As of this writing, the future of Keith Waleskowski is still in doubt — the near future that is. Recruited last year and signed to Dayton, Waleskowski finished up his high school career in dramatic fashion by leading his Alter Knights to the Div-II state title on the heels of his game-winning shot in the closing seconds. Keith’s stock in the recruiting circles rose soon thereafter, and most feel his addition to the basketball program will be a successful one. The question is whether the coaching staff will elect to redshirt him and save his skills for 2000-01.

With Mark Ashman, Stephen Bamigbola, Matt Cooper, Ted Fitz, Yuanta Holland, and a healthy Nate Green clogging the frontcourt positions, playing time for a true freshman appears to be at a minimum. Although four frontcourt seniors will graduate after this season, most fans feel Purnell will elect to redshirt Waleskowski and give the local product an added year to build strength and further develop his game. Speculation has surfaced that should Purnell decide to redshirt Keith, it may have something to do with the recruitment of Keith’s younger brother Adam — a highly regarded junior. If Dayton were lucky enough to land Adam, the brothers would have three years together instead of two. But these rumors are wasted breath at this point. Adam’s recruitment is still wide open and Keith’s addition to the Flyer program was based on his own personal merits, not a twin-tower brother-to-brother conspiracy.

Keith’s redshirt uncertainty aside, his basketball skills will help this team when it’s finally time to suit up for the Flyers. Waleskowski is cut out of the same mold as Mark Ashman. He has a nice mid-range jumper, possesses a blue-collar mentality, and, unlike Ashman, can step out to the three-point line and knock down the trifecta. Just as Ashman is not ideally suited to playing center, neither is Waleskowski — although he may have to play in the middle if Dayton continues to drop the recruiting ball in nabbing a bona-fide center.

Keith is a proven winner who knows what it takes to be a champion. Anyone who takes the final shot in the state championship and risks being a goat has a quality every team looks for. He’s a hard worker, never complains, and is his own toughest critic. While Top-20 programs didnt necessarily recruit Keith, neither did they recruit Ashman. Finding the hidden gems is where paydirt lives and breeds. The Flyer Faithful may have to wait a year to see the product.