In this entry from a couple of weeks ago, we set the table for some recruiting conversations here on SFN. We discussed how, in addition to point guard (see Chris Wright & Jamelle McMillan), that post players are a very important piece of NC State’s 2007 recruiting initiatives.
In the piece, we highlighted JJ Hickson and Julian Vaughn as two dream post players for the Wolfpack based primarily on their pre-camp rankings. Both Hickson and Vaughn and have recently released their current list of schools and NC State did not make the public list for either. Despite that, some folks close to the Wolfpack program have suggested that we not totally write-off either of these Wolfpack prospects.
In addition to Hickson and Vaughn, a few other names of potential post players rose to the surface during the past week’s camp evaluations. Evidently Tracy Smith and Jerai Grant both impressed with their performances. In fact, Smith, who lists NC State, Oklahoma State, and Memphis as his leaders – seemed to really impress those that saw him play. (He was even mentioned on Rivals Radio on Sirius Satellite Radio).
Another name that has garnered a lot of attention recently is that of Anthony McClain. McClain is from Sidney Lowe and Pete Strickland’s backyard of Washington, DC and at seven feet tall he is burgeoning into a highly recruited prospect. Both Scout and Rivals currently list McClain as the #4 center in America; Rivals lists him as the #65 best overall prospect in the class of 2007 at the moment.
We found this nice piece at the Big East Basketball Blog today on McClain that you should enjoy. In addition to comments on McClain, the entry discusses UConn’s current conundrum with a roster full of freshman and sophomore big men that is going to have a residual impact on national recruiting this year.
Anthony McClain has turned himself into quite a high-major target in the last couple years and had Big East powers such as Georgetown, Connecticut, Pittsburgh and Syracuse, among others, angling for his services. Last week, McClain participated in the Reebok sponsored ABCD basketball camp in New Jersey. For this Trenton, NJ native, the ABCD Camp was a Homecoming for McClain (Metro Hoops). Currently, the 6’11 center is playing for National Christian Academy in Fort Washington, MD after stops at Trenton High as a freshmen and St. Patrick as a sophomore. He also runs with the powerful DC Assault AAU program on the circuit.
