Walled Lake Central point guard Walter Kelser
Greg Kelser said it on the record and without flinching: His nephew Walter Kelser is good enough to play basketball at Michigan State, his alma mater.
But Walter still must convince others to share that opinion.
The recent Walled Lake Central graduate is enrolling at Schoolcraft College, disappointed that he’s not headed to a Division I school. He’ll try to show his skills and get a chance at a scholarship to a bigger school in a year or two.
“I’ve seen him play with his Schoolcraft teammates, and he has a focus and intensity that he hasn’t had before,’’ said Greg, a former MSU All-America and NBA veteran. “I think he clearly understands that maybe he has been shortchanged a little bit, for whatever reason. The obvious one would be the fact that he’s not 6-8 like his uncle or almost 6-6 like his father (Raymond). Anytime you have that situation, the only thing you can do is use that as motivation to prove people wrong.
“We’ve seen that many times.’’
Greg quickly brought up Kay Felder, the diminutive Oakland University star who was overlooked by MSU and Michigan. He was drafted by the NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers last month.
“All the schools that shunned him — when he got a chance to show them, he did exactly that, including my alma mater,’’ Greg Kelser said. “That’s what Walter has been doing and will continue to do, probably at an even great sense. The one thing I can say, in watching him play this summer with his college teammates, there’s a noticeable, noticeable uptick in his intensity level and the spirit he plays with. I’ve seen it on a consistent level now. It’s clear to me he has something to prove. He’s going to look forward to playing at Schoolcraft.’’
Raymond and Greg were together at Walter’s open house Sunday. Walter still stands just under 6-feet-1, and when asked about a potential growth spurt to catch up to his relatives, he laughed and said, “I’m waiting for it, as well. I think I’m growing a little bit. Hopefully, I’ll keep growing.’’
Greg pointed out that Walled Lake Central had three of its most successful seasons ever with Walter playing point guard and shooting guard.
“That’s no coincidence,’’ he said. “The more I see him play, I think he can play at Michigan State. I’ll flat-out tell you that. And he feels he can play there. He’ll get time to mature mentally and physically, and maybe he’ll get an opportunity along that level.’’
Walter’s plans?
“Stay at Schoolcraft one or two years and see what my options are after that,’’ he said.
“I was a little disappointed,’’ he said, pausing. “A little bit. I feel disrespected a little bit. I just try to take it to the court.’’
Walter said the coaching staff at Schoolcraft gives him the freedom to create on the court.
“I’m just playing my game,’’ he said. “I’m just trying to make it to a D-1. I’ve wanted that since I was little. That keeps me going.’’
Walt Kelser Senior Year Highlights
Kelser lacks family’s height but still leads WLC hoops
Contact Perry A. Farrell at pafarrell@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @farrellperry.