Big Basketball Recruiting Developments

Basketball Recruiting22

A few big basketball recruiting developments transpired today that are worth sharing.

First, the good news – Within the last hour, one of the nation’s Top 5 prospects, Julius Randle, dropped UNC-CHeats and Duke from his consideration and narrowed his potential list of college destinations to six finalists: “Julius Randle narrows to 6: Kentucky, NC State, Florida, Texas, Kansas, OU.”

It is absolutely hilarious to read through my current Twitter timeline and see the response from the arrogant, entitled masses that are UNC and Duke fans. As @ReevesiXi just said, “It will be fun to see how the Duke & Carolina people twist the Randle news. Will it be grades? Work ethic? The slandering of Julius begins.” @TheOldManPar just noted that it “Seems like Duke and Carolina fans feel they have some kind of divine right to Randle. I’ll bet you a Jackson he ends up at UK.”

Last comment on Randle is also some good news. @d_johnson13 shares, “rumors from State’s camp is that Randle will OV the weekend of January 26. (The weekend ESPN Gameday will be in Raleigh)”

Now, the bad news – 4-star wing Sindarius Thornwell of Lancaster, SC has reportedly committed to South Carolina after narrowing his list to NC State and the Gamecocks. (Link) Now that Reggie Cameron is also off the board after committing to Georgetown, State’s target list for wing players could be somewhat sparse. The off-season transfer of Ralston Turner to Raleigh definitely takes some of the pressure off the Pack on the wing. A roster that will include Rodney Purvis, Ralston Turner and TJ Warren in 2013-2014 is dangerous enough to keep the Pack competing for ACC and NCAA Championships if the need exists.

The current scholarship configuration and scholarship spacing of NC State’s Basketball program is as follows:

Senior Class
(1) Scott Wood (Wing)
(2) Richard Howell (PF)

Junior Class
(3) CJ Leslie (PF)
(4) Lorenzo Brown (PG/SG)
(5) Jordan Vandenberg (C) (Redshirt)

Sophomore Class
(6) Thomas de Thaey (PF)
(7) Ralston Turner (Wing) – transfer from LSU sits out 2012-2103

Freshman Class
(8) Tyler Lewis (PG)
(9) Rodney Purvis (PG/SG)
(10) TJ Warren (F)

2013 Commits
(11) Anthony Barber (PG)
(12) Kyle Washington (4F/5C) – (Link to discussion as we have not yet posted on the blog)
(13) Open – center target
(1) Departure of Scott Wood – wing target
(2) Departure of Richard Howell
(3) Projected departure of CJ Leslie
(4) Potential departure of Lorenzo Brown

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Basketball Recruiting

22 Responses to Big Basketball Recruiting Developments

  1. jbpackfan 10/02/2012 at 4:15 PM #

    Wow, we need a huge recruiting class this year. Expecting Leslie and Brown to be gone, that leaves some serious holes and very few scholarship players.

  2. JEOH2 10/02/2012 at 4:17 PM #

    There have also been rumors that Torian Graham could enroll in 2013…but with Graham so far, you never know…

    Lewis/Barber…Purvis/Turner…Warren/Turner…Open PF/De Theay…Washington/Vandenburg

    By the looks of that our priority is immediately a PF like Randle to solidify the frontcourt…we should look for another wing for depth purposes even if we have to go JUCO, though if we miss out we’ll still be solid…

    btw, can someone remove the “hopefully” from the Rodney Purvis scholarship count…that was the 2nd best news from the off-season besides CJL choosing to stay…

  3. WTNY 10/02/2012 at 4:30 PM #

    Thanks for the update.

    Randle would be huge.

    (And I agree with JEOH2 — Rodney isn’t “hopefully” anymore!)

  4. Deucepeters 10/02/2012 at 5:03 PM #

    What’s the deal with “hopefully” next to Purvis’ name? Does SFN know something we don’t?

  5. Pack Leader 10/02/2012 at 5:45 PM #

    Julius Randle is the Do-All, End-All recruiting wise. Spend every ounce of energy we can trying to land him. He’s here only 1 year, but ask Syracuse if they liked Carmelo attending school for 1 year….

    Ultimately it will be our performance on the court that will be our best recruiter. Win the ACC and we have our pick…

  6. Lunatic Fringe 10/02/2012 at 5:54 PM #

    UNC now going with some random thread of thought tha this is a function of negative recruiting. I knew there had to be a reason…. 😉

  7. gopack10 10/02/2012 at 6:10 PM #

    Rivals is reporting that Sam Singer has committed to Cal. I still think that Gott is holding a scholly for Torian Graham.

