On the same day N.C. State lost Brandon Costner and Trevor Ferguson, the Wolfpack added basketball recruit Josh Davis.
Davis, a senior from Athens Drive, has committed to play for the Wolfpack next season, according to Dave Telep, the national recruiting director for Scout.com.
Davis, a 6-5 forward, is a "tweener," Telep said, who will add frontcourt depth for the Wolfpack, which lost Costner, a versatile forward who decided to go pro on Monday.
"They added a really nice player, with great character, who wanted to be a part of the program," said Telep, who has Davis rated as a two-star prospect.
The exits of Costner and Ferguson mean State has seven scholarship players returning for the 2009-10 season. The only post player is Tracy Smith.
Coach Sidney Lowe added 6-7 power forward Richard Howell in the early signing period, along with guards Lorenzo Brown and Scott Wood.
Telep said all three have the potential help State next season, especially Brown, a 6-4 combo guard.
"Brown has the talent to come in and turn the scoreboard," Telep said. "He'll be among the best guards to join the ACC next season."
Even with the addition of Davis on Monday, State has two available scholarships. The Wolfpack is still in the running for Raleigh guard John Wall, rated by Telep as the No. 2 prospect in the class of 2009. The spring signing period begins April 15.
Lowe isn't likely to find forward help in the remaining uncommitted recruits, Telep said.
"At this point in the game, there's just not many guys left on the board who can make an impact on your team," Telep said.
On paper, State's starting lineup looks like: Javier Gonzalez at the point, Brown at the 2-guard, C.J. Williams at small forward, Howell at the 4 and Smith at center.
Off the bench State has guards Julius Mays, Farnold Degand and Wood. At forward, Dennis Horner and Johnny Thomas are the other returning scholarship players, plus Davis.
State finished the 2008-09 season 16-14 overall and 6-10 in the ACC.
Comments
upgrade regardless
Tue, 03/24/2009 - 14:59 — toomanchuWhat about the 7 footer from Australia...is he still available? A big goofy hacker to give Smith a breather. When is the last time the Pack had a true 7 footer that played any at all?
Not sure about the Davis kid, a gamble that will likely be a bust but may payoff. Should have went harder after long term players rather than waiting for the 1-n-dunner.
Josh is third in the state
Tue, 03/24/2009 - 10:18 — JamesinWillowSpringsJosh is third in the state in scoring at 25.1 points/game playing against some good local competition. He's a late bloomer, having grown quite a bit in just the last few years (I heard from 5'10" to 6'6"ish), though at 180 he'll definitely need to bulk up if he wants to play forward at this level.
I think part of the reason he hasn't gotten many looks from other, bigger-name colleges is that Davis hasn't spent much time (if any) on the AAU circuit. That's made him a relative unknown to recruiting analysts and coaching staffs alike.
Hey, we know he's not a one-and-doner...but if he can exhibit some infectious work ethic at practice and spark the team off the bench with some athleticism and hustle, that's just fine by me. That's exactly what this team lacked this year. Adding any of it at all is a plus.
you last two posters
Tue, 03/24/2009 - 07:39 — gvillegatryou guys are sptting out venom! how dare you all talk the truth about this guy!
how anyone could be happy with this scholly player is not telling the truth.
WOW
Tue, 03/24/2009 - 07:16 — kandypackI just don't get it,so we beat out high point,charleston southern and gardner webb for this kid. It is a joke .
Yikes
Tue, 03/24/2009 - 06:59 — crakapackaNo sorry Seton Hall did not offer a scholarship. That is some awesome lineup just because someone towers over monte does not mean they are big men.
Good family is all well and good if you are marrying into it but means squat on the floor. A nice thing for the kid to get a full ride but a waste of scholarship.......We now are filled with undersized players from good families.
So what...
Mon, 03/23/2009 - 21:47 — realwufSo Josh Davis was not heavily recruited. Stephen Curry only received offers from Davidson, Winthrop, and VCU. Looks like Davidson made a pretty good gamble...and oh yeah got a good coachable kid from a good family. Josh, welcome to the wolfpack and make Raleigh proud.
