One name to keep an eye on in the ACC, next season: Miles Kelly. Largely overlooked until last summer, Kelly made the most of his opportunities running with ATL Hoops at various exposure events and popped onto the national scene — jumping approximately 150 spots in a three-and-a-half month span — and now sits within the top-100 of the 247sports composite rankings.
Since transferring prior to the 2020-21 season, Kelly has led Hargrave Military Academy’s post-grad team to a 23-0 record on the year. Possessing translatable ball skills and shooting ability, Kelly was show off his skillset at the Wootten Top 150 Camp back in October, in part leading to his recent nomination as a McDonald’s All-American Game candidate.
As part of the Pro Insight Q&A series, Kelly discusses his background, overcoming hardship, his interest in the stock market, his love for food, the decision to commit to Georgia Tech, and more.
For the next installment of the Pro Insight Q&A series, we present 2021 prospect Miles Kelly, from Lilburn, Georgia:
Pro Insight: Can you share a little bit about your background and your family?
Miles Kelly: My dad passed away when I was in fifth grade. My mom and my sister are my family. My mom is a real estate agent. My sister is in college at Georgia Southern. I live in the Lilburn area outside of Atlanta.
PI: Tell us about what your expectations were coming into this season when deciding to transfer to Hargrave Military Academy.
MK: I believed that we could win a national championship. I knew we had a good enough team.
PI: Now that we’re well into it, can you walk us through how this season has been going for you?
MK: This season has been weird but is going pretty good! With all the COVID things going around it’s been kind of hard but I have adjusted to it well.
PI: We first saw you play in person last summer when you dropped 40 in the 8 A.M. game at an AAU tourney in Atlanta. How has your experience been with the ATL Hoops program?
MK: Last summer was my first summer with them, but I knew the coach, Emory Walton for a long time.
PI: For those who don’t know, describe your game.
MK: I can do whatever it takes to win. I’ll rebound, assist and score. Some of my strengths are creating for others, creating off the dribble for my own shot, and being able to get a bucket at any time.
PI: What is something you think is underrated about your game?
MK: My ability to pass the ball. Also, my ability to rebound.
PI: What are some things you’ve been working on lately?
MK: I’m trying to work on my body to get stronger for the next level.
PI: How have you specifically been doing that in preparation for the next level?
MK: I’ve been working with my trainer, lifting weights, doing agility stuff, free weights, and working on my quickness and agility. I only started lifting weights this past summer. I’ve seen an improvement, already. I put on nine pounds in my first couple months at Hargrave.
PI: Did you play any other sports growing up?
MK: When I was younger, I played every sport. I played baseball, soccer, football. I played football almost as long as I played basketball. Football was my first love and then I kind of fell off with it around seventh grade. I liked basketball more than football around then.
PI: What’s your all-time favorite memory on the basketball court?
MK: When I was in fifth grade, we won the league championship, and it was right after my dad passed away. I had like 35 points, and that felt really good after my dad died.
PI: Do you have any hobbies off the court?
MK: I play video games, hang out with my family and friends, go to the mall, and my family likes to travel.
PI: Where have you traveled to?
MK: We went to Colorado and went skiing. I’ve been to Florida many times. We were planning to go to Mexico sometime soon. I like the mountains better than the beach. I really like the mountains.
PI: What apps are you on the most?
MK: Tik Tok, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter.
PI: What would you say is the smartest purchase you’ve ever made?
MK: The smartest purchase I’ve ever made is definitely investing into different stocks.
PI: If you woke up tomorrow with $10 million in your bank account, what would be your first purchase?
MK: Definitely an investment. I’d franchise a restaurant or something so I can try to triple my money. I’m a big food guy and always trying new restaurants. I’ll eat anything. I think I like Italian food the best.
PI: What are your top restaurants in Atlanta?
MK: My top restaurant in Atlanta is definitely Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse.
PI: Can you talk about your recruitment and how you ended up signing with Georgia Tech?
MK: Offers started rolling in around June and July. I chose Georgia Tech because it was close to home so my family can come see me, and I had a really good relationship with Georgia Tech’s coaching staff, Coach Pastner, and Coach Swartz. I am excited that anyone that I’m close to can come see me play at home.
PI: What was their pitch to you?
MK: Their pitch was that I could be like the hometown hero and stay home and put on for my friends and family.
PI: What type of role do you expect to fill for the Yellow Jackets?
MK: My role at GT will be to score the ball at a high level and do whatever it takes to win, bring leadership and energy to the team, and to just be myself.
PI: What are four words that best describe Miles Kelly?
MK: Humble. Down-to-earth. Cool. Hard-working. Determined. That’s five.
PI: What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
MK: The best advice I’ve ever received is very simple: DON’T GET COMPLACENT!
PI: How do you envision your life looking 10 years from now?
MK: Playing professional basketball and taking care of my family.
PI: Has there been a defining moment or story that has stuck with you in life?
MK: When my dad passed away, it kind of took everything away from me. I just had to keep going and it added fuel to the fire and motivation for me.
PI: At the end of the day what do you want to be remembered for?
MK: I want to be remembered as someone who plays hard and is a winner.
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