VAN COLEMAN
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The ACC has a number of schools with solid 2008 classes, but lacks the usual depth from top to bottom that puts the ACC at or near at the top of national recruiting.
We will begin our final look at conference recruiting with the ACC, where everyone has just about wrapped up their 2008 recruiting, except Georgia Tech which is still involved with Emmanuel Negedu, or Maryland, as the Terps could drop in late on player or two now that they have had a couple spots open up.
Negedu has listed Georgia Tech, Indiana, Memphis and Tennessee as the schools he will consider. He will visit all four schools through the 15th then make a decision sometime next week.
The ACC is normally at the top of college basketball recruiting, but only North Carolina at No. 7, Wake Forest No. 11, Florida State No. 15 and Duke No. 22 cracked our top 25.Clemson leads the next group at No. 38 nationally followed by Virginia and Virginia Tech.Miami (FL) heads the rest of the pack which featured a number of smaller than normal classes. With that in mind here's our look at the ACC's Recruiting Classes for 2008 and the league's top newcomers for next the 2008-09 season:
Negedu has listed Georgia Tech, Indiana, Memphis and Tennessee as the schools he will consider. He will visit all four schools through the 15th then make a decision sometime next week.
The ACC Top Recruiting Classes:
1.North Carolina 4 Recruits: (NR-7) Tyler Zeller 7-foot-1 C Washington (H.S.) IN; Ed Davis 6-foot-9 PF Richmond Benedictine (Va.); Larry Drew 6-foot PG Woodland Hills Taft (Calif.); Justin Watts 6-foot-3 SG Durham C.E. Jordan (N.C.).
Overview:The Tar Heels just edged WakeForest with the addition of late blooming local talent Justin Watts. The early trio of Zeller, Davis and Drew (All McDonald's All-Americans) were the key to their filling spots that are currently in limbo due to transfer and early looks at the NBA. Davis and Zeller will more than fill spot left by Alex Stephenson's departure. Drew will team with Bobby Frasor at the point if Ty Lawson doesn't return, while Watts gives them depth on the wing if Green or Ellington doesn't pull out of draft.Tar Heels are set to make another run at the Final Four.
2.WakeForest 3 Recruits: (NR-11) Al-Farouq Aminu 6-foot-9 WF Norcross (Ga.); Tony Woods 6-foot-10 C Rome (Ga.); Ty Walker 6-foot-10 C Wilmington New Hanover (NC).
Overview:The Demon Deacons signed one of the best young frontlines in the country in Aminu, Woods, and Walker. They will team with Chas McFarland, James Johnson, and Jamie Skeen to rival ACC's best up front. They form a deep nucleus to build on for the future and could become one of the school's best ever front court's in time.Aminu may be most ready to contribute right away, but don't discount Woods or Walker pushing McFarland in the post. The impact of this class may be a year away due to returning depth.
3.FloridaState 6 Recruits: (NR-15) Chris Singleton 6-foot-8 WF Dunwoody (Ga.); Derwin Kitchen 6-foot-4 PG Iowa Western CC (Ia.); Xavier Gibson 6-foot-11 C Dothan Northview (Ala.); Luke Loucks 6-foot-4 PG Clearwater (Fla.); Deividas Dulkys 6-foot-3 SG Henderson Findlay Prep (Nev.); Pierre Jordan 5-foot-11 PG Dunwoody (Ga.).
Overview:Chris Singleton may end up being a star down the road, and Gibson gives the Seminoles a solid replacement size-wise for Julian Vaughn who has elected to transfer, but it is the frontcourt replacements that could be the key to whether `Noles make move forward in ACC. Derwin Kitchen leads the group at the point and will couple with Loucks and Dulkys to replace Swann and Rich in the Seminoles rotation next year.
4.Duke 3 Recruits: (NR-22) Elliott Williams 6-foot-4 SG Collierville St. George (Tenn.); Olek Czyz 6-foot-8 Reno (Nev.); Miles Plumlee 6-foot-10 PF Arden Christ School (N.C.).
Overview:Czyz and Plumlee will add depth and a little toughness up front, while high scoring combo guard Williams will step in and will help to replace DeMarcus Williams. This trio gives Blue Devils lots of options depth-wise and future replacements for guys like Scheyer and Singler who may move on in the near future.
5.Clemson 5 Recruits: (NR-38) Catalin Baciu 7-foot-1 C Fletcher Veritas Christian Academy (N.C.); Andre Young 5-foot-9 PG Albany Deerfield Windsor (Ga.); Mbai Gato Oliver 6-foot-7 WF Hampton Bethel (Va.); Tanner Smith 6-foot-5 SG Norcross Wesleyan (Ga.); Bryan Narcisse 6-foot-7 North Augusta (Ga.).
