Xavier Keeling becomes first 2006-07 recruit

IU head coach Mike Davis is doing his part to add a little cream to the crimson state of Alabama.\nThe Alabama native added two players from his home state two years ago with sophomore D.J. White and senior-transfer Marco Killingsworth. Thursday, he stole another prospect from Alabama by officially signing 6-foot-6 forward Xavier Keeling.\nKeeling averaged 17 points and 14 rebounds during his junior year at J.O. Johnson High School in Huntsville, Ala. He was also teammates with White in 2003 on the AAU Alabama Lasers.\n"Xavier is a strong, athletic player who is not afraid to go inside with the big men," Davis said in a statement. "He is listed at 6'6", but still managed to average 14 rebounds per game. That should give fans some sort of indication how good really is."\nDavis credited assistant coaches Donnie Marsh and Kerry Rupp with landing Keeling. He said the coaches made sure that Keeling knew IU was the best place for him on, and off, the court.\n"We are excited to have Keeling in next year's class," Davis said in a statement. "I think he is someone who will be able to step right in and contribute."\nKeeling will enroll at IU in the fall of 2006 and will be eligible for the 2006-07 season.