The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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■ BASKETBALL RECRUITING offers. I have other people involved with me, like SEC schools Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Alabama. Memphis and Ten- nessee, too." NC State offered Kingsley following the NBPA Camp, where he averaged 6.6 points and 4.2 rebounds in roughly 24 minutes of action June 14-16. "It was great to get offered," Kingsley said. "It just felt good. The ACC is a good conference and very competitive. It will help me try to get where I want to in life." Rivals.com ranks Kingsley, who is com- ing off a strong junior year at New Al- bany High in Mississippi, No. 78 in the country. The trio of Louisville, Florida and NC State have targeted him throughout the spring, and he believes they have some common traits. "They play their bigs and are about their bigs," said Kingsley, who arrived from Nigeria two years ago. "They are a good school and a good coaching staff, and are good academic schools, which is the most important thing. "[Florida] Coach [Billy] Donovan is a winning coach and a good coach. Coach Gottfried is a good coach and knows how to play his bigs and develop players. He is a good coach, too. "Coach [Rick] Pitino [of Louisville] wished me luck before the games. After the games, they'll say, 'Good game.' I would say those schools are my leaders until I get more offers." Kyle Washington Impresses NCSU Coaches Power Forward Senior power forward Kyle Washington had drawn scholarship offers from across the country, but narrowed his list to 11 schools to start off August. NC State hasn't been recruiting Wash- ington too long, but the Wolfpack were impressed enough with his inside-outside capabilities and shot-blocking presence to offer him a scholarship in mid-July. The 6-7½, 211-pounder with the wing- span of 6-11½ added NC State to his list, which currently includes Baylor, Illinois, Iowa State, Louisville, Marquette, Minne- sota, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Washington and Wisconsin. "NC State is definitely on my list, and I'm excited about what Coach [Mark] Gott- fried is talking about," Washington said. "I know a lot about the new recruits — T.J. Warren, Rodney Purvis and Tyler Lewis. They had a surprisingly good year last with C.J. Leslie and Richard Howell. "With Coach Gottfried's intensity and how he likes to coach, I think it rubbed off Rivals.com ranks Washington, a Minnesota native who will attend Wolfeboro (N.H.) Brew- ster Academy this year, as the No. 120 overall prospect in the country. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM on the players. They are definitely moving in the right direction, which attracts me to them." The Rivals.com No. 120-ranked overall prospect also likes that playing time could be wide open inside at NC State next year with Howell a senior this year, and Leslie an early entrant candidate for the NBA. "That's a big deal because with some of my goals, that will definitely help," Wash- ington said. "I want to come in ready and prepared. To be able to jump into the ACC competition, that would be big. "The coaches are telling there is a chance to come in and play. You have To- bacco Road, and that has a lot of history. NC State has a lot of history. They like the way I play, and the ACC fits how I play." Washington said he noticed Gottfried and assistant coach Orlando Early at the Nike Global Challenge July 12-15 in Wash- ington, D.C. "Coach Early called me first, and then Coach Gottfried called me and offered me a scholarship," Washington said. "I was just happy for it." The Champlin, Minn., standout has un- officially visited Minnesota, Wisconsin, Marquette and Notre Dame. He's in the process of setting up his official visits, and starts at his new school, Wolfeboro (N.H.) Brewster Academy, on Sept. 8. Warren at- tended Brewster last year. Washington attended St. Louis Park (Minn.) Benilde-St. Margaret's before leav- ing for Lakeville (Conn.) Hotchkiss School last year and reclassing to 2013. The added year has helped Washington get stronger physically and gain more confidence in his abilities. ■ plus videos of Wolfpack commitments and targets visit TheWolfpacker.com. For regular reports on NC State basketball recruiting www.EndurantColor.com Unique, Stabilized Soil Oxygenator Superior Moisture Management Complete Foliar Fertility Solutions Proudly NCSU alumni owned. GO PACK! www.EarthChemistries.com SEPTEMBER 2012 ■ 85 Harness the Power of Nature! Slow-release, Organic Nutritional + Aminos The company that turned the Turfgrass Industry on its ear inside of a season is only getting started... ENDURANT ORGANIC COLORANTS ™ ™ Turf & Sand Pigments • Designer Mulch Colorants • Black Pond Dye • Pine Straw Refresher Make a Lasting Impression