Cole Kelly

#38

SF•Neuqua Valley•Class of 2028

@colekelly_14 @cole_kelly14

Status

Uncommitted

6-6

185 lbs

Naperville

92 Rating

#38 National#35 State#11 Position

Scout Report

The Midwest is producing another versatile wing threat who's already turning heads with his combination of size and skill development at just the sophomore level.

Background

Hailing from Naperville, Illinois, Cole Kelly has emerged as one of the premier young talents in the basketball-rich Chicago suburbs. The 6-6 forward suits up for Neuqua Valley High School, where he's quickly established himself as a cornerstone piece for the program. His rapid ascension through the recruiting ranks has been fueled by consistent development and standout performances on both the high school and AAU circuits.

Playing Style

Kelly brings an intriguing blend of size and perimeter skills that projects well at the next level. At 6-6, he possesses the length to create matchup problems while maintaining the mobility to guard multiple positions on the defensive end. His offensive game shows promising versatility, with the ability to score from multiple levels and handle the ball effectively for his size. The young forward displays good court awareness and basketball IQ, making smart decisions with the ball in his hands. As he continues to add strength and refine his skill set, Kelly has the physical tools and foundational abilities to develop into a complete two-way wing player.

Recruitment

Already holding seven Division I offers despite being just a sophomore, Kelly's recruitment is heating up with programs like Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri leading the charge. The in-state Illini connection could prove significant given his proximity to Champaign and the program's recent success in landing top Illinois talent. With his national ranking at #38 in the 2028 class, Kelly projects as a high-major prospect with the potential to climb even higher as he continues developing his game over the next two years.

Updated Feb 17, 2026 · Analysis by PrepRadar Scouting Team

Career Journey

Neuqua Valley

PREP SCHOOL

Current

Career Highlights

COLE KELLY IS THE BEST HOOPER IN ILLINOIS

2028 4⭐️s Brady Pettigrew and Cole Kelly FINALLY meet

Neuqua Valley superstar Cole Kelly hits 1000 career points

After a great conversation with Coach Huss I am excited and grateful to receive a D1 offer from Creighton University

Creighton University

Cole Kelly and Neuqua Valley HS vs Normal HS

6'6 Sophomore looks college ready. Illinois, Nebraska, Mizzou, DePaul, Iowa, Northwestern among Cole Kelly's early offers. Kelly and his Nequa Valley squad are 18-1 after picking up 14th and 15th consecutive wins at Wheaton-Warrenville South's MLK Showcase

Cole Kelly put together a game-changing second half performance in Neuqua's win over Bolingbrook

C/O 28 6'7 Cole Kelly showed great pace, footwork, post moves, and shot blocking ability

Cole Kelly scored 16 points through 3 quarters against Bolingbrook

Cole Kelly finished with 20 points after 3 quarters in win over Bolingbrook