N.C. State's basketball recruiting class got bigger on Wednesday in both quality and quantity.
Forward DeShawn Painter, a top-75 prospect, committed to play for the Wolfpack in the 2009-10 season, increasing its incoming freshmen class to six.
The addition of Painter, a 6-9 and 210-pound power forward, puts State at the scholarship limit of 13 for the upcoming season. That means room would have to be made to sign Raleigh point guard John Wall, who is still undecided on his college future.
Like Wall, Painter was considered one of the best available prospects left in the class of 2009. He originally signed with the University of Florida but was let out of his Letter of Intent, he said. Painter, who spent the past season at Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Va., grew up an ACC fan in Norfolk, Va.
"I wanted to play closer to home," Painter said. "I love the coaching staff and I fit in with the [N.C. State] players."
With the graduation of forwards Brandon Costner and Ben McCauley, Tracy Smith is the only returning post option on scholarship.
Painter, forward Richard Howell and 7-footer Jordan Vandenberg will all add size to State's roster. Dave Telep, of Scout.com, said Painter is a great addition for coach Sidney Lowe, particularly this late in the recruiting process.
Telep ranks Painter as the 69th-best prospect nationally in the class, five spots behind Howell, but said Painter has a bigger upside.
"He has a nice balance to his game at the power forward spot," Telep said. "He's another guy that you count on to contribute as a freshman and grow as a player."
Painter said the chance to play right away helped him choose State over Maryland.
"We all have the opportunity to play as freshmen," Painter said. "It should be fun."
Painter is one of six Division I signees on the Hargrave roster, Telep said. That type of competition from daily practices will help him in the ACC.
"I feel like I'm prepared from the guys on my team and we played some college JV teams and Division III teams," said Painter, who'll arrive on campus for the second summer session. "Plus, it's military school, so discipline-wise, I think I'm ready."
Comments
Two Years
Sat, 05/16/2009 - 12:06 — willncsuSid gets two more years no mater what. I don't really like it but that's what he will get. The last place in the division comment by surfer was stupid. From what I remember, we swept the heels pathetic division in a decisive manner with savage beatings of Duke, UNC and Miami, and finished tied for second in our division. Sure, that was last, but it was one game away from first as well. I believe it was the same conference record as UNC in a much more difficult division.
Huh
Mon, 05/18/2009 - 12:38 — SurferIf it was stupid, why did you validate within your post? The record is what it is. Savage beatings? You beat Duke and Miami by 10, and beat UNC pretty badly, I think, but I am not sure if I remember the score. One win away from first? Only if it was BC. Which Division will be stronger this year? Let's see, last place in Atlantic Division is picked to be first this year. Now, granted State's four game run at the end of the season was impressive and RW was great at QB, which is why there is so much optimism at NCSU. Which is why there is less pressure on Sid, the point of my post.
Record-wise for SLowe, ......
Fri, 05/15/2009 - 10:45 — caldwellheel...what record or ACC finish will allow him to beat off the wolves and retain his job for another year? Also, is it true that Painter said that he would only enroll at NCSC if SLowe stopped that whistlin' on the sidelines like as if his players are dogs???? I don't blame him one bit.
Just a guess
Fri, 05/15/2009 - 12:55 — SurferI would venture that anything around .500 and even last place and Sid stays around for at least 2 more years. Too much, no strike that, so much more attention on the football program yeilds less pressure on Sid. It really seems like a mindset based on potential. I mean, look at TOB, they were less than .500 and last place in the Division, yet he is the "answer to all" and they are picked to finish first. In actuality, now that I think about it, perhaps it is related more to the competition?
Good question
Fri, 05/15/2009 - 12:48 — JPDOhioI think State fans will be more patient with a team that is young and improving as compared to, say, last year, where they got inconsistent results with experienced seniors and an underachieving 4th year Junior.
I am pretty excited about next year's team (assuming Painter qualifies), but I do expect some bumps in the road as they gain experience.
Grades are still a major obstacle.......
Fri, 05/15/2009 - 10:10 — caldwellheelPer the ACC Sports Journal, for which Telep writes, Painter will have to improve his grades in order to gain college entrance.
Oh well. At least he is not a Washburn and has a chance to get in.
Young but promising
Fri, 05/15/2009 - 09:21 — JPDOhioNice way to close out the recruiting year. The Pack will be very young, so they might struggle a little. But I don't see any one-and-dones in the group, so the future just got brighter.
An excellent pickup by the
Thu, 05/14/2009 - 16:09 — JamesinWillowSpringsAn excellent pickup by the Pack at an area of immediate need.
Nice
Thu, 05/14/2009 - 12:12 — SurferWay to go Sid, may this extend your stay.
good job sidney
Thu, 05/14/2009 - 11:31 — izzykareemwelcome deshawn