The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/759726
92 ■ THE WOLFPACKER BY JACEY ZEMBAL C harlotte Providence Day junior point guard Devon Dotson always feels he has something to prove, and that competi‑ tive edge helps set him apart. In a highly anticipated game, Dotson played against UNC junior point guard commit Coby White of Wilson (N.C.) Greenfield School Nov. 12 in Greensboro, N.C. Dotson won the matchup and helped Providence Day win the game 65‑57. His quick hands and anticipation proved too much defensively against White, and he outscored him 21‑11. "It's always good when you can show‑ case against a player as good as him," Dot‑ son said. "I still needed to come out and play team ball and get the win." Dotson especially was pleased with how well he delivered on the defensive end against White. "He is labeled as a scorer, and that is what he likes to do," Dotson said. "It didn't happen tonight. I pride myself on defense and love playing it." Rivals.com ranks the 6‑1, 170‑pound Dotson as the No. 35 overall prospect in the class of 2018. Dotson is a pure point guard, but he's also clearly showing that he can score. "I've been working on my all‑around game and my outside shot," he said. "I have to bring it every possession. I have to be more of a leader." Dotson attended a pair of football games this fall, checking out Clemson and Ten‑ nessee. He also worked in an unofficial visit to NC State at the end of the summer. The Wolfpack had offered him in mid‑ February. "It was a good visit, and I talked to the coaches," Dotson said. "They seem to be moving in the right direction, picking up Dennis [Smith]. I liked it." NC State signed combo guard Thomas Allen of Wolfeboro (N.H.) Brewster Acad‑ emy in the class of 2017 and is hoping to land unsigned senior wing Charles O'Bannon Jr. of Las Vegas Bishop Gorman this spring. The Wolfpack recruiting board for the class of 2017 will go through altera‑ tions over the next few months, but Dotson will be a top priority in 2018. NCSU assistant coach Butch Pierre watched Dotson play at the Phenom Hoops National Showcase at Greensboro, N.C., in November. Dotson has also been communi‑ cating with assistant coach Orlando Early. "Coach Early has been telling me how I could be the next great point guard that comes to NC State," Dotson said. "He wants me to lead the team in the right direction. He said I could impact things early." The Team Charlotte traveling team standout has earned 21 offers, and NC State, Wake Forest, Villanova, Ten‑ nessee, Georgetown, Clemson, Florida and Connecticut all watched him work out this fall. "I want to prove that I can compete every possession," Dotson said. "I'm trying to get a win every time." Junior Center David McCormack Moves To Oak Hill Academy Four‑star junior center David McCor‑ mack is adjusting to a different basketball scene and living situation this season. McCormack made the move from Nor‑ folk (Va.) Academy to Mouth of Wilson (Va.) Oak Hill Academy, where he is splitting time with senior center Kenneth Nwuba. The 6‑10, 275‑pound McCormack, a traditional low‑post performer, is ranked No. 58 overall in the country in the class of 2018 by Rivals.com. NC State was one of the first colleges to take notice and offered him on June 27, 2015, but the Wolfpack have had plenty of company since. Pierre was able to watch McCormack in the November event at the Greensboro, N.C., and Early has been the point man in his recruitment. "I haven't been in contact a lot with them recently, but it's also hard to get in con‑ tact with Oak Hill being in the middle of nowhere," McCormack joked. "It's com‑ pletely different from Norfolk. I've gone from a city to rolling hills." McCormack has unofficially visited NC State a few times the last two years, including going to the Wolfpack's team camp in late June. "That was a great experience to see Coach [Mark] Gottfried again, and I got to see a couple of former Team Loaded play‑ ers like Dennis Smith and Shaun Kirk," McCormack said. "It was nice to get back on campus and see the facilities again." Twenty‑one colleges have offered Mc‑ Cormack a scholarship, and any schools still on the fence, won't have to work hard to further evaluate him. Oak Hill Academy ■ BASKETBALL RECRUITING Class Of 2018 Targets Are Emerging Rivals.com ranks guard Devon Dotson of Charlotte Providence Day as the No. 35 junior in the country. PHOTO BY JACEY ZEMBAL