We released an updated hot board for the 2022 basketball recruiting class earlier today, but there does seem to be some narrowing of focus that we have been able to pick up in recent days.
First, it’s important to note that all colleges now are likely to be saving space for the transfer portal, especially with one-time waivers of the sit out rule. Also, in terms of numbers, on the surface NC State would technically have just one scholarship to give in the 2022 class, but if you would note in the official roster updated by GoPack.com, all players are listed by their normal eligibility and not given the frozen year.
In other words, forward Jericole Hellems and guard Thomas Allen are both listed as seniors, even though they could come back after this season should they choose to do so. We do not believe though this is an oversight of some sorts. The percentage of ACC seniors who chose to do a super senior year was fairly small, and that is likely to be the case going forward.
Thus, NC State is counting on Hellems and Allen’s scholarships, giving them three realistically that can be used next year. Also, redshirt junior center Manny Bates has visions of being a pro, and it’s quite possible this could set up to be Bates’ final season in Raleigh as well depending on how the year unfolds.
•••
Here’s a rundown of where things stand with some of the most prominent recruits on NC State’s board:
• Forward De’Ante Green from Asheville (N.C.) Christian Academy: Green fell out of the Rivals150 released this week and that is not a surprising development. Sources have told us throughout the summer that Green’s performance were a bit uneven. Some thought that Green may have been battling nagging injuries that led to some of the issues.
Nevertheless, Green’s upside remains, and NC State has been a loyal participant in his recruitment since being there at the beginning. All signs point towards that paying off. Of the players on the board, confidence is highest with Green. Sources this week confirmed that NC State looks to be in good standing, although none have gone as far as to proclaim it a done deal ahead of his announcement on Nov. 1.
• Guard Donald Hand Jr. from Landstown High in Virginia Beach, Va.: There is a feeling that NC State has amped up its pursuit of Hand in recent weeks. Prior to that, sources tell us that South Florida may have been a quiet leader. The fact that Hand’s father, mother, step-father, step-mother and aunt all made the trip to Raleigh to meet with the coaches this week is a positive sign.
Hand is an interesting prospect. Sources have told us he could legitimately be a point guard at 6-foot-5, and he does have a good jumper. The sense we get is that Hand is a steady, reliable performer.
• Guard Justyn Fernandez from Virginia Episcopal in Richmond, Va.: Head coach Kevin Keatts has tried hard to parlay his (and his staff’s) background in the state of Virginia into recruiting success, but they have thus far only landed Dereon Seabron from the state. Fernandez is their latest attempt.
Like Hand, Fernandez made an unofficial visit to NC State this week. He is more of a wing whereas Hand would be a combo guard, so they could conceivably complement each other well.
• Wing Daniel Skillings from Roman Catholic in Philadelphia: Skillings is expected to officially visit NC State Sept. 11. The week before he will be at Cincinnati. Like Fernandez, Skillings is another player whose stock rose nicely over the summer and whom NC State entered around the same time.
Offers in basketball recruiting can be tricky, but the growing philosophy is sometimes it is better to offer when the player is ready to start taking his recruitment seriously. Of the players signed by NC State out of high school on the current roster, that was the case with Hellems, Bates, Seabron, sophomore center Ebenezer Dowuona and freshman forward Ernest Ross.
In-state guards Breon Pass, Cam Hayes and Terquavion Smith were all early offers, while sophomore forward Jaylon Gibson was offered after backing out on his letter of intent to Wake Forest.
• Forward Chauncey Wiggins from Grayson High in Covington, Ga.: One of the questions that remains is how many frontcourt vs. wing players does Keatts pursue? Wiggins is scheduled to officially visit NC State Sept. 18. He has a similar profile to Green, whom the Pack is well situated with at the moment. Green will also take a trip to Clemson Sept. 11 and Maryland Oct. 3 and will be with Hand this weekend at South Florida.
• Guard LJ Thomas from Bull City Prep in Charlotte: Frankly it’s still unclear how aggressively NC State is pursuing Thomas, who is older for the class. He did have NC State in his top six released yesterday.
• The same can be said for big men Shawn Phillips from Dream City Christian in Glendale, Ariz., and Christ Essandoko from Winston-Salem Christian. Phillips in particular had an uneven summer performance, per sources.
