Mark Gottfried has certainly earned his paycheck thus far in his NC State tenure.
With Rodney Purvis and Tyler Lewis, who currently sit at 11th and 58th, respectively, in the Consensus Recruiting Rankings, already committed to join the Wolfpack in 2012, Gottfried landed a player he absolutely had to get on Wednesday.
TJ Warren, a high-scoring small forward that is currently rated 22nd, picked NC State over Georgetown.
“When I was growing up I went to a lot of games when Herb Sendek was the coach and Julius Hodge was there,” said Warren. “I’ve always been a State fan.”
He should be. Warren grew up 20 minutes from the campus. His father played for the Wolfpack. Before he blew up on the AAU circuit this spring and summer, before he was being recruited by the Kentucky and the North Carolinas, Warren loved NC State. If Gottfried is going to have success with the Wolfpack, those are the players he has to make sure he gets.
There’s more. Purvis and Lewis? They’re both North Carolina natives as well. And along with Warren, they form what will likely be the best perimeter of any recruiting class in 2012. Lewis is one of the most entertaining point guards in the country to watch thanks to his slick handle and terrific passing ability. Purvis is a combo-guard known for his ability to attack the basket. And Warren is one, if not the best all-around wing scorer in the class.
If Gottfriend wants to have success in the Triangle, he has to keep compete with UNC and Duke for in-state talent, especially the kids from the Raleigh area.
So far, he’s doing just that.
Rob Dauster is the editor of the college basketball website Ballin’ is a Habit. You can find him on twitter @ballinisahabit.
