Kingsley signs NLI

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Moses Kingsley, a 6-9 forward from New Albany, Miss. has signed a national letter of intent to play basketball at the University of Arkansas, head coach Mike Anderson announced on Wednesday.

Kingsley is a four-star player by Scout.com who has him ranked as the No. 53 player in the nation and the No. 7 center.  ESPN has Kingsley ranked as the No. 5 center and No. 49 player in the country on their ESPN 100.

“Size is something we needed to address in the 2013 class,” Anderson said.  “With the signing of Moses, we feel that we are on the right track.  He is listed as one of the better forwards in the country and he really fits our program.  He is athletic, a gifted shot blocker, relentless on the boards and can run the floor.  One thing that people say is that his defense is ahead of his offense, but I’ve seen his offensive game develop over the last two years and feel he can be a low post presence for us.  He is a high character kid and more importantly he is a winner.  I am delighted to have him as part of the Razorback family.”

The newest Razorback played AAU basketball for the Arkansas Wings this summer, helping lead the team to a national championship.  In 2011-12, Kingsley average 12.4 points, 10.5 rebounds and 7.0 blocks per game for New Albany High School, leading his team to a 27-3 season.  Known as a defensive presence, ESPN had this to say about the Huntington Prep player.

“This young man is a competitive sort inside the lane,” an ESPN analyst wrote.  “You have to respect his motor and the tenacity with which he approaches the game.  He’s got sneaky length and seems to unwind as he goes to the rim. There are not many players in the senior class that can boast his resume for improvement and in our mind, he’s one of the pivotal big man recruits in the country.”

Kingsley chose Arkansas over Florida, Louisville, Memphis, Mississippi State, North Carolina State, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Tulane and others.