The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1043000
122 ■ THE WOLFPACKER BY JACEY ZEMBAL N C State landed its first recruit for the class of 2019 on Oct. 2 with the ver- bal commitment of five-star senior point guard Jalen Lecque of Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, N.H. The athletic 6-4, 180-pound Lecque had officially visited NC State and Ten- nessee during back-to-back weekends in mid-September, and then shut down his recruitment. He had also listed Louisville, Oregon, Texas Christian, Texas Tech and UCLA. The fall national signing period is Nov. 14-21, and the Wolfpack still has one scholarship remaining. "I'm relieved to have it done," Lecque told Rivals.com. "I've been working so hard that I feel it is the right time. I should be in a position to be a star, and they are going to put me in a position to do that at NC State. "I don't think it was any real secret that I liked NC State. I feel real comfortable with [NCSU] Coach [Kevin] Keatts, and he really made me feel wanted and needed." The addition of Lecque to what would be a senior Markell Johnson at the point guard spot would give NCSU as athletic a duo as any in the country. Add in what would be juniors Braxton Beverly and Blake Harris and the Wolfpack would have four options at the all-important position. "It might be ideal for Jalen to not have the pressure of being the primary point guard 25-30 minutes a night right off the bat as a freshman," Rivals.com recruit- ing analyst Eric Bossi said. "There will be some time where he can play off the ball as a combo guard, which will do him well in developing because you won't have to do too much too soon. "With two guys like that [Lecque and Johnson], Keatts could ramp up the pres- sure and start pressing more, and play faster. There will be some highlights." ■ BASKETBALL RECRUITING NC State Lands Five-Star Point Guard Jalen Lecque Rivals.com rates Lecque as the No. 6 point guard and No. 28 overall player in the country. PHOTO BY JON LOPEZ/COURTESY RIVALS.COM "I'd say it is in the Dennis Smith stratosphere for sure. He is just super explosive off of one foot or two feet. He doesn't need an open court because he can elevate in traffic. He is pretty quick laterally. You can make an argu- ment he is the most athletic guard in the class of 2019." ■ Rivals.com recruiting analyst Eric Bossi on Lecque