Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
Class of 2023 Kael Combs recaps interest and offers from competitive mid-majors
By CHARLIE PARENTKael Combs, a class of 2023 two-sport standout, is starting to receive high DI interest after a 2022-2023 season where he averaged 23.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists while shooting 44% from deep.
The 6-foot-4 Nixa High School (MO.) product is also a three-star football player but has his sights set on basketball at the collegiate level, “I’m going to focus on one,” Combs said in a phone interview. “I’m going to focus on basketball in college.”
Combs currently has basketball offers from Wyoming, Abilene Christian, and Missouri State. He’s also received interest from UT-Arlington and Austin Peay and is working with both staffs to plan visits, though nothing is official yet.
Combs said that Wyoming and Abilene Christian are currently recruiting him the hardest and that he has visited both.
He broke down what he likes about the two schools to ZAGSBLOG:
Wyoming: “I like the head coach at Wyoming [Jeff Linder],” Combs said. “He’s a winner, he’s a real dude and you can feel it as soon as he talks to you. He doesn’t really sugar coat nothing, so I like that about him,” Combs continued. “I also like the conference that they’re in. The Mountain West has got a lot of recognition right now because San Diego State made it to the National Championship.”
Combs also elaborated on the role Linder and co. want him to play for the Cowboys.
“They just want me at like a 1 or 2,” he said. “I think that transitioning from point guard to shooting guard definitely helps, they just want some guards that can really play, just play basketball and have a good feel.”
Abilene Christian: “It’s in Texas so great weather,” Combs began. “I have a really good relationship with the coaches. They were the first coaches that really contacted me this season, so just being there from the start and believing in me has definitely helped them a lot.”
Combs stated that Abilene Christian wants him to play point guard.
He also said that he draws inspiration from NBA stars like C.J. McCollum and Paul George to shape his game after.
“I’d say I model my game after like a C.J. McCollum or a Paul George, just kind of smooth and crafty,” Combs said. “I think what I can bring to a team wherever I go is just craftiness, being able to get downhill and kickout. I think I have elite vision and being a bigger guard, able to guard a 1 or 2 or even if they go small a 3.”
