As a freshman in high school, I sat in the RBC Center to watch the men’s basketball Red/White game and found myself among the masses chanting the name “Julius Hodge” in hopes to lure the New York native to play basketball at N.C. State.
Though I knew little of Hodge at the time, I felt like I took a share in his recruitment, and I don’t think there’s a State fan who would argue he has been the best player in our program in the last decade.
Students will have a similar opportunity to influence recruitment this Saturday at Reynolds Coliseum, as the men’s basketball team will hold an open practice from noon to 2 p.m.– a practice at which two of the nation’s top players from the class of 2009 will be in attendance.
Derrick Favors, a center ranked the No. 1 overall player in the class of 2009 by Scout.com, will be making his first official visit to State this weekend and will be in attendance Saturday for the open practice.
This is the third official visit for Favors, who has already checked out Georgia Tech and Georgia, both in his home state. Though the message boards and recruiting sites seem to suggest he may stay close to home, Favors, and even coach Sidney Lowe have suggested State is very much in the running, as the Pack is on his final list of five teams. His size and athleticism are sure to immediately impact whatever program he graces with his commitment.
“When you bring in the top player, roles can change,” Lowe said at State’s media day Tuesday. “Next year, we can bring in the top player in the country. Roles are going to change.”
The Pack could potentially bring in the top point guard in the nation as well in John Wall, a Raleigh native who plays for Word of God. Wall’s quickness is unmatched at the high school level and he makes defenders look silly with his ability to blow by them and get to the rim. Wall has no official visits slated for N.C. State, but because he lives so close, he can unofficially visit rather frequently, and State remains on his list. Wall reportedly attended the N.C. State football game Thursday and will also be in attendance for the open practice Saturday.
It’s no secret where I’m going with this. It’s a no brainer. Shake the hangover from Friday night, and get your tail to Reynolds Coliseum Saturday to let these guys know we want them at State. Bring signs, make shirts, chant their names, sing their praises, do whatever you can to let them know you are there for them. Make them feel wanted and at home. Though the recruitment ultimately falls on the coaching staff, you can be a major player.
It is no understatement to say that if these two players joined the recruiting class already committed from 2009, it would not only be the best class in the nation, but the best in N.C. State history. We’re talking the top two players in the country in Reynolds Saturday — do I really need to say more?