by Alex Schwartz

Coming out of Dade Christian (FL) in the class of 2009, Maurice Kemp, Jr. signed with the Alabama A&M Bulldogs. The 6-foot-6 combo forward spent one season at the SWAC school, averaging 5.5 points and 2.8 rebounds in 13.2 minutes per game, while shooting 47.8% from the field, per ESPN.com.

Kemp made the decision to transfer from Alabama A&M and rather than going to another Division I program and sitting out a season, he opted to return to his native Miami-Dade County and attend one of the nation's elite DI junior college programs.

Now a sophomore at Miami-Dade College, Kemp has established himself as one of the best JuCo players in the state of Florida, which has numerous NJCAA DI programs.

I have had the opportunity to catch a pair of MDC's game this season, the first of which was a 71-69 loss to Chipola JC (FL) and the second of which was an 83-68 victory over Broward CC (FL).

In the game against nationally ranked Chipola, Kemp had 16 points, tied for a game-high. He scored 14 of his points in the second half as he took over and tried to will his team to victory. Kemp also knocked down a pair of three, grabbed a handful of the rebounds, and threw down a big-time dunk (pictured) on a defender. His game against Broward was not as loud, but he still scored 10 points and blocked at least three shots in the win.

Playing aginst quality competition this season, Kemp is putting up some impressive numbers. He is averaging right around 16 points per game, placing him top 15 in NJCAA DI Region 8. Kemp is putting up just under 10 rebounds a contest, putting him at number two in Region 8.

Kemp is also in the top 15 of Region 8 in blocks at 1.5 per game and the top five in steals at 2.2 per game. Although he has shot just 13 3-pointers, he has made seven of them, giving him a 58.3% mark from long range which places him third in Region 8. Most impressively, Kemp is hitting on over 62% of his field goal attempts, which has him top five in Region 8. (Note: statistics are from the NJCAA website)

The stellar season that Kemp has put together has garnered him scholarship offers from programs in the C-USA and Atlantic Sun, according to his father, Maurice Kemp, Sr. In addition, Mr. Kemp said that his son is also receiving interest from schools in the MAC, Sun Belt, and WAC.

Asked if his son has any favorites or a timeline for a decision, Mr. Kemp replied, "Moe has decided to concentrate on the season and classes and wait until after the season to take all of his visits and make a decision."

Mr. Kemp added, "The reason that Moe decided to wait to commit is that we felt that he would raise his stock by the season that we felt that he would have at Miami Dade. When he was a senior in high school one college coach called Moe the best player that no one knew about."

Coming out of high school, Kemp considered Tulane, Florida International, Gardner-Webb, and High Point along with Alabama A&M, according to his father. Mr. Kemp also noted that his son is a "solid student," so academics are not an issue.

A talanted player, Kemp has a nice all-around skill set that allows him to play multiple positions. He needs to add some bulk to his slender frame, especially since he might not be done growing. His father is 6'10 and said he did not stop growing until he was 21.

Kemp is a quality defensive player and does a great job on the glass, especially considering his height and frame. He needs to continue to develop his jumpshot consistency and become more confident in that area.

It may be some time until Maurice Kemp, Jr. comes off the board again, but whatever schools get him will be landing someone with nice upside who can still come in and contribute off the bat.

Note- photo is from Maurice Kemp, Sr.