The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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■ basketball recruiting Black said. "When I narrow my list down, then I'll know. Indiana, Illinois, Florida, UConn and probably Ohio State are recruiting me the hardest. I'm just open right now. "If I'm ready and it is in God's will to sign in November, then I will. If I haven't picked the right school yet, then I'll wait." Jakeenan Gant Likely To Remain in Southeast Region For College Gant, a 6-6, 195-pounder from the Peach State who is ranked No. 44 overall in the land according to Rivals.com, said he is getting recruited the hardest by Georgia, Florida, NC State, Alabama, Georgia Tech, Miami and Florida State. photo courtesy rivals.com ida, UConn, Georgia Tech, Louisville, UCLA and Arizona. He has been communicating with both NCSU head coach Mark Gottfried and Early. "I like NC State and their style of play a lot," Black said. "I like how they run, and I like to run. That's the style I like to play. I text Coach Gottfried, and I talk to Coach Early a lot." Black said he plans to wait until the fall to take some or all of his five official visits, but left the door open to wait until the April signing period to make a college choice. "I don't know who I'm going to go visit," Senior power forward Jakeenan Gant has been battling an ankle injury the last few months — which cut short his ability to participate in the NBPA Camp and two Nike Elite Youth Basketball League events — but it hasn't slowed down his recruitment. The 6-6, 195-pound Gant is ranked No. 44 overall in the country in the class of 2014, and has offers from at least 14 colleges, including NC State. The Wolfpack offered Gant during the April evaluation period and have stayed in contact with him. "I've heard from them a little bit," Gant said. "We talk every now and then, and they'll send me a text. Coach Early is just trying to get to know me better and said if I have any questions, I can just ask them. "The schools recruiting the hardest are Georgia, Florida, NC State, Alabama, Georgia Tech, Miami and Florida State. I just want a coach that will develop me, and stay there and not leave for another job. I want a commitment basically." The Springfield (Ga.) Effingham County standout did squeeze in an unofficial visit to Alabama June 29. The Wolfpacker Mobile Providing you the best coverage of NC State Football, Basketball, Recruiting and Sports – on the go! TheWolfpacker.com is now available as a mobile app for iOS and Android! Members of TheWolfpacker.com can login to view premium stories and chat with their friends on the message boards. Download it today for stats, schedules, rosters, and recruiting profiles – everywhere you go! Headlines • Videos • Stats Recruiting News • Message Boards Rosters • Schedules • And More! For more information, call 1-800-421-7751 Gant's ability to play inside and knock down jumpers from the high post is what has made him an attractive forward recruit. His summer team, Southern Stampede, went 7-11, with Gant healthy for nine of the contests, in Nike Elite Youth Basketball League competition. He averaged 15.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game, and shot 57.1 percent from the field and 73.9 from the free throw line. "I play hard, and I run the court. I just like to get up and down," Gant said. "I think I did all right this spring in the two tournaments I played in. I ran the court well and was playing my best basketball. I was doing what I can." Abdul-Malik Abu Becoming Popular Power Forward Target Senior power forward Abdul-Malik Abu is enjoying the ride of being one of the top high school basketball players in his class. In his first year playing in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League, Abu averaged 14.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game for 13-5 Expressions Elite. He shot an impressive 53.1 percent from the field and even knocked in 10 of 23 from three-point land. The 6-7, 232-pound Abu of Meriden (N.H.) Kimball Union Academy then averaged 9.0 points and 3.2 rebounds with a high of 11 points (twice) at the NBPA Camp June 12-15 at the University of Virginia. He entered the camp tabbed No. 50 overall nationally in the class of 2014 by Rivals.com, and remained in that slot when the rankings were updated in late June. "The camp was fun, and I just tried to be unselfish," Abu said. "I wanted to lead my team on defense. When the coaches and my teammates needed me to score and be more aggressive offensively, that's something I can definitely do." NC State offered Abu following the April evaluation period. He lists at least 19 scholarship offers and added that the ACC schools are coming at him the hardest. Abu has offers from NC State, Boston College, Florida State, Miami and Notre Dame. Florida and Iowa State are also recruiting him. "NC State is coming at me pretty hard, and I've talked to the head coach many times," he said. "It's always good to talk to the head coach. You deal a lot with assistant coaches early in your career, but as of now — most, if not all — of the offers I've had are officially said by the head coach. That is a good feeling." Abu will likely narrow his list down to a manageable number in the fall before embarking on his official visits. He has 150 ■ the wolfpacker 148-151.BKB Recruiting.indd 150 7/2/13 10:01 AM