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Keller commits to Illini

Posted by: Paul Klee

Monday, March 10, 2008 12:28 PM

A stunning run of recruiting success for the Illinois basketball program continued today when junior college standout Dominique Keller gave a verbal commitment to Bruce Weber and his staff.

A 6-foot-7, 220-pound sophomore at Lee Community College in Texas, Keller said an official visit to the UI campus Thursday through Saturday clinched his decision.

"Just from being around there, taking a visit, seeing the team, talking to the players, seeing the crowd at the arena, chilling with the coaching staff, I knew that was where I wanted to be," Keller said today.

Keller said he was also considering Texas A&M, Oklahoma State and Oregon State.

"But not anymore," he said. "I'm going to Illinois."

Lee C.C. coach Roy Champagne said Keller was one of the top high school players in Texas after his senior season at Port Arthur, though he was an academic non-qualifier so he was forced to take the junior college route.

"He's a very versatile player," Champagne said. "He just finds a way to put the ball in the basket."

Keller averaged 25 points and nine rebounds at Lee (14-16) this season. He said he projects to be a power forward at the UI, though he can "step out and play on the perimeter" in the motion offense.
UI assistant Jerrance Howard was in Texas today to make certain Keller chose the Illini. UI coaches can't comment on prospective student-athletes until they sign a letter of intent. Keller said he will sign during the spring signing period, which runs April 16-May 21.

"Coach Howard had 100 percent to do with this decision," Keller said. "And coach Weber came down here (for a game last week) and that was big for me."

-More from Keller in Tuesday's N-G.

Klee
pklee@news-gazette.com