ACC teams luring top prospects

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.

Latest Comment View all comments

Images