Let’s face it, just like how coaches interact with their players, as much as people believe that everyone should be treated the same, the star players usually get the benefit of the doubt and receive more attention compared to the less productive ones. The same can be said with how we treat, view, and monitor prospects within the media. We try to cover everyone just as thoroughly but you, the viewers, want to hear more about the elite of the elite, meaning the Harry Giles’ of the world. However, Harry Giles is a one and only and if you have never watched him play, you’re severely missing out.

The news broke on Thursday morning that the 6-foot-10 alpha-type tore his ACL…again, that is for the second time after going down with an even worse injury two summers ago during international play. The senior big man worked his way back from a disastrous injury these past two years where he let go of his knee brace, which could be seen as a strong metaphor in releasing the cares and worries of the world and pressures that have been put onto him.

See, Giles has been as one of the most monitored recruits and high school prospects ever. He was raised and grew up during the Twitter boom, where everything was reported quicker and magnified more than ever due to social media and the fandom that comes with those wanting the big man to attend his or her college next fall.

I will never forget the 8am session at Boo Williams Sportsplex on that Saturday in April, 2013. It was an open period and the first one Giles ever competed in where college coaches could get a glimpse of him against his fellow peers. While the Carolina native was playing a year up on the 16-under level, he was dominant. Most of the time, college coaches will focus their attention on the older crop but with the soon-to-be seniors not beginning that day until 9:30am, there was an opportunity worth taking. Still, coaches will find a way to hit the snooze button and not show up until they really have to.

Looking to my left, there was Coach K, representing the Duke brand. I look to my right a few seats and there was John Calipari, representing the Kentucky brand. These next few years would be quite the power struggle between the two programs as the dominant brand in all of college basketball. The fact that these two brand leaders were front and center for Giles spoke volumes and to d this day, the attention has been relentless.

A few months later during his time in Central America, word escaped back that the, at the time, Wesleyan Christian star had torn his ACL and MCL and would be out for all of his sophomore campaign. It was during the NBPA Camp that this occurred where the top scouts and media were watching the elite of the elite go at it in a structured setting. At the time though, it felt like the industry suffered a great defeat with the crucial injury suffered by the best prospect in all of high school basketball.

The Winston-Salem native fought through the adversity and during his junior year of high school play, was dominant. Watching his spurts and outings at the City of Palms event last December, the droves of people that Giles brought to the clustered gym that is Bishop Verot High School in Fort Myers, was remarkable, something that I will never forget. It was the best four or five days of basketball that I have ever watched and observed and while I am super excited to head back again this year, I know it won’t live up to what the phenomenal big man did during those few days in the Sunshine State. It was the place he let go of his brace and fully accepted the idea that he was and can be the best of the best.

This past summer, Giles upped the ante even further. He again suited up for the CP3 squad and took his squad to the Final Four of the coveted Nike Peach Jam. While his averages of over 18 points and 11 rebounds in just 25 minutes of action are impressive, what stands out more about the budding star is just how well-groomed, well-rounded, and mature that Giles is.

The big man carries himself as good as you can and in any given moment. For the throngs of people that attempt to get autographs, selfies, or just a peek of him, Giles keeps his head high, treats everyone like they were his long lost brother or sister, and keeps a smile on his face, something that could make him a brand in the future, which only guys like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Steph Curry could achieve.

Why am I writing all of this? The end is near now with Giles and as he received unlimited attention that became overbearing through the recruiting process, attention that comes from the college coaches, fans, media, and scouts, the 6-foot-10 lethal forward is set on committing tomorrow at his one-year stop in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia.

Duke, Kentucky, Kansas, and Wake Forest all have their hats on the table with the Oak Hill senior. Duke is the perceived leader and rightfully so. He can’t go wrong in selecting from any of the four programs. He could be one of the most transcendent ballplayers to suit up for a year for some time now within the college ranks. With the news that struck on Thursday that Giles will have to sit out his farewell campaign within the prep ranks before becoming a possible one-and-done and a lottery NBA Draft pick come the June of 2016, it didn’t just make you queasy, but also struck to the heart of many of those that have covered Giles.

Regardless of what does occur tomorrow at 12PM, when Giles makes his college commitment to any of the four schools, more accurately that of the Blue Devils down in Durham, what is an even more definite is the fact that the Carolina native will bounce back stronger than ever and one day, will make the public gasp and awe on Thursday evenings watching TNT just like we do now watching another Carolina native as in Steph Curry.