Nov. 17, 2005
Normal, Ill. -
Without a doubt, the signing of all-state forward Kenyatta Shelton to a National Letter of Intent for basketball at Illinois State created a `spark.' But maybe the best way to measure Shelton's potential impact on coach Robin Pingeton's Redbirds might be to look at her `SPARQ' rating.
SPARQ stands for `speed, power, agility, reaction and quickness,' and it is used at Nike National Basketball Camps to help rate prospects. Shelton, a 6-1 forward who averaged 15 points and 12 rebounds during her first three seasons at Chicago's Crane Tech High School, registered the No. 5 score among the 226 top prospects from across the nation at the 2005 Nike Camp in South Carolina.
She led Crane, coached by Maurice Garner, to a 26-5 record last season and third place in the Chicago City Tournament. Shelton's signing came after the 2005 Chicago Sun-Times All-Area selection considered schools from the Big Ten, ACC and other big-name conferences. She represented Crane at the 2005 Willye White Winner's Dinner, honoring the top female student-athletes from Chicago's 76 high schools. The Sun-Times listed her among the five best seniors in the Chicago area for 2005-06.
Her signing brings the number of Chicagoland players in the Illinois State program to seven, including two 2006 recruits and five current student-athletes. Pingeton believes Shelton's potential at Illinois State is limitless.
"She is a special kid and a special player," said Pingeton, who previously signed 6-foot forward Ashleen Bracey from Oak Park River Forest High School and 5-foot-11 guard Maggie Krick from Washington (Ill.) High School. "She is arguably the most athletic recruit we've signed since we've been here. She has an amazing wing span and an unbelievable vertical jump."
Shelton followed her heart to Illinois State.
"When I talked to Coach P (Pingeton), about making my college selection, she told me to follow my heart," said Shelton. "And, after I took a couple of visits to other schools, my heart said Illinois State was right for me."
Pingeton's focus and intensity appealed to Shelton.
"She is on a mission to get Illinois State back to the NCAA Tournament, the Big Dance, and go on from there," said Shelton. "Coach P is a very determined coach and I like that. I always feel comfortable around her and her coaching staff and the players, too."
Nicknamed "Yatti," Shelton plays in the Illinois Hustle AAU program, where her coaches included veteran prep coach Derril Kipp, also a 20-year coach in the Illinois Hustle program and Reggie Dawson.
"Kenyatta is one of the top athletes we've had," said Kipp. "She can run and jump, and handles the ball very well. She can be a versatile player who can go inside or outside and be successful."
Shelton's highest achievements in her SPARQ score include a 27-inch vertical jump--10th highest at the camp. That kind of `national' ranking hits home with Pingeton.
"Our goal as a program is to be competitive at a national level and she is certainly going to help accelerate that process," said Pingeton. "She will make a huge impact on our team."
Pingeton was pleased that Shelton signed without making an official visit to Illinois State. Although she made official visits to other schools, her three trips to Illinois State were on her own.
"Our staff did a great job communicating with her and our players did a tremendous job making her feel welcome," said Pingeton. "This is probably as hard as we've had to work for a recruit, but Yatti is absolutely worth it."
2005 ILLINOIS STATE BASKETBALL SIGNEES
• Ashleen Bracey, F, 6-0, Oak Park, Ill. (Oak Park River Forest HS)
• Maggie Krick, G, 5-11, Washington, Ill. (Washington HS)
• Kenyatta Shelton, F, 6-1, Chicago, Ill. (Crane Tech HS)
