The first day of the NBPA Camp kicked off at the University of Virginia, and it was the usual hodge podge of trying to get adjusted to things.
I did talk to senior small forward Patrick Williams of West Charlotte High, junior center Day'Ron Sharpe of Winterville (N.C.) South Central and senior point guard Jalen Lecque of Arden (N.C.) Christ School.
Nothing really new with Lecque who has all options on the table this summer. I know the NC State coaches didn't go see Lecque for USA Basketball trials in Colorado Springs, Colo., but then coaches also can only see a recruit so many times in a calendar year. He played solid, a few big drives and a nice alley-oop, but he didn't force the action. His team played almost a three-point guard alignment, which cut down the ball being in his hands.
Williams has unofficially visited NC State, Clemson and Wake Forest, and would like to see some more schools coming up. Arizona jumped in with an offer this past week. I continue to believe that his recruitment will really shape what kind of class NC State has.
Huntersville (N.C.) North Mecklenburg High senior power forward Jae'lyn Withers has had a weird dynamic with the Wolfpack. NC State jumped in with an offer in April 2017, way before everyone else. However, now that he has blown up nationally, the two sides have drifted apart. Louisville and Texas could be the teams to beat. Some think he was ready to verbally commit to the Cardinals, but his father basically said don't go down that road this early. Greg Gantt and Josh Nickelberry (Louisville commit) of Fayetteville didn't do that much in front of me.
From all accounts, Jaden Springer of Charlotte had a strong first day. I hope to see him tomorrow.
He isn't on the rosters, but saw senior small forward target Christian Brown of Columbia (S.C.) Lower Richland walking around, so maybe he's a late addition. I probably haven't seen him play in at least a year. NC State is in his top seven.
NC State junior small forward target Terrance Williams of Washington (D.C.) Gonzaga High is in a boot, so he didn't play today, and probably won't this week I'm guessing.
Sharpe was solid cleaning things up around the basket. I've said in the past I wasn't sure if he'd be a center or power forward in college, but he's a center all the way. UNC is going to be tough to beat for NC State, but the Wolfpack don't really worry about other schools. My instinct says his future strength and conditioning coach will play a major role in his development. He might be working out with David West this summer of the Golden State Warriors.
I saw Rodney Rodgers of Durham, which has become an annual NBPA Camp tradition. Damien Wilkins of the Indiana Pacers was also helping out. Josh Smith, Rajon Rondo, Tony Allen, Aaron Brooks, Ricky Davis, Ryan Hollins, Jason Maxiell, Luke Zeller, Tyler Cavanaugh, Milt Palacio, Sasha Vujacic and Mo Speights some of the camp coaches.
Top five players I saw:
Anthony Edwards, 2020 shooting guard, Atlanta (Ga.) Holy Spirit Prepatory (No. 11 nationally)
Precious Achiuwa, 2019 forward, Newark (N.J.) Saint Benedict's (No. 6 nationally)
Alonzo Gaffney, 2019 small forward, Garfield Heights (Ohio) Garfield High (No. 21 nationally, Ohio State commit)
Isaiah Jackson, 2020 power forward, Southfield (Mich.) Old Redford Preparatory (No. 25 nationally)
Greg Brown, 2020 forward, Austin (Texas) Vandegrift (No. 7 nationally)
Mystery player: Junior center Aleskander Balcerowski of Poland. If he goes the college route, he'll be a touted recruit, no doubt in my mind.
I did talk to senior small forward Patrick Williams of West Charlotte High, junior center Day'Ron Sharpe of Winterville (N.C.) South Central and senior point guard Jalen Lecque of Arden (N.C.) Christ School.
Nothing really new with Lecque who has all options on the table this summer. I know the NC State coaches didn't go see Lecque for USA Basketball trials in Colorado Springs, Colo., but then coaches also can only see a recruit so many times in a calendar year. He played solid, a few big drives and a nice alley-oop, but he didn't force the action. His team played almost a three-point guard alignment, which cut down the ball being in his hands.
Williams has unofficially visited NC State, Clemson and Wake Forest, and would like to see some more schools coming up. Arizona jumped in with an offer this past week. I continue to believe that his recruitment will really shape what kind of class NC State has.
Huntersville (N.C.) North Mecklenburg High senior power forward Jae'lyn Withers has had a weird dynamic with the Wolfpack. NC State jumped in with an offer in April 2017, way before everyone else. However, now that he has blown up nationally, the two sides have drifted apart. Louisville and Texas could be the teams to beat. Some think he was ready to verbally commit to the Cardinals, but his father basically said don't go down that road this early. Greg Gantt and Josh Nickelberry (Louisville commit) of Fayetteville didn't do that much in front of me.
From all accounts, Jaden Springer of Charlotte had a strong first day. I hope to see him tomorrow.
He isn't on the rosters, but saw senior small forward target Christian Brown of Columbia (S.C.) Lower Richland walking around, so maybe he's a late addition. I probably haven't seen him play in at least a year. NC State is in his top seven.
NC State junior small forward target Terrance Williams of Washington (D.C.) Gonzaga High is in a boot, so he didn't play today, and probably won't this week I'm guessing.
Sharpe was solid cleaning things up around the basket. I've said in the past I wasn't sure if he'd be a center or power forward in college, but he's a center all the way. UNC is going to be tough to beat for NC State, but the Wolfpack don't really worry about other schools. My instinct says his future strength and conditioning coach will play a major role in his development. He might be working out with David West this summer of the Golden State Warriors.
I saw Rodney Rodgers of Durham, which has become an annual NBPA Camp tradition. Damien Wilkins of the Indiana Pacers was also helping out. Josh Smith, Rajon Rondo, Tony Allen, Aaron Brooks, Ricky Davis, Ryan Hollins, Jason Maxiell, Luke Zeller, Tyler Cavanaugh, Milt Palacio, Sasha Vujacic and Mo Speights some of the camp coaches.
Top five players I saw:
Anthony Edwards, 2020 shooting guard, Atlanta (Ga.) Holy Spirit Prepatory (No. 11 nationally)
Precious Achiuwa, 2019 forward, Newark (N.J.) Saint Benedict's (No. 6 nationally)
Alonzo Gaffney, 2019 small forward, Garfield Heights (Ohio) Garfield High (No. 21 nationally, Ohio State commit)
Isaiah Jackson, 2020 power forward, Southfield (Mich.) Old Redford Preparatory (No. 25 nationally)
Greg Brown, 2020 forward, Austin (Texas) Vandegrift (No. 7 nationally)
Mystery player: Junior center Aleskander Balcerowski of Poland. If he goes the college route, he'll be a touted recruit, no doubt in my mind.
