Former Tiger Finds New Home

While Newton North gets ready for the 2010 season, one of its own is settling in to a new basketball life in Connecticut.

Greg Kelley, the 6-foot-8-inch Tigers alum, took his basketball game and his mind to Yale University, and he is slowly acclimating himself to a school that is a "perfect fit."

"You hear about the big schools growing up having great basketball programs, but you (also) hear about Yale's academic program growing up," said Kelley. "That's a dream I've always had--to succeed at the highest level. I feel like it's a perfect fit."

The start to Kelley's basketball career got off to a bump as he recently suffered a concussion, but is slowly working his way back into game action. There is no timetable for his return, but before the injury he was working his way into learning the college game.

The biggest difference for Kelley is the commitment that is needed to compete for the Div. 1 level.

"Even in the preseason you are practicing seven times a week," said Kelley, who was named the Div. 1 South player of the year for the Tigers. "Conditioning seven times a week, you are in the weight room seven times a week, we are watching film for a few hours every day or we are in practice for two and a half to three hours every night."

All of this could seem daunting, especially at a university with the demanding academic prowess at Yale. But Kelley has slowly learned that the coaching staff and other players on the team all take studies inside the classroom very seriously.

"There's a good balance," said Kelley. "We have classes to get to on top of the basketball schedule, but our coach always tells us to get to class."

"We realize at the end of the day we play basketball because it's fun, but at the same time we have other things going for us too," he adds. "It's a great environment and I think it's really healthy the way they stress academics as well as basketball."

Kelley said he may become and English major, although he has yet to officially decide. One thing is for sure, though, he will be getting a great education in basketball.

Yale participates in Div. 1 competition, and when it goes outside of the Ivy League, the Bulldogs play competition from the Big East, Atlantic Coast and Big Ten, just to name a few major conferences.

The multi-talented forward has had to learn on the fly in practice to get up to speed in the college game.

"They kind of throw you to the wolves," he said. "The game is much faster and it's more physical. You are kind of forced to adjust."

One person who thinks Kelley will have what it takes when he does return to the hardwood is his former coach Paul Connolly.

"I'm going to miss his leadership, his charisma, his ability to get guys to play at a high level," said Connelly, who also said that Kelley was one his favorite and best players ever. "He was a great leader and it all stemmed back to his work ethic."