The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/554771
84 ■ THE WOLFPACKER ■ BASKETBALL RECRUITING 20-point outburst against the Arkansas Wings July 9. Painter narrowed his list Aug. 3, and NC State was among his final seven schools. The Wolfpack joined Villanova, Penn State, George Washington, Xavier, St. Joseph's and Rhode Island. "They said they really liked how I played at Peach Jam and wanted to offer me a schol- arship," said Painter, 17. Painter will do his due diligence in learn- ing about the NC State program, which has gone to the NCAA Tournament the last four years and reached the Sweet 16 twice. "They are in the ACC, and that is the best basketball conference in the country," Painter said. Painter watched NC State upset Villanova to earn a spot the Sweet 16 this past March. "I wanted Villanova to win, but it's cool to see upsets in the tournament since that is what makes it fun," he said. "It was a good game. I've always watched Villanova grow- ing up, so an offer from them is a big deal." Painter averaged 9.5 points and 5.1 re- bounds in 17 Nike Elite Youth Basketball Games this spring and summer, and shot 53.4 percent from the field and 69.4 percent at the free throw line. "The NC State coaches said they like to use forwards that space things out, and they saw that I can shoot a little bit," Painter said. "They said they really want me and like me. They'll be explaining more later." Painter said he has 28 scholarship offers, and already has officially visited Xavier (June 19-21) and Iowa (June 26-28), leav- ing him three official visits remaining. The Hawkeyes weren't part of his final seven colleges. Painter hopes to major in engineering or physical therapy, but isn't sure yet. "I want a place where I have a good rela- tionship with the coaching staff," said Painter, who is considering majoring in engineering of physical therapy. "I want to be used in the offense to good advantage, going inside and out. I don't want to go somewhere where I just set screens and rebound. "I want a good relationship with the play- ers, somewhere I can see myself and a good campus." Painter hopes to carry over his momentum from the summer to the high school season. Last year, he averaged 17.8 points, 11.1 re- bounds and 3.6 blocks per game for a 14-10 Hershey squad. "I definitely want to get stronger, quicker and faster, and do footwork and agility things," Painter said. "I want to work on my overall skill, like ball handling." ■ 106 V East Railroad Ave. - Gibsonville, NC 27249 336-449-9627 • email: info@hardwoodstore.com WWW.HARDWOODSTORE.COM For regular reports on NC State basketball recruiting plus videos of Wolfpack commitments and targets visit TheWolfpacker.com.