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Recruiting Frank Anselem decision day...

Former Syracuse and Georgia reserve center Frank Anselem picks a school today, with NC State, Louisville, Wisconsin and Georgia Tech on his list. I don't think think the Badgers and Yellow Jackets are on him after getting other post players, but we'll see. NC State has one remaining scholarship, and the hope is that Anselem would be a better version of what Ernest Ross and Ebenezer Dowuona were in that role.

Recruiting Nike EYBL Friday recap...

WESTFELD, IND — NC State coach Kevin Keatts was in the attendance for the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League on Friday evening.

The first evaluation period is this weekend, so coaches could hit the road.

Keatts, Clemson’s Brad Brownell, Virginia Tech’s Mike Young and Wake Forest’s Steve Forbes, were among the coaches who watched CP3 vs. LivOn, which is a Louisiana-based squad sponsored by former NBA player Randy Livingston.

Keatts was able to watch Southern Durham (N.C.) junior wing Jackson Keith and Davidson (N.C.) Day junior combo guard Isaiah Denis as the main attractions. Both were solid in a easy victory. CP3 doesn’t have a pure point guard this year, so it’s all wings and a post player. It’s one of their weaker teams, but Keith showed his flashes of being a top 75 player and even caught a body with one of his dunks. He didn’t try many jumpers, and missed the ones he did.

Denis is intriguing but hasn’t been offered by NC State yet. He helped lead Davidson Day to a NCISAA Division II state title. Former NCSU assistant coach Joel Justus had been his point man, and Justus is now evaluating him at his new job at Ohio State.

Denis is the kind of player that is solid in each category, but maybe not great at one particular thing. At about 6-5, he handles the ball well and is a OK three-point shooter. His body is starting to fill out. There were rumors he was going to make the jump to Boo Williams with Colt Langdon of Raleigh Millbrook High this week, but he stayed with CP3. Langdon has left Team United for Boo Williams, who I will see today.

Junior point guard target Jordan Lowery of Winston-Salem (N.C.) Christian has switched teams, from Team Thad of Memphis to Houston Hoops. He’s from Texas.

Lowery played maybe half the game off the bench with his new team and had three or four nice plays. He’s more smooth and efficient, than athletic. He’d be different from most of Keatts’ point guards, but has some of the old school playmaker skills that current point guard Michael O’Connell has. He’d be different than say Markell Johnson or Jarkel Joiner.

Another key player I will be watching today is Zymicah Wilkins of Arden (N.C.) Christ School, who plays for Team United. The physical junior power forward has been a long-time NC State recruiting target. He ended up missing the Josh Level Classic, so it’s been a while since I’ve talked to him about recruiting. He isn’t a big fan of the recruiting process and rarely makes unofficial visits, but he did go for a day to NC State last August. He played his first two years at Rutherfordton-Spindale Central High outside of Forest City, N.C., and won the NCISAA state title in Division 4.

LeBron James came to watch his son, and James’ son will play Carmelo Anthony’s son this weekend.

On the drive from Raleigh to Westfield, Ind., I went by St. Alban’s, W.Va., outside of Huntington, and home of new NC State assistant coach Brett Nelson. I took that as a good omen for the trip.

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Recruiting NC State offers a pair of defensive prospects from area...

Today was an exciting day for one local high school.

NC State was out at Clayton (N.C.) High and offered sophomore defensive end Keshawn Stancil and freshman cornerback Akedran "AK" Crumel, who have both been on multiple unofficial trips to see the Wolfpack since January. Add in sophomore quarterback Aiden Smalls and Clayton will have a fun team next fall to watch.

I've talked to Stancil and Crumel today and will have future stories with the duo.

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Ohio DT locks in NC State official visit...

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Pavey announced a couple weeks ago that Wisconsin, Indiana and Purdue are his final three. The Ohio native holds close to 20 scholarship offers including from Boston College, West Virginia, Pitt and Cincinnati. But he announced on Tuesday that NC State will be getting an official visit from him June 19-21.

"I'm looking forward to learning more about the program and seeing where I fit in the program," Pavey said.

I asked him if setting the official visit meant that the Wolfpack have worked their way into that top group. They aren't quite there yet but he's leaving the door open.

"After my visit there I’m hoping to put them there," Pavey said. "Anything can happen."
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