Now with added incentive to monitor Iowa, Cole Kelly will be watching closely this winter as it navigates its first season under new coach Ben McCollum. The Class of 2028 Illinois wing picked up a scholarship offer from the Hawkeyes during a campus visit on Oct. 18.

“The program seems to be in goods hands with coach McCollum, and it is intriguing to me because of the style of play and how they believe I can fit into their system,” he said. “I think coach McCollum and his staff develop players in college.”

The 6-foot-7, 190-pounder also reports scholarship offers from Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, Drake and DePaul. He fits the modern-day, position-less basketball approach.

“Coach McCollum really likes my versatility, and he thinks I can play 1-4 and can defend 1-4,” Kelly said.

A sophomore at Naperville (IL) Neuqua Valley High, Kelly was the lone freshman earning a spot on the Chicago-Sun Times All-Area team. He averaged 19 points, 10 rebounds and three assists per game and landed on the MaxPreps All-American second-team. He ran with Breakaway Basketball out of Oak Brook (IL) on the Adidas AAU circuit this past spring and summer.

“Cole is a great talent. He has a big-time skill set, high-level feel, is a great defender and rebounder,” Breakaway general manager Billy Jacklin said. “What makes Cole special are all his intangibles; a relentless work ethic, tremendous competitive spirit, and being a great teammate. His greatest quality is his ability to make others better around him. He is a humble kid that is focused on winning and getting better.”

Kelly said meeting McCollum and his staff was the highlight of his Iowa visit, along with “seeing campus, getting the vibe of campus on a football game-day.”

The Hawkeyes came back to knock off Penn State on the gridiron. A raucous Kinnick Stadium crowd reflected the passion of the Iowa fans.

With three years of high school remaining, Kelly has time on his side when it comes to the recruiting process. He’ll be getting to know better the schools that have offered scholarships and likely welcoming in more future opportunities. His timeline provides McCollum with a chance to impress the talented prospect.

“Being the first year under coach McCollum, I would like to see how the program develops, and I want to get back on campus to continue to build I relationship with the coaching staff and team,” Kelly said.

Kelly also is known for his athleticism.