The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/759726
94 ■ THE WOLFPACKER ■ BASKETBALL RECRUITING will be on ESPN or ESPN2 Dec. 15, and on ESPNU Jan. 16. The DICK's Sporting Goods High School National Tournament potentially awaits at the end of the season for the Warriors, which is aired on the vari- ous ESPN channels. McCormack said college coaches have told him the move to Oak Hill was the right one. "I've seen a big step up in all of my re- cruitment because they knew it was a better move for me, as far developing my game and how I play," McCormack said. Georgetown, Penn State, Duke and Texas swung by Oak Hill to watch Mc- Cormack and his uncommitted teammates. McCormack also has found the time for a return unofficial visit to Maryland. "It's definitely been a big step forward in my progress," McCormack said. "Playing at Norfolk, there wasn't much competition as far as size. Going against [Kansas senior signee] Billy [Preston] has helped me as far as my footwork because of the player he is. He can move on the wing and is a bigger guy. Playing against Kenny [Nwuba], he's big and a powerful explosive type of big." McCormack split time last summer on Team Loaded VA with eventual Clemson power forward signee Aamir Simms and Georgetown power forward signee Antwan Walker. McCormack ended his summer averaging 7.6 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. McCormack figures he's lost 15-20 pounds since the July evaluation period. "I've definitely improved my stamina and movement on the court," McCormack said. "I'm guarding ball screens, and I can defend some wings. I've worked on my footwork, and I've extended my range." Jairus Hamilton Plays Inside-Outside Game Concord (N.C.) Cannon School junior small forward Jairus Hamilton has put bas- ketball recruiting on the back-burner, but that hasn't slowed coaches from coming to watch him play. Rivals.com ranks Hamilton as the No. 43 overall player in the country in the class of 2018. Louisville is his most recent of his 17 scholarship offers, a collection that includes NC State. The 6-7, 221-pound Hamilton said he's gotten attention from Wake Forest, North Carolina, Arizona, Kansas, California and Virginia Tech, and he thinks Duke will enter the fray. NC State, Kansas, California, Arizona, Wake Forest and Virginia Tech all stopped by for fall workouts at the Cannon School. "Everybody is coming in, and everybody is texting me," Hamilton said. "They are trying to get to know me and build a rela- tionship. They really want me a lot and see me being one of the top people coming in. That's just a blessing that I have, and I'm just taking it in right now." Hamilton has a general idea of what he's looking for in a college. "I just want a place that is the best fit for me, academically first and then for play- ing," Hamilton said. "I really want to go in and be a main part of their team." Hamilton's older brother, Jared Hamil- ton, is redshirting this season at Georgia The switch from Norfolk (Va.) Academy to traditional national power Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Va., is paying off for junior center David McCormack. PHOTO BY JACEY ZEMBAL