The Run Down doesn’t normally need a introduction, but after probably watching over 15 games this past weekend between the NCHSAA event in Bermuda Run, N.C., and the NCISAA one at Lewisville (N.C.) Forsyth Country Day, it’s time to spit out some knowledge.
1. Clarity is starting to come into focus on who the top players in the state of North Carolina are in the class 2025 and 2026.
The 2025 class is a little more fuzzier, but Charlotte (N.C.) Myers Park junior power forward Sadiq White is starting to separate himself from the group. White has been on the scene for about 14 months now, and NC State coach Kevin Keatts and assistant coach Joel Justus tracked him this weekend at the Rise complex in Bermuda Run, N.C. The Wolfpack offered him after watching him Saturday, making him just the third class of 2025 prospect offered.
White is still years away from living up to his full potential. He checked in at 6-foot-6 1/2 and 181 pounds with an impressive 7-0 wingspan at the Nike Elite top 100 camp, which allows him to handle the majority of his power forward duties. He’s a gifted athlete, shot-blocker, good rebounder and valuable on the defensive end.
The Salisbury, N.C., native is starting to have offense is starting to come around, where it is more than just dunks and layups. If he gets to the point where he can create offense from the perimeter, that’s when you will see the big leap to top 25 status and potentially being a five-star prospect.
NC State, Florida State, Georgia, Illinois, LSU, Mississippi State, South Carolina, Syracuse, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest have offered him.
Out of that group, coaches were spotted from NC State, FSU, Georgia, LSU, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest in Bermuda Run. North Carolina also had an assistant watching him at times, and if the Tar Heels jump in, they’d be a formidable foe.
2. Hillsborough (N.C.) Orange sophomore Cole Cloer is essentially where White was when it comes to recruiting a year ago.
Cloer has two offers right now, from High Point and Wake Forest, where new coach Alan Huss (former Creighton assistant), has been pretty good at targeting the younger players in the state. Cloer at this time next year, will likely be a top 30-40 player with a good group of colleges on his list.
Cloer is about 6-6 and all arms and legs, but he has a sophisticated offensive package on the wing, and his length helps him block shots on the other end. Cloer should end up being a knock down shooter, has some shake with the ball in his hands and enough bounce where he finishes in-bounds alley-oop dunks. He’ll get strong and likely maybe taller over the next two years, though he is a year older than his class.
NC State’s Justus and UNC assistant coach Brad Frederick watched him at times, and the seeds probably are getting planted. Wake Forest offered him Monday.
Cloer’s uncle attended NC State for a short time, and his dad grew up watching David Thompson and Tom Burleson play hoops in the 1970s. The Cloers are also tight with the Wilson family.
Grant Cloer played with and is close friends with NC State star outside linebacker Payton Wilson, who attended Orange. Garrett Cloer played with and is close friends with Major League Baseball pitcher Bryse Wilson, who is Payton’s older brother.
Whereas White would probably think quickly and hard if UNC offers, Cloer might still take his time with the process.
3. The should they offer or not debate is always fun.
Luke Maye (UNC), Gary Clark (Cincinnati), Sidy Djitte (Clemson), and Jalen Cone (Virginia Tech/Northern Arizona/California), immediately come to mind — I’m sure the board can add others. Perhaps Jalen Hood-Schifino (Indiana), Aden Holloway (Auburn) and Trey Green (Xavier) are the latest wave. Clark and Cone did get offered.
I’ll play a hunch that Greensboro (N.C.) Caldwell Academy reclassed junior guard Jaylen Cross is on the horizon.
Cross was 6-1 1/4 and 183 pounds with a 6-6 wingspan. He’s starting to become a combo guard and has offers from East Carolina, Appalachian State, Charleston, Albany and Hampton. I could see 40 percent of the ACC offering him when the recruiting dust settles.
NC State has been watching him, and he was with Greensboro (N.C.) Northwest Guilford and was coming off the bench for Team United 16s, while a member of the 2024 class. A lot has changed over the last year.
Cross went to Caldwell Academy, reclassed to 2025 and joined CP3 16s, where he’s a major cog with Greensboro Grimsley junior wing Zacch Wiggins.
