BamaOnLine.com - Kemp takes detour

July 8, 2009

Chase Goodbread
BamaOnLine.com Senior Writer

Alabama basketball signee Shawn Kemp will attend Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Va., this year in an effort to qualify academically, but it should only be a matter of time before he is in a Crimson Tide uniform.

Canton (Ga.) Cherokee High coach Roger Kvam said his three-year starter will be at the prep school for one year while trying to improve his ACT score, and intends to re-sign with Alabama again in the NCAA's regular signing period in April of 2010.

"They suggested that he re-sign [with UA], and I think that's a good move for him," said Kvam. "? He's graduated and he has the grades he needs, he just needs to get his ACT score up a little bit."

If all goes as planned for Kemp (6-foot-9, 235 pounds) he will compete as a freshman at Alabama in the 2010-2011 season with a full four years of eligibility remaining. He averaged a double-double as a senior at Cherokee, and was rated a four-star prospect and one of the nation's top ten centers by Rivals.com.

Kemp is the only UA basketball signee who did not qualify to enter school for the 2009-2010 season. Kemp made his original commitment to former UA coach Mark Gottfried, and stuck with his decision following the hire of new UA coach Anthony Grant.

While qualifying for college will be Kemp's focus while at Hargrave, Kvam said improvement in Kemp's game will come with better shooting range.

"I think he wants to be a better shooter ? he shot at a high percentage for us, but he was around the basket so much," Kvam said. "He's got a soft touch from about the free-throw line. I think he'll work on catching it and facing the basket, playing from 15-18 feet instead of having his back to the basket all the time."

Kemp recorded 62 dunks in 28 games as a junior, then found opponents double-teaming him on a regular basis throughout his senior year. According to Kvam, Kemp has outstanding potential at the next level.

"Last year he became a really good passer out of the post because of all the double teams," Kvam said. "I think his best days are ahead? he's got soft hands, just catches everything. And he's very coordinated. ? He's also very much a team player. He listens well ? just a great kid to coach."

See Kemp's Rivals.com highlights by clicking here.

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