Change of Pace
Mon, 03/23/2009 - 20:36 — jeromfitzwould help NCSU qualify for the NCAA if they win 7-9 conference games and beat outside ACC record with 13 or more wins. I just look at basketball and see how they play that slow and deliberate pace like Coach Lowe play. I understand playing basketball but to slow it down to get into traps by the other team isn't fun to watch. I would change the pace put uptempo team and mix it back down. It's hard to keep up the talent in ACC that set the standards. Waiting too long to shoot at time cost second chances with point because they don't shoot when they had a good luck and prefer to pass the ball to another teammate into a jam.
Horner HAS to be projected to start.
Mon, 03/23/2009 - 20:31 — itzjoeymacWho wrote this? Not too bright apparently since it should be clear that Horner is currently well above Howell in any 'projected' line-up, especially if you took the one projected by the coach. Davis is just to fill a roster spot since NCSU can't find anyone better. I hope he turns out great but, if not, he'll go the way of Ferguson.
So Horner is going to play the 4?
Mon, 03/23/2009 - 22:07 — jpg (author)Horner's a wing and 3-point shooter. Let's put it this way — if Horner starts over Howell, Sid's in big trouble.
Now, if you want to put Horner over CJ at the 3, fine, but not Howell. Howell's No. 51 in Telep's top 100. I think you're confused.
And I wrote it.
— JPG
Horner has to play the 4.
Tue, 03/24/2009 - 09:55 — JPDOhioLike it or not, State has three players capable of playing up front. Sid will have no choice but to rotate Smith, Horner and Howell and hope all 3 stay healthy. Essentially, it will be a 3 guard offense. The available personnel will dictate this.
State's success will depend on how quickly Brown and Howell contribute. It no doubt will be tough for the Pack, but they have guys who can rebound and are athletic. Smart money says they will struggle, but I have never been accused of being smart, especially in this venue. My sad bracket picks prove that point. So I'll remain hopeful.
Josh Davis
Mon, 03/23/2009 - 20:07 — tanntamountState could not have gotten a harder working player than in Josh Davis. I've known Josh and his mother since he was in 3rd grade. He and his mother are "good people". State got a "keeper" in Josh Davis!
blah, blah, blah
Mon, 03/23/2009 - 20:34 — gvillegatrif I had a dime for every time I heard someone who knew someone that was a good person and so was their family, i'd be rich!
can the guy play bball. his ONLY schollys were to Gardner Webb, High Point and UNC-W.
what does that tell you.
... you forgot Seton
Mon, 03/23/2009 - 22:58 — tjfoose... you forgot Seton Hall.
I see your hateful venom is still poluting the web.
Seton Hall!!
Tue, 03/24/2009 - 07:37 — gvillegatris adding SH supposed to make this guy any better? they are the worse team in their league, too. i'm not being hateful. i am being realistic.
are you excited about this guy? is Sid really getting the best guys he can for your program? or is he getting ALL he can for your program?
you guys are at a cross roads, again! and thats putting it nicely. dont kill the messenger!
Blah Blah Rich Fool!!
Mon, 03/23/2009 - 20:48 — tanntamountGo stck your head in a toilet!
What's valuable about Josh is that the kid IS a good kid!! Attitude is everything now in sports, my friend! When you get a kid who can PLAY, and has a good attitude to go with it, you have a winning combination!
You must be a "young blood" - talking nonsense!
I'm glad he's a good person
Mon, 03/23/2009 - 20:24 — TheBigGuyI'm glad he's a good person from a good family. Can he compete at a high level in basketball? That's what we need.
Josh is an under-rated
Mon, 03/23/2009 - 20:50 — tanntamountJosh is an under-rated player! The kid CAN play, and is coachable! Not every fool who can throw a ball in a basket or dunk is coachable!
what a change
Mon, 03/23/2009 - 19:15 — braskamyrnaWow!! NC State will have a totally different look next season. Much more athletic - this will definitely be a running team next year. We should be better. I hate it for Brandon; I think that it's a poor decision for him. He will not be drafted. He's played poorly this year for someone with his potential. It will actually help us for him to leave. Ferguson just wasn't athletic enough to compete at the ACC level.