Georgia Basketball UPDATE: Kenny Paul Geno signs with Georgia

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (1) is leaving but Kenny Paul Geno is coming. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

Kenny Paul Geno of Booneville Mississippi signed a national  letter of intent to attend the University of Georgia on basketball scholarship. Geno will play next season for the Bulldogs.

At 6’5″ 200 lbs, Geno averaged 23 points and 14 rebounds a game during his senior year at Booneville High School.  During Geno’s three years of varsity play,  Booneville High  compiled an 85 – 16 record, including the 2011 State Championship. He lead Booneville High to the 2013 AAA State Championship, game losing by a point to Velma Jackson. A 2013 Jackson Clarion-Ledger First Team All-State selection, Geno was also named a Clarion-Ledger 2013 Mississippi Dandy Dozen. Geno averaged 13.5 points and 9.7 rebounds as a junior in 2012, when Booneville won 31 of 35 games.

Geno has a reputation as an above the rim player. The Clarion-Ledger describes him as “the high-flying Geno” and called him “the heart and soul of the [Booneville] Blue Devils.”

“We’re very excited to add Kenny to our team,” Mark Fox said.  “He’s a great kid, a great student with high character, and I really like what he brings to the court.  He can shoot it with long range.  He can also play above the rim.  We’re looking forward to having him on campus and being part of our team.”

Fox and his Georgia coaching staff built a strong relationship with Geno and when Kenny Caldwell-Pope chose to leave early for professional basketball, the coaches called Kenny Paul Geno. While no one expects Kenny Paul to be confused for Kenny Caldwell, Georgia and Geno appear to be a good match.

The spring signing period ends May 15. Coach Fox is expected to pursue one more signee this spring but no news is expected on a fourth signee until early May.

Coach Mark Fox will be directing Kenny Paul Geno next season.. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Lindsey-USA TODAY Sports

Kenny Paul Geno will join Juwan Parker of Tulsa, Oklahoma and J. J. Frazier of Glennville in the Georgia 2013 signing class. The 2013 class is reminiscent of last years class of Charles Mann, Kenny Gaines, and Brandon Morris. Last year, Georgia had hoped to sign a high profile big man.  A quality big man in this years class would certainly make the Bulldog Nation grin.

Time will tell whether Kenny Paul Geno’s signing is a stroke of recruiting luck or genius or just a routine late signee period addition – what do you think now?

Feature photo is copyrighted property of Sonny Kennedy, www.sonnykennedyphotography.com/