MBB: Pack In The Final Lists of Two High Profile 2015 Recruits

Joe Giglio (@jwgiglio) of the Raleigh News & Observer reported today that Mark Gottfried and NC State are in the final mix for two high profile recruits to round out next year’s team:

In what has already been an eventful offseason, the Wolfpack is still in the mix for 7-footer Georgios Papagiannis and recently reclassified small forward Maverick Rowan, a pair of high-profile recruits who would be eligible to play this season.

Papagiannis, a Greek player, is looking to play one year in college before potentially moving on to the professional ranks.  He says that he’s narrowed his list down to Kentucky, Oregon, St. Johns and NC State.  Sports Illustrated had this to say about him:

As for which college (if any) is most likely to add that piece to its roster, it’s difficult to identify a clear leader. St. John’s has an obvious hole to fill with Obekpa, has made a strong, late push since Chris Mullin was hired in April, and believes it has a real shot at Papagiannis. Kentucky is Kentucky, and has a legit need for more front-line depth. N.C. State was the most recent school to visit Papagiannis, with Mark Gottfried making a trip to Greece in April. Oregon also traveled to Athens and since has developed the most interesting angle into the recruitment.

Curiously enough, Papagiannis’ roommate at the U19s is Tyler Dorsey, a five-star guard from Pasadena, Calif., who’s committed to play for the Ducks in 2015-16, and was a last-minute addition to the Greek national team in June.

Obviously, that’s some stiff competition.  Kentucky seems to draft the top prep players they want on the recruiting trail, and Oregon is a compelling choice given Papagiannis’s ties to Tyler Dorsey and of course Oregon’s ties to Nike.  At the same time, State is still in the mix, has a very decent and now experienced team returning, and has a slot where Papagiannis could compete against and with the best.  Time will tell.

The Pack is also on Maverick Rowan’s radar.  The 6’7″ scoring machine recently trimmed Louisville off of his list, and told Scout.com that

[H]e’s down to N.C. State, St. John’s and Wisconsin.“It’s pretty much down to those three,” Rowan said.

Stout competition, but again, if you ain’t in it, you can’t win it.  And Mark Gottfried is very much in it with this prized player.  And should State win the contest for the services of one or both, the Wolfpack will be improved in 2015/16 despite the player losses that happened last spring.

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Home Forums MBB: Pack In The Final Lists of Two High Profile 2015 Recruits

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  • #87498
    Alpha Wolf
    Keymaster

    Joe Giglio (@jwgiglio) of the Raleigh News & Observer reported today that Mark Gottfried and NC State are in the final mix for two high profile re
    [See the full post at: MBB: Pack In The Final Lists of Two High Profile 2015 Recruits]

    #87499
    burnbarn
    Participant

    It seems we are being portrayed a little more positively in the press of late and the holes less so.
    That being said I am not comfortable with articles like this. What if we get neither of these guys?

    #87502
    D Wolf
    Participant

    With Bo Ryan announcing his retirement at the end of next season, I would think that Wisconsin likely falls off Rowan’s list, bringing it down to State and St Johns. Although frankly we seem to have a glut of players at that position. (Maybe one of the twins could play some point?) Between State and St Johns, the Pack is the more established team playing in the best conference in college basketball. However, he has some strong ties to St Johns which will be hard to overcome.

    A lot of “if’s” with Big Papa. He may decide to stay in Greece next year. It will be interesting to see if the Greek economic situation plays a role in his decision. Assuming he decides to play in college Kentucky has one 7 ft incoming freshman and would become scary again with addition of Papa. I like how the Pack would compare to both St Johns and Oregon as far as opportunity to showcase his talent. The big threat is the Cats, IMHO.

    #87504
    TheAliasTroll
    Participant

    Wow, I’m bit surprised freaking Chris Mullins making waves already for the Red Storm in his first year? That’s impressive I guess. Looks like it may come down to the Pack’s established track record versus a new and apparently charismatic coach.. or more likely Cal gets the 7 footer and makes a last minute pitch to Rowan to snap em both up.

    Anybody else take pause when they read the 7 footer is being recruited as a small forward and not a 5? That kid must have a pretty decent game.

    #87505
    rtpack24
    Participant

    Rowan’s father played for St Johns.

    #87506
    wolfpackdave13
    Participant

    Per Matt Jones, a source with good connections at UK, the Wildcats are out for GP. I’m hearing that he and Rowan are both down to State and St. John’s. Seems to me that between those two schools, for two guys trying to get to the league, State should be the obvious choice. Established coach, playing on Tobacco Road, in the best and most visible conference in America. Mullin’s going to have a very tough couple of years and even if he does well, it’s still the dumpster-fire Big East. Playing in the ACC is the best way to get that draft stock up and both guys would shine in Gottfried’s offense.

    And yeah, GP has skills you wouldn’t expect from a 17-year-old seven-footer. He can shoot from distance, including threes, great out of the high post, tenacious defender and rebounder, excellent basketball IQ. He’s definitely got the size for the 5 (and once he fills out he’s going to be a monster), but his skill set comports better with the 4.

    #87507
    wolfpackdave13
    Participant

    To clarify, UK is out for GP as in he’s no longer considering them.