  8. MrPlywood 10/02/2012 at 6:29 PM #

    I always LMAO @ the u*NC excuses…

    Here’s the IC prizewinner so far: “I was shocked when hearing the news. Randle isn’t who we thought he was. Every school on his final list has some questions surrounding the integrity of their program. Every. Single. One.”

    Oh the irony.

  9. Wolf74 10/02/2012 at 7:12 PM #

    ON Randle: I was pleased when hearing the news. Randle is exactly who I thought he was. By eliminating a school with no intergrity, UNC-CHeats a Lot, it proves he definitely has integrity and is the kind of person you would want in your program!

  10. Bowlpack 10/02/2012 at 7:39 PM #

    I rarely go over to IC to check anything out as it tends to be populated solely by arrogant, delusional halfwits (aka: your average U*NC fan) but I went anyways to see what type of excuses and venom are being chewed up and spat back out. Guess what?

    The arrogant, delusional halfwits are still there. Everyone seems “shocked” or “truly shocked” by this news. Some people seem to think a little highly of themselves. It’s good to know that order and balance are being restored to the universe. Now I just hope we whup them on the court a few times in a row.

  11. packalum44 10/02/2012 at 8:04 PM #

    Wait why doesn’t Randle want to learn to flop and set screens for the likes of Andre Dawkins and Seth Curry??????!!!!!!!!

  12. logarithm 10/02/2012 at 8:09 PM #

    I read that Torian Graham has committed to play at Chipola Junior College. Same school Joseph Uchebo committed to after Sidney Lowe was let go and the current regime wasn’t what Uchebo wanted or could handle. I hope Graham makes it to Raleigh eventually.

  13. Sweet jumper 10/02/2012 at 8:10 PM #

    packalum44-Because Amile Jefferson already has that job:)

  14. Hungwolf 10/02/2012 at 8:30 PM #

    We doing a great job on the recruiting trail!!!

    As far as UNC-CHeat I bet Ol Roy could strangle Holden Thorpe. I mean no recruit with any sense would commit to UNX without knowing what the entry requirements are going to be.

  15. JohnGalt78 10/02/2012 at 9:20 PM #

    Entry requirements? Hey kid, sign here….an “X” is fine…..

  16. haze 10/03/2012 at 8:03 AM #

    Looking like the obvious wing options are off the board… need something there, for depth at least, in 2013. Plenty of time but may have to sign more of an AJ-type or late-bloomer.

    Hopefully, we can nail down another big (or two) here quickly and then be patient about waiting on Randle in the Spring.

  17. gumby 10/03/2012 at 8:33 AM #

    “MrPlywood
    10/02/2012 at 6:29 PM # I always LMAO @ the u*NC excuses…

    Here’s the IC prizewinner so far: “I was shocked when hearing the news. Randle isn’t who we thought he was. Every school on his final list has some questions surrounding the integrity of their program. Every. Single. One.”

    Oh the irony.”

    Interesting choice of words “some questions surrounding the integrity of their program”… u*nx doesn’t make the list because it is obvious to everyone not wearing baby blue glasses that u*nx’s program has no integrity. It isn’t even a question.

  18. newt 10/03/2012 at 9:07 AM #

    Probably hopefully he doesn’t go pro.

    What a laugh that anybody still thinks UNC has entry standards related to academics or integrity.

  19. MP 10/03/2012 at 12:12 PM #

    Been looking forward to an update for awhile with the recent news… But what the heck does “if the need exists” mean?

  20. Six Pack 10/03/2012 at 1:17 PM #

    Ole Roy Boy’s ring ploy didn’t work I guess. Oh wait, they didn’t want Randle anyway. Nevermind.

  21. blpack 10/03/2012 at 8:42 PM #

    Great to see the Dukies and Holes eliminated by Randle. Says a lot about where we are. Still have a great need for Bigs to add to this class. I think it will happen.
    Laughing at anyone who still thinks *NC-cheat has any academic integrity.

  22. Prowling Woofie 10/11/2012 at 8:08 AM #

    Glad to see that Ole Roy pulling out “all the stops” with the rings (and the media fuss that surrounded it) couldn’t cloud the judgment of Mr. Randle.

    Good on you, Julius…

    Come to State !!!

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