Cross grew up a UNC fan, but I don’t know if he’ll get on the Tar Heels radar, but NC State has an ace in the hole. Justus played with Caldwell Academy coach Brandon Clifford while at North Carolina-Wilmington. It is a “who you know” business.
1. Clarity is starting to come into focus on who the top players in the state of North Carolina are in the class 2025 and 2026.
The 2025 class is a little more fuzzier, but Charlotte (N.C.) Myers Park junior power forward Sadiq White is starting to separate himself from the group. White has been on the scene for about 14 months now, and NC State coach Kevin Keatts and assistant coach Joel Justus tracked him this weekend at the Rise complex in Bermuda Run, N.C. The Wolfpack offered him after watching him Saturday, making him just the third class of 2025 prospect offered.
White is still years away from living up to his full potential. He checked in at 6-foot-6 1/2 and 181 pounds with an impressive 7-0 wingspan at the Nike Elite top 100 camp, which allows him to handle the majority of his power forward duties. He’s a gifted athlete, shot-blocker, good rebounder and valuable on the defensive end.
The Salisbury, N.C., native is starting to have offense is starting to come around, where it is more than just dunks and layups. If he gets to the point where he can create offense from the perimeter, that’s when you will see the big leap to top 25 status and potentially being a five-star prospect.
NC State, Florida State, Georgia, Illinois, LSU, Mississippi State, South Carolina, Syracuse, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest have offered him.
Out of that group, coaches were spotted from NC State, FSU, Georgia, LSU, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest in Bermuda Run. North Carolina also had an assistant watching him at times, and if the Tar Heels jump in, they’d be a formidable foe.
2. Hillsborough (N.C.) Orange sophomore Cole Cloer is essentially where White was when it comes to recruiting a year ago.
Cloer has two offers right now, from High Point and Wake Forest, where new coach Alan Huss (former Creighton assistant), has been pretty good at targeting the younger players in the state. Cloer at this time next year, will likely be a top 30-40 player with a good group of colleges on his list.
Cloer is about 6-6 and all arms and legs, but he has a sophisticated offensive package on the wing, and his length helps him block shots on the other end. Cloer should end up being a knock down shooter, has some shake with the ball in his hands and enough bounce where he finishes in-bounds alley-oop dunks. He’ll get strong and likely maybe taller over the next two years, though he is a year older than his class.
NC State’s Justus and UNC assistant coach Brad Frederick watched him at times, and the seeds probably are getting planted. Wake Forest offered him Monday.
Cloer’s uncle attended NC State for a short time, and his dad grew up watching David Thompson and Tom Burleson play hoops in the 1970s. The Cloers are also tight with the Wilson family.
Grant Cloer played with and is close friends with NC State star outside linebacker Payton Wilson, who attended Orange. Garrett Cloer played with and is close friends with Major League Baseball pitcher Bryse Wilson, who is Payton’s older brother.
Whereas White would probably think quickly and hard if UNC offers, Cloer might still take his time with the process.
3. The should they offer or not debate is always fun.
Luke Maye (UNC), Gary Clark (Cincinnati), Sidy Djitte (Clemson), and Jalen Cone (Virginia Tech/Northern Arizona/California), immediately come to mind — I’m sure the board can add others. Perhaps Jalen Hood-Schifino (Indiana), Aden Holloway (Auburn) and Trey Green (Xavier) are the latest wave. Clark and Cone did get offered.
I’ll play a hunch that Greensboro (N.C.) Caldwell Academy reclassed junior guard Jaylen Cross is on the horizon.
Cross was 6-1 1/4 and 183 pounds with a 6-6 wingspan. He’s starting to become a combo guard and has offers from East Carolina, Appalachian State, Charleston, Albany and Hampton. I could see 40 percent of the ACC offering him when the recruiting dust settles.
NC State has been watching him, and he was with Greensboro (N.C.) Northwest Guilford and was coming off the bench for Team United 16s, while a member of the 2024 class. A lot has changed over the last year.
Cross went to Caldwell Academy, reclassed to 2025 and joined CP3 16s, where he’s a major cog with Greensboro Grimsley junior wing Zacch Wiggins.
Cross grew up a UNC fan, but I don’t know if he’ll get on the Tar Heels radar, but NC State has an ace in the hole. Justus played with Caldwell Academy coach Brandon Clifford while at North Carolina-Wilmington. It is a “who you know” business.
