ABILENE – ACU head men's basketball coach
Joe Golding announced Wednesday that the Wildcats have added three high school standouts for the 2014-15 season.
Point guard K.J. Maura of Arlington Country Day (Jacksonville, Fla.), guard Drake Green of Clear Lakes High School (Houston) and guard Kaelon Wilson (Lancaster) have all signed binding letters-of-intent to continue their careers at ACU.
"I'm extremely happy with these three high school guards," Golding said. "We said from the first day of this transition we wanted to build this with men of character that fit our university and we did that with these three. They all play for successful high school programs, with great coaching, and they are all winners."
Wilson is a two-year starter at Lancaster High School and is one of the top 65 players in the state of Texas as ranked by texashoops.com. He's also ranked in the top 15 players in the state in his position (shooting guard) by texashoops.com.
Last year as a junior he averaged 14 points and eight rebounds per game, including 19 ppg over the last five games of the season. He was the District 15-4A Newcomer of the Year for head coach Ferrin Douglas as a sophomore. Wilson is a starter for a Lancaster team picked by many to win the Class 4A state championship.
"I love his (Wilson's) toughness and motor," Golding said. "He is relentless in getting the ball to the rim. He likes to play defense and takes pride in it. He's a gym rat who gets better every day."
ACU assistant coach
Patrice Days coached the 5 foot, 7-inch Maura at Arlington Country Day in 2012-13, and Maura has had the keys to the offense of one of the top prep teams in the country. Maura is the starting point guard for head coach Rex Morgan's nationally ranked (No. 13) squad.
Last season he averaged 10 points, 12 assists and three steals per game for a team that finished 30-4. A native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, Maura was the MVP at the City of Palms Tournament, which is a national showcase for some of the top high school players in the country.
"K.J. is a true point guard who gets his teammates the ball where they can score," Golding said. "He has played with and against the best players in the country. The bottom line is that he is a winner and guys love playing with him."
Green is a 6-3, 175-pound shooting guard at Clear Lake High School where he plays for head coach Tommy Penders Jr. Last year as a junior, Green averaged 13.8 points during his final eight games to help lead the Falcons to the state playoffs. Clear Lake was knocked out of the playoffs by eventual Class 5A state champion Fort Bend Travis, despite Green's 15 points.
Green earned second team all-District 24-5A honors for his play as a junior.
"Drake is a great competitor," Golding said. "He has great size and length that will benefit us on both ends of the floor. He also has a great basketball IQ and feel for the game."