First, it’s important to note that all colleges now are likely to be saving space for the transfer portal, especially with one-time waivers of the sit out rule. Also, in terms of numbers, on the surface NC State would technically have just one scholarship to give in the 2022 class, but if you would note in the official roster updated by GoPack.com, all players are listed by their normal eligibility and not given the frozen year.
In other words, forward Jericole Hellems and guard Thomas Allen are both listed as seniors, even though they could come back after this season should they choose to do so. We do not believe though this is an oversight of some sorts. The percentage of ACC seniors who chose to do a super senior year was fairly small, and that is likely to be the case going forward.
Thus, NC State is counting on Hellems and Allen’s scholarships, giving them three realistically that can be used next year. Also, redshirt junior center Manny Bates has visions of being a pro, and it’s quite possible this could set up to be Bates’ final season in Raleigh as well depending on how the year unfolds.
•••
Here’s a rundown of where things stand with some of the most prominent recruits on NC State’s board:
• Forward De’Ante Green from Asheville (N.C.) Christian Academy: Green fell out of the Rivals150 released this week and that is not a surprising development. Sources have told us throughout the summer that Green’s performance were a bit uneven. Some thought that Green may have been battling nagging injuries that led to some of the issues.
Nevertheless, Green’s upside remains, and NC State has been a loyal participant in his recruitment since being there at the beginning. All signs point towards that paying off. Of the players on the board, confidence is highest with Green. Sources this week confirmed that NC State looks to be in good standing, although none have gone as far as to proclaim it a done deal ahead of his announcement on Nov. 1.
• Guard Donald Hand Jr. from Landstown High in Virginia Beach, Va.: There is a feeling that NC State has amped up its pursuit of Hand in recent weeks. Prior to that, sources tell us that South Florida may have been a quiet leader. The fact that Hand’s father, mother, step-father, step-mother and aunt all made the trip to Raleigh to meet with the coaches this week is a positive sign.
Hand is an interesting prospect. Sources have told us he could legitimately be a point guard at 6-foot-5, and he does have a good jumper. The sense we get is that Hand is a steady, reliable performer.
• Guard Justyn Fernandez from Virginia Episcopal in Richmond, Va.: Head coach Kevin Keatts has tried hard to parlay his (and his staff’s) background in the state of Virginia into recruiting success, but they have thus far only landed Dereon Seabron from the state. Fernandez is their latest attempt.
Like Hand, Fernandez made an unofficial visit to NC State this week. He is more of a wing whereas Hand would be a combo guard, so they could conceivably complement each other well.
• Wing Daniel Skillings from Roman Catholic in Philadelphia: Skillings is expected to officially visit NC State Sept. 11. The week before he will be at Cincinnati. Like Fernandez, Skillings is another player whose stock rose nicely over the summer and whom NC State entered around the same time.
Offers in basketball recruiting can be tricky, but the growing philosophy is sometimes it is better to offer when the player is ready to start taking his recruitment seriously. Of the players signed by NC State out of high school on the current roster, that was the case with Hellems, Bates, Seabron, sophomore center Ebenezer Dowuona and freshman forward Ernest Ross.
In-state guards Breon Pass, Cam Hayes and Terquavion Smith were all early offers, while sophomore forward Jaylon Gibson was offered after backing out on his letter of intent to Wake Forest.
• Forward Chauncey Wiggins from Grayson High in Covington, Ga.: One of the questions that remains is how many frontcourt vs. wing players does Keatts pursue? Wiggins is scheduled to officially visit NC State Sept. 18. He has a similar profile to Green, whom the Pack is well situated with at the moment. Green will also take a trip to Clemson Sept. 11 and Maryland Oct. 3 and will be with Hand this weekend at South Florida.
• Guard LJ Thomas from Bull City Prep in Charlotte: Frankly it’s still unclear how aggressively NC State is pursuing Thomas, who is older for the class. He did have NC State in his top six released yesterday.
• The same can be said for big men Shawn Phillips from Dream City Christian in Glendale, Ariz., and Christ Essandoko from Winston-Salem Christian. Phillips in particular had an uneven summer performance, per sources.
