his hands and reading help defense will matter more than adding athleticism at this stage. Those are the areas that tend to separate a role player from a rotation contributor. Those are the areas I would want to see on tape before projecting further.

Player Comparison

I can't give an honest comparison without more film or a clearer stat profile. A 6-6 small forward is a common build, and forcing a famous name onto him based only on height and position would be guesswork. Better to wait until there is game tape showing how he moves, shoots, and defends before tying him to a specific player.

Recruitment

Cole has seven Division I offers from Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, Drake, DePaul, and Creighton, which gives him a wide range of landing spots across major and mid-major programs. Illinois is an interesting case given his teammate Mason Martin has already committed there, though that connection alone doesn't determine where he goes. His commitment status isn't included in the information available, so the current picture is one of an active recruit weighing options. Class of 2028 players are still a couple of years from signing, so the list will change as he develops and as programs evaluate his progress.

Projection

A 6-6 wing with this many offers has a reasonable path to a high-major or mid-major roster spot, with the range of outcomes depending on how his skills develop over the next two years. The best case is a versatile contributor who can guard multiple positions and fill a specific role for a strong program. The more modest outcome is a solid rotation player at the mid-major level, which is still a meaningful college career. Professional projection is too far off to call with any confidence without more evidence on the floor.

Updated Oct 4, 2026 · Analysis by PrepRadar Scouting Team

Career Journey

Neuqua Valley

PREP SCHOOL

Current

Career Highlights

COLE KELLY IS THE BEST HOOPER IN ILLINOIS

2028 4⭐️s Brady Pettigrew and Cole Kelly FINALLY meet

Neuqua Valley superstar Cole Kelly hits 1000 career points

After a great conversation with Coach Huss I am excited and grateful to receive a D1 offer from Creighton University

Creighton University

Cole Kelly and Neuqua Valley HS vs Normal HS

6'6 Sophomore looks college ready. Illinois, Nebraska, Mizzou, DePaul, Iowa, Northwestern among Cole Kelly's early offers. Kelly and his Nequa Valley squad are 18-1 after picking up 14th and 15th consecutive wins at Wheaton-Warrenville South's MLK Showcase

Cole Kelly put together a game-changing second half performance in Neuqua's win over Bolingbrook

C/O 28 6'7 Cole Kelly showed great pace, footwork, post moves, and shot blocking ability

Cole Kelly scored 16 points through 3 quarters against Bolingbrook

Cole Kelly finished with 20 points after 3 quarters in win over Bolingbrook