Recruiting Report: Zac Ervin (2019)

Some scouts and coaches talk about playing in a smaller market and playing against lesser competition as a bad thing, but the fact is there are hoopers everywhere, and if you produce you will be found. For example, the small town of Gate City, on the border of Tennessee and Virginia, has two players in 2018 Mac McClung and 2019 Zac Ervin who are being recruited heavily by division one schools. While McClung has become a viral sensation, Ervin has just as bright of a future, and he's a hometown hero as well. Ervin's father was a local high school coach that won over 500 games in his career. Following the family legacy, Ervin has already scored over 1,000 points in his short career, including a game of 65 points last year, and the entire town of Gate City is behind him in his pursuit to become one of the greatest players in high school history. “It's great, you really can't ask for much more,” Ervin said about the support from his hometown. “The atmosphere is great at Gate City, all the fans love it and they come out to every game and show their support, so I'm really appreciative of Gate City and where I'm from.” While Ervin plays at a smaller high school, he gets all of the exposure he needs in AAU ball. Playing with Team Loaded Virginia the past two years, he's been on championship teams that play against high level competition in front of coaches from all over the country. “I thank Team Loaded for everything in my recruitment. They do a great job getting me seen and allowing me to showcase my talents at the highest level,” he said. Heading into the last live period of the summer, Ervin already holds five division one offers from Marshall, Central Arkansas, Duquesne, ETSU and JMU. The offers are likely to increase throughout his junior season, as he's seen varying interest from programs that include Middle Tennessee State, Delaware, College of Charleston, Tennessee, ODU and more. Ervin is part of the most talented 2A duo in the state. Being the competitor that he is, Ervin says he wants to play at the highest level all the time, but he understands that it's all about fit when making his decision. “I'm just looking for a really good fit, and somebody who's going to let me be me essentially. Somewhere that will let me shoot the ball, let me score and I can help win.” When asked why coaches should recruit him, his answer sounded like the perfect answer for a job interview. “I play hard every game and every possession, and I work just as hard outside of the game. I'm in the gym every day, usually at least two times a day, and I just like to put in work. I also take academics very seriously, I have a 4.0 GPA, and if you recruit me I'm going to work everyday to be a good student and a good basketball player.” With his work ethic, ability to shoot it from deep and high academics, expect Ervin to see his recruitment blow up over the next couple of seasons, and possibly be in the running to break some VHSL records as well.