The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Sports

Related Photos

  • W. Dayton Whittle

    111808 Kilicli.jpg
November 17, 2008

Kilicli makes it official

By Dave Morrison

For the 3,000 or so who turned out for the Oak Hill Academy-Mountain State Academy game to watch future Mountaineer Deniz Kilicli play, the question was obvious: Is this kid capable of playing in the Big East?

His 10-point, two-rebound performance against the Warriors in an 85-63 loss last Tuesday had heads shaking.

Less than a week later, Kilicli, a 6-foot-9, 250-pound power forward, made it official when he signed to play for Bob Huggins and West Virginia University.

Kilicli, a native of Istanbul, Turkey, actually sent the papers to West Virginia last week. But his official signing was in Beckley Monday, at Van Meter Gym.

And for those shaking their heads, patience, said MSA coach Rob Fulford.

“I think that is the key, just be patient,” Fulford said Monday. “That (the Oak Hill game) was one of those games where he got exposed for not understanding the game here. And it’s not like we were playing an average team. Would I have liked him to play better? Obviously. It would have opened a lot of things for us. But it’s coming. I have to remind myself to be patient. He can play in the Big East. He’s going to be a very good player in the Big East. And he’s going to start dominating at this level very soon.”

Huggins agreed.

“I don’t have a timetable (for Kilicli’s development),” Huggins said. “I thought he was exactly what we don’t have, and that’s a big body in the post. He has great strength, a great frame and he has great hands.”

Huggins was asked if Kilicli reminded him of any players in his storied coaching past.

“Joe Alexander,” Huggins said. “Joe had all the ability in the world. He just needed to learn how to play the game.”

Under Huggins’ tutelage, Alexander went from a bench player in late 2007 to NBA lottery pick in June 2008.

“I think it’s a great fit,” Fulford said of Kilicli’s going to WVU. “I think his style fits coach Huggins’ style of coaching. I think they’ll mesh very well once he gets used to the American style of basketball. He’s going to be good. He’ll be ready to play once he gets there. I think coach Huggins really sees him filling a void of not having any big-body post players.”

Mountain State Academy (2-1) plays at Mountain Mission (Va.) Saturday at 4 p.m.

— E-mail: demorrison@

register-herald.com

Text Only
Sports
  • Woodrow holds off Huntington

     It took Woodrow Wilson’s boys basketball team nearly three quarters to figure out that the backside lob was open in Huntington High’s zone.

    January 10, 2012

  • MSU hosts Rio Grande

    For the first time since 1995, Mountain State stands a little past the half-way point at the season with five losses.

    January 10, 2012

  • OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE - WVU to join Big 12 Conference

    The Big 12 Conference Board of Directors have voted unanimously to accept West Virginia University as a full conference member effective July 1, 2012.  The Mountaineers will begin competing in the Big 12 beginning with the 2012-13 athletic season.

    October 28, 2011

  • Friday update: Big East notified WVU leaving for Big 12

    The Big East says it has been notified that West Virginia is leaving the conference and joining the Big 12.

    October 28, 2011

  • Cardinals force Game 7 in World Series

    After one of the greatest games in baseball history, a 10-9, 11-inning victory over Texas in Game 6 in which the Cardinals were twice within one strike of elimination.

    October 28, 2011

  • Schiano sings WVU’s praises

    It hasn’t been the year that Rutgers coach Greg Schiano envisioned.
    Not close.

    December 1, 2010

  • BNI will usher in mat season

    This time around, the Beckley Newspapers Invitational will have a decidedly more local flavor.

    December 1, 2010

  • Huggs likes looks of young Noreen

    Perhaps it was the season. Whatever it was, West Virginia coach Bob Huggins went straight to the pie.
    Well, the figurative pie.
    Huggins had just watched his team beat Virginia Military Institute 82-66 in front of 12,367 fans at the Charleston Civic Center Saturday.

    December 1, 2010

  • Oak Hill places 3 on AA

    Whether it was opposing defenses or illness, nothing stopped Charleston Catholic’s Tom Trupo for long.

    December 1, 2010

  • Spartans open with victory

    Turnovers produce points and the Greenbrier East girls basketball team collected plenty of each en route to an 81-43 season-opening victory against Bluefield on Tuesday night.

    December 1, 2010