Lorenzo Keeler commits to San Diego State

6-3 guard Lorenzo Keeler of San Diego (CA) Escondido committed to San Diego in the middle of his sophomore season. However, he re-opened his recruitment and heard from several top programs. He has decided to stay close to home and has now committed to San Diego State.

Lorenzo Keeler said that he was always open to hearing from other programs.

"I did not really commit. I was like 98% in the middle of my sophomore year, but I never really committed.

He drew the interest of San Diego State, Wichita State, Penn State, Kansas State, Marquette and Stanford. Keeler has played in several camps at San Diego State and visited Wichita State unofficially.

Keeler had said when I spoke to him in Las Vegas during the Las Vegas Summer Classic, that he is looking for a school that offers a good basketball and scholastic combination.

"I'm looking a school that can offer both basketball and academics. I want to get a good education."

Keeler averaged 23.1 points per game as a junior, but boosted his scoring to 32 points in the playoffs for a team that finished 26-5 and was the Division II CIF champion. Keeler's baseline jumper with 0.5 seconds lifted Escondido past Helix 60-59 and earned the Cougars their first section title.

Keeler said that they return four of five starters and will add 6-10 center Craig Austin, a transfer from Carlsbad. Austin is drawing interest from Arizona State, Washington, Texas Tech, San Diego State, Oregon and Oregon State.

He played for the Branch West Basketball Association Orange in the Las Vegas Summer Classic. Bob Gottlieb, father of San Diego State assistant coach Gregg Gottlieb, coached the Branch West team.