    #87508
    D Wolf
    Participant

    In this interview today GP mentions 3 teams that he’s considering. NC State popped out of his mouth first, followed by Kentucky, and it seemed like he had to think for a moment to remember St Johns. Who knows how much stock to put in that, but I’d rather be the first one mentioned than the one he’s struggling to remember.

    http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Georgios-Papagiannis-2015-FIBA-U19-World-Championship-Interview-5143

    #87509
    ryebread
    Participant

    It would be huge if we could land these two. Both of them can shoot, which is what we really need. I think our offense is a good fit for both and we’ve had to have shown from how we’ve handled other players in their positions that we’re going to let them shoot.

    I’m not sure if Papa is going to play ball in the US. If so, then I think it’s Oregon and then NC State. He seemingly is thinking about his “brand” and the Nike connections. I have no clue whether that is remotely realistic, but it might be abroad.

    Rowan might end up at SJU because of his dad. You also have to think Mullin is going to value perimeter shooting. I’d really like him because he looks like a 4 year player.

    Kentucky has just reloading. I suspect these guys are a little “below” their radar.

    I will say this. With Kirk, Dorn (admittedly has to sit) and these two guys, the staff will have done a great job with late recruiting. Of course that’s if we land either……..

    #87510
    MrPlywood
    Participant

    What if we get neither of these guys?

    And what if Gott lands one or both? The power of positive thinking.

    #87511
    redisgood
    Participant

    Rowan seems to be looking for playing time, which would likely make St. John’s the leader. Giorgios could stay in Greece, but his team will probably have to pay him with bitcoins. It would be great to get one of them and fabulous to get both, but I’m not optimistic about either. Nice to be in the running nonetheless.

    #87512
    Wufpacker
    Participant

    What if we get neither of these guys?

    And what if Gott lands one or both? The power of positive thinking.

    I say we kick ass with or without them. Mid-summer optimism at its finest.

    On the other hand, the positive football press now has me worried. 😀

    #87513
    newclass
    Participant

    Former St John’s player and single game shot block record holder Chris Obekpa To visit NC State. Will have to sit a year.

    #87515
    BJD95
    Keymaster

    Twin B will be our backup point forward.

    If we get the Greek kid, our outlook all of a sudden could be even better than before Lacey’s departure kicked us in the gonads. So many options, top athleticism, and teams will have nightmares trying to deal with our length.

    #87516
    rthomas44
    Participant

    Well, gosh and golly be! Could Summer be any more than “ifs and buts were candy and nuts!

    #87517
    redisgood
    Participant

    The eight we have are pretty damn good. Either or both of the other two would take it to a whole other level. I would love to see us get Rowan. That would help the floor spacing tremendously.

    #87518
    blpack
    Participant

    I think we have a good shot at both. Greece econ is failing again so the big kid probably wants to get out of there and show his skills stateside. I like our chances vs. St Johns with both players. Recruiting is a funny thing though.

    #87519
    MrPlywood
    Participant

    More grist for the mill. When interviewed at the U19 tourney, GP mentions State first, didn’t mention Oregon at all. He does mention Kentucky, but as the article notes Kentucky sources say he’s off the table. The article says that State seems to have the inside track and is the best fit.

    GP says that he’ll make his decision after the U19 tourney.

    Hmmmmm…

    article:
    http://bustingbrackets.com/2015/07/03/greek-prospect-georgios-papagiannis-close-to-deciding-future/

    interview:
    http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Georgios-Papagiannis-2015-FIBA-U19-World-Championship-Interview-5143/

    #87520
    Texpack
    Participant

    If Gott were to pull off both halves of this it would be like drawing to an inside straight. He and his staff work their tails off to the bitter end. I’d especially love to see the Baklava Bomber run with the Pack.

    #87521
    jimi eno47
    Participant

    I was hoping that GP was going to make his decision known after the U19 Championship game … which was “yesterday” ( Greece time now 1:12 AM Monday).

    #87522
    PapaJohn
    Participant

    Gott to believe that we’d be able to pay better than Greece. LOL

    #87523
    D Wolf
    Participant

    I think what we’re dealing with is a language issue. By “after” I’m not sure he meant immediately after. I think he meant that he was concentrating on the tournament and would be thinking about where he wanted to go next after the tournament was over.

    #87524
    redisgood
    Participant

    It’s going to be a two part decision. I think we’ll see him decide sometime this week between pro ball in Greece or playing over here. If he decides to go the college route, he will take official visits over the next few weeks. To Oregon and here at a minimum. Probably decide which college end of July, early August.

    #87525
    newclass
    Participant

    Keep Hearing the rowan is an almost “lock” for SJU at this point. It’s critical to get him on Campus, which could change his mind, but right now it’s a long shot.

    The Greek on the Other hand is deciding his future this week. Its looking like he will be stateside and if that does come to Fruition then we are in great position.

    Former SJU Center Chris Obekpa visited Minnesota and removed them from consideration. Right now he is setting up Visits with Arizona State and NC State. Says he will spend the year off working on his offense.

    #87528
    redisgood
    Participant

    Papa has decided to stay in Greece. Rowan is pretty much a lock for St. John’s, so in the immortal words of Norman Dale “This is your team”.

    And a fine team I think it will be.

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