Several Division 1 Schools Hoping To Land Local Basketball Star

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Several Division 1 schools are lining up in hopes to land a local high school basketball player.

CBS2's Steve Overmyer reported C.J. Kelly, a senior at Queens High School for Teaching, has been courted by mid-majors like Stony Brook, Iona, and Monmouth, among others.

"People are using kids for their talent and not looking out for the kids," Marlane Kelly, C.J.'s mother, said. "So I wanted to make sure he's in a program that's not just about winning, it's about developing the kids."

The schools that have been recruiting C.J. rarely produce NBA players, but Marlane Kelly said that's not the real point.

"Great programs, but as a mom I'm concerned about academics," she said. "Basketball is a tool that gets you want to go. If this takes you to the NBA, great, but what happens if it doesn't?"

According to the College Board, the national average for tuition is $32,000. A scholarship is now worth more than ever.

"I feel lucky to even be in a position to get a scholarship offer," C.J. said. "A lot of guys don't get that."

More than 500,000 boys play high school basketball and about 1 percent will get a college scholarship.

"In my family, education is big. In this economy, everything is competitive and you're gonna need that paper to get the better jobs," Marlane Kelly said.

C.J. is currently taking part in a tournament in Ardsley, New York, that's being attended by more than 60 college coaches.

"Some of these guys, the NBA is not in their future. Go to college for four years and prioritize your education and you're in a great spot afterwards," tournament organizer Matt Shocket said.

C.J.'s parents both earned Division 1 scholarships, and so did his sister. Marlane Kelly said her son's success won't be where he signs a letter of intent, but where he gets his degree.

"And him being happy playing wherever he decides to go. That would be a happy success in this process for me, for him. I think we're on our way," she said.

C.J. is hoping he can raise his profile higher and get noticed by more schools during the tournament.

Most of the NCAA Division 1 athletic scholarships are only partial scholarships. The average is about $14,000 a year, leaving families to pick up the rest of the tab.