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Published Wed, Nov 11, 2009 06:27 AM
Modified Wed, Nov 11, 2009 06:28 AM

ACC teams luring top prospects

COREY LOWENSTEIN - clowenst@newsobserver.com
Enloe's Melvin Tabb (34) will play for Wake Forest next season.
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- STAFF WRITER

It's time to load up on guard prospects in the ACC.

With the fall's early signing period beginning today, Duke, North Carolina, N.C. State and Wake Forest all have commitments from at least two backcourt prospects in the Class of 2010.

The point guard lineup is particularly strong, with Duke's Kyrie Irving, North Carolina's Kendall Marshall, N.C. State's Ryan Harrow and Wake Forest's Tony Chennault all pledging to run the show at prominent programs.

But the week's biggest college basketball recruiting news won't come until Friday, when No. 1-ranked prospect Harrison Barnes of Ames, Iowa, is scheduled to announce his school choice and sign his letter of intent.

(Hopeful fans of Duke and North Carolina - as well as of Iowa State, Kansas, Oklahoma and UCLA - can see what Barnes decides on ESPNU, which will televise the news conference from his school at 4 p.m. Friday.)

In the meantime, there are plenty of highly recruited prospects for fans to get excited about as they prepare to sign with ACC schools. Here is a look at who's coming in and the destinations of the top prospects in a deep class of North Carolina talent:

Duke

Commitments: Kyrie Irving (6-1), G, Elizabeth, N.J.; Tyler Thornton (6-2), G, Washington, D.C.; Josh Hairston (6-8), F, Spotsylvania, Va.

Wish list: Harrison Barnes (6-6), F, Ames, Iowa

Analysis: Irving is one of the best point guards in the nation and a top-five prospect. Hairston is big enough to bang inside and has a decent mid-range jumper. If the Blue Devils can land Barnes, they should end up with the No. 1-ranked class.

North Carolina

Commitments: Reggie Bullock (6-6), G, Kinston; Kendall Marshall (6-3), G, Arlington, Va.

Wish list: Harrison Barnes, F, Ames, Iowa

Analysis: Marshall is an unusually gifted passer, and Bullock is one of the smoothest wings in the class. Adding Barnes would give the Tar Heels big-time talent at the "1," "2" and "3" positions.

N.C. State

Commitments: Ryan Harrow (5-11), G, Marietta, Ga.; Luke Cothron (6-8), F, Red Springs; Lorenzo Brown (6-4), G, Roswell, Ga.

Wish list: C.J. Leslie (6-8), F, Word of God.

Analysis: If all three players enroll, this would be Sidney Lowe's strongest recruiting class. Harrow finally would give Sidney Lowe the dynamic point guard he craves. Brown is posting big numbers at Hargrave Military but needs to get his academic credentials in order there.

Wake Forest

Commitments: Carson Desrosiers (6-11), C, Lawrence, Mass.; Travis McKie (6-6), F, Richmond, Va.; Melvin Tabb (6-8), F, Enloe; Tony Chennault (6-1), G, Philadelphia; J.T. Terrell (6-3), G, Charlotte.

Wish list: None

Analysis: The class has big-time depth, which coach Dino Gaudio needs as he faces the prospect of losing sophomore Al-Farouq Aminu to the NBA Draft, along with four seniors. Only Chennault isn't rated in the top 100 nationally by scout.com.

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    Images

    • Cothron will play at N.C. State.
    • N.C. State hopes to entice Word of God's C.J. Leslie (5) to patrol the middle for the Wolfpack next season.
      NEWS & OBSERVER STAFF PHOTO
    • Kinston guard Reggie Bullock may be on the wing for North Carolina next season.
      RAY BLACK

    N.C. standouts

    The state of North Carolina has produced a large quantity of top-notch talent for the class of 2010. Eight players at North Carolina high schools are rated in the top 100 of scout.com's rankings. Here are their plans:

    Player

    Ht.

    Pos.

    H.town

    Scout.com rank

    School

    Reggie Bullock

    6-6

    G

    Kinston

    11

    UNC

    C.J. Leslie

    6-8

    F

    Raleigh

    12

    Undecided

    Damontre Harris

    6-9

    C

    Fayetteville

    40

    So. Car.

    Ian Miller

    6-2

    G

    Charlotte

    48

    FSU

    Luke Cothron

    6-8

    F

    Red Springs

    57

    N.C. State

    J.T. Terrell

    6-3

    G

    Charlotte

    75

    Wake

    Jarrell Eddie

    6-6

    F

    Concord

    77

    Va. Tech

    Melvin Tabb

    6-8

    F

    Raleigh

    88

    Wake

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