The Carolina Corner with @JustinByerly
Hottest recruits in NC and SC, Porter narrows list, Youngstown State nabs a pair from NC,
Youngstown State Picks Up Two NC Commits
Youngstown State secured two commitments this week from North Carolina prospects. The first was on Monday with Concord (NC) First Assembly forward Cheick Traore. The 6-foot-8 forward who spent some time on our HoopSeen stage with the Charlotte Aces saw his recruitment really pick up over the past two months with offers from UNC-Asheville, Presbyterian and Winthrop.
The Penguins also came into the Charlotte area and grabbed Carmel Christian wing Myles Hunter yesterday. The 6-foot-5 Hunter was impressive during the June NCAA Evaluation period in Charlotte. He is a prospect that can stretch the floor with his shooting ability, has a strong body. Hunter is an undervalued passer that makes some tough passes look easy.
Keishon Porter Releases Final Three
A prospect that we have mentioned quite a lot over the past two months has been Keishon Porter because of his play during our HoopSeen events. He recently cut his list to three. Radford, Texas A&M and Hampton making the final cut. Texas A&M is still working out the details to have Buzz Willaims come and take a look at Porter during fall workouts.
As it stands right now, I think Radford is the favorite here. Porter showed that he can make shots during the HoopSeen Best of the South and Radford Head Coach Mike Jones loves shooters.
South Carolina's Best Kept Secret?
6-foot-3 guard Janyle Pittman impressed me at our HoopSeen South Carolina Fall Preview and I fell that his recruitment is about to pick up some steam. Hailing from the same high school that produced NBA player and South Carolina standout Sindarius Thornwell, Lancaster (SC) High School always has some talent and Pittman is one to watch moving forward. One of the most athletic players at camp, Pittman also has a body that is ready for the college game. He has some Division Two interest along with USC-Upstate and Presbyterian. I think he would fit in well at the Big South or Southern Conference level with this size and athleticism.
Who is Next to Commit?
Tristan Maxwell of North Mecklenburg (NC) High School has to be in the talk for a looming commitment with an NC State visit up next. With the news of Georgia Tech getting a post-season ban for next season, it is really going to hurt their recruitment chances for a lot of recruits. Maxwell is better suited at the shooting guard spot and NC State (official visit on October 11) has a need for that position in the 2020 class. He would pair up nicely with recent Wolfpack pledge Cam Hayes in the backcourt for The Wolfpack. Maxwell was named a standout by HoopSeen editor-in-chief Justin Young during his time at the NBPA Top 100 camp. Here is what JY had to say about Maxwell,
"Maxwell can score some points. If you follow North Carolina HS hoops, you know this. The son of former NBA player Vernon Maxwell, the class of 2020 guard took full advantage of the invite to the big summer platform. He led the camp in three-point filed goals made. He also took the most shots overall and from three. But he made ‘em when he shot ‘em. He was also a solid PG when he was called on for that role."
McLean recently picked up an offer from Columbia University and some sources have indicated that this may be the landing spot for the 6-foot-4 guard out of Fayetteville, North Carolina. McLean is a high-academic shooting guard that can fill it up and would be a prefect fit in Jim Engles' system. His offer list includes Brown University, Dartmouth, VMI, Howard, Catawba, Campbell and Lees-McRae.
