Dave Telep's Carolina Challenge

THE BASKETBALL BLOG
By Brian Mull
The Wilmington Star-News
March 24, 2007

Dave Telep, national recruiting analyst and Wake Forest resident, held a one-day camp today for the top 80 players in North Carolina. The event, the Carolina Challenge, was held at Cary Academy. The players were divided into eight 10-man teams, each named after a recent N.C. prep star. (Cedric Simmons, Chris Paul, Josh Howard, et. al). Each team played three games.

Ty Walker and David Pellom of state champion New Hanover participated.

There were some players there on UNCW's recruiting radar for the class of 2008 and some that I think could be. These are my observations and other thoughts gathered from the half-dozen recruiting gurus on hand (who have seen these guys play many more times than I have). Right now the Seahawks have five scholarships available in the class of 2008.

Andre Cornelius 5-10, 170 PG Charlotte (Victory Christian) - Maybe the best guard in the six games I watched. Quick first step, strong driver who can reach the rim and finish. Streaky 3-point shooter. True point guard, think Ray Felton. Lack of height might scare away ACC types.

Tyler McDaniels 6-8, 205 PF Jacksonville (Northside) - McDaniels has made unofficial visits to UNCW, coming by for practices and a game or two. He prefers to play on the perimeter, possesses a smooth stroke and has a high basketball IQ - his dad Benji Taylor is an assistant at Tulane. Not the strongest finisher in traffic. He told me his list includes UNCW, VCU and N.C. State, but it's just a rough draft.

Tavares Speaks 6-4, 175 SG Morrisville (Green Hope) - Explosive, raw athlete. Quiet in first game, but exploded for about five dunks in a short span of second game. Needs to work on his ballhandling to play the 2-guard, which is where the scouts think he fits. CAA-level recruit. Good friends with McDaniels.

Eladio Espinosa 6-7, 210 PF Charlotte (Victory Christian) - Wow. Attacks the glass with a vengeance. Strong, good motor, maintained high level of energy throughout the long day of games and seminars. Long and athletic, reminiscent of UNCW signee Dominique Lacy, but more of a power player at this point.

Damier Pitts 5-11, 155 PG Charlotte (Charlotte Christian) - Quick, good passer, made good decisions in the lane. Looked for his shot and knocked a few down from the 3-point line as well as soft floater, a la Eric Maynor, in the lane.

Marcus Wright 5-11, 165 PG Winston-Salem (W-S Prep) - Played out of control early. Looked to shoot first and ask questions later. Not as good as Cornelius, but a similar player. Caught fire from 3-point land in the last game, showing deep range.

Hunter McClintock 6-2, 170 SG/PG Burlington (Williams) - Runs the floor really well. Lefty. Pretty thin, would need to add 10-20 pounds before he could compete in CAA. Nose for the ball and good handler.

Kenny Gabriel 6-8, 190 PF Kings Mountain (Hope Christian) - This Charlotte-area school must have had a heckuva team. He's one of three talented players from there. He likes to shoot the 3-pointer and runs the floor extremely well. Similar to McDaniels, but mixes it up inside a little more.

Anyway, there you go. Take it for what its worth. Dave Telep and those guys work hard and evaluate thousands of players, I don't pretend to be them, but certainly appreciate their insight and opinions. Just trying to give you an idea of the in-state players the Seahawks could be interested in. No doubt that the final couple of spots in this year's class are important as is the class of 2008. By the time that class signs, the program will be filled only with players Benny Moss recruited.