Overview:The Tigers added a solid replacement for graduating senior James Mays in Baciu. The talented big man will team with forwards Oliver and Narcisse to fill in void left by the senior big man. In the backcourt multi-skilled wing man Tanner Smith and ultra quick point man Young will help to replace Cliff Hammonds.Solid class keeps Tigers among the league's top teams for years to come.
6.Virginia 3 Recruits:Sylven Landesberg6-foot-5 SG Flushing Holy Cross (N.Y.); Assane Sene 7-foot C South Kent School (Conn.); John Brandenburg 6-foot-10 C St. Louis DeSmet (Mo.).
Overview:The big loss for the Cavaliers is point guard Sean Singletary. The Cavs didn't sign a replacement so they will have to rely on his back-up Calvin Baker or Sam Zeglinski to run the show.But, they did replace some of his offensive firepower with the addition of Landesberg, he has tools to help offensively right away. Big men Sene and Brandenburg could give Cavs size they'll need to replace Tunji Soroye at the center spot. This class continues to add building blocks to improving Cavalier squad. Look for Landesberg to become all-league performer before he leaves Charlottesville.
7. Miami (FL) (2) Recruits:Dequan Jones 6-foot-6 WF Marietta Wheeler (Ga.); Reggie Johnson 6-foot-8 C Winston-Salem Prep (N.C.)
Overview:Wide bodied big man Johnson is solid replacement for Anthony King, while Jones has the athletic gifts to become a big-time scorer and all-league performer for the Hurricanes. His addition will be felt right away on the offensive end for the `Canes!
8.Virginia Tech 3 Recruits:Victor Davila 6-foot-10 C Booneville Starmount (N.C.); Kendall Durant 6-foot-2 PG CapitolHeightsFairmontHeights (Md.); Gene Swindle 6-foot-11 C Miami Gulliver Prep (Fla.).
Overview:Hokies lose Deron Washington up front, but add a horse inside in Davila who can step in right away and let Allen move to the four spot. Swindle will add depth at both spots inside and Durant adds depth in guard court behind Thorns, Delaney and Hudson.With five freshmen in top seven returnees along with this trio gives Hokies a strong nucleus for future first division runs.
Overview:Eagles lose big man duo of Terrell Blair and John Oates, but Josh Southern looks like he's ready to step in, while signee Ravenel will add depth at power forward. Colorado guard duo of Jackson and Elmore will add quickness and lots of depth in the backcourt.
Overview:The Yellow Jackets lost top two scorers in Jeremis Smith and Anthony Morrow, but have freshman Gani Lawal along with juniors Lewis Clinch and D'Andre Bell to fill those spots in rotation, plus they are still in hunt for Emmanuel Negedu who has similar game to Smith. Their big addition is McDonald's All-American Shumpert who will team with Maurice Miller to run show for Tech. He has tools to become an all-league talent before he leaves Atlanta.
11. N.C.State 2 Recruits:Julius Mays 6-foot-2 PG Marion (Ind.); C.J. Williams 6-foot-4 SG Fayetteville Jack Britt N.C.
Overview:Wolfpack lost wing forward Gavin Grant to graduation, while freshman super J.J. Hickson looks to be headed to NBA.Pack will have to rely on Brandon Costner, Ben McCauley and Tracy Smith to fill the void as they didn't add size in this class. Signee Williams will help ease Grant's loss while Mays will add depth and quickness on the perimeter.
12. Maryland 1 Recruit: Sean Mosley 6-foot-4 SG Baltimore St. Frances (Md.).
Overview: Recently loss 6-foot-10 transfer Augustus Gilchrist who was released from scholarship after being unable to regain his full four years of eligibility and recent signee 6-foot-3 juco Tyree Evans who opted out after negative reports surfaced on his past brushes with the authorities. Biggest losses appear to be inside in 6-foot-9 James Gist and 6-foot-8 Bambale Osby, so loss of Gilchrist really hurt. Terps hope Braxton Dupree or a late signee can help fill that void next fall. Look for signee Mosley to add some instant offense off the bench.
Top Newcomers: (Based on ability to impact teams next fall)
1st Team:2nd Team
Ed Davis PF North CarolinaChris Singleton WF FloridaState
Al-Farouq Aminu PF WakeForestElliott Williams SG Duke
Derwin Kitchens PG FloridaStateDequan Jones SG Miami (FL)
Sylven Landesberg SG Georgia TechTony Woods C WakeForest
Iman Shumpert PG Georgia TechTravis Zeller C North Carolina
3rd TeamHonorable Mention
Victor Davila C Virginia TechDeividas Dulkys SG FloridaState
Olek Czyz PF DukeReggie Jackson SG Boston College
Catalin Baciu C ClemsonTy Walker PF WakeForest
C.J. Williams SG N.C. StateXavier Gibson C FloridaState
Larry Drew PG North CarolinaJohn Brandenburg C Virginia
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