Mississippi State head coach Ben Howland believes Mario Kegler is a future pro and Kegler likes the school’s proximity to home.
“[Howland] feels he is a pro, one and out,” Omhar Carter, Kegler’s guardian, told SNY.tv following Kegler’s official visit to campus for Maroon Madness. “He thinks that his size and skill would be a matchup nightmare for opponents.”
Kegler is a Mississippi native who transferred to Oak Hill (VA) Academy before his senior season. His former high school teammate at Callaway (MS), Malik Newman, is now a freshman at Mississippi State.
“Seeing everyone happy and all the fans there was cool,” Kegler told the Clarion-Ledger. “The fans went crazy, especially if you’re from Mississippi. [Newman is] from Mississippi, I’m from Mississippi, you know, that could be me.”
Howland will likely lose Newman to the NBA Draft, but would love to add Kegler for next season.
“I met with Coach Howland this morning and he talked to me about how bad he wanted me and the things I’d be doing once I get here,” he told the Clarion-Ledger.
“I feel like I can develop under [Howland] a lot. He just tells me about coming in, getting my body right and that I’d have a chance to come in and do what I’ve been doing over the years: score the ball.”
Kegler has already visited Arizona State and Baylor and still has visits slated for Maryland (Oct. 15-17) and Indiana (Oct. 23-25). He plans to decide sometime after those visits.
As for Kegler’s upside, Oak Hill coach Steve Smith said: “Big strong kid, almost 6-7. Working with him on his body. He’s about 235, he needs to be 220-225. He’s more of a wing guard.
“Great shooter, 3- point range, good off the bounce. Very good in the pick and roll. Gets to the basket ball well. Can rebound his position and he’s a high, high level player.”
