Signing Day News and Notes
We all know the guys who have committed already and who is signing those national letter of intent papers within the next week or so. Here is a inside look at some of the other players that are either not signing early or are still going through the recruiting process.
The biggest name in North Carolina that has not signed or committed is 6’8 F Jairus Hamilton of Cannon School outside of Charlotte, North Carolina. The athletic forward has taken official visits to Maryland and Mississippi State over the last month. This may end up being a wait it out scenario for Hamilton and see how starts to get hot on him towards the spring signing period. North Carolina was considered the favorite a few months ago but the Tar Heels have focused their attention elsewhere. I could see a visit to NC State coming up for Hamilton in the next few weeks. This would be a huge get for Kevin Keatts and the Wolfpack staff to keep another Carolina bred player at home for his college career.
One of the best players in Fayetteville since Dennis Smith Jr, Malik Johnson of Terry Sanford High School has picked up offers from VCU, Rhode Island and Western Carolina University over the summer. The point guard is a big-time playmaker who can run the show from day one. At this point it would seem likely that his best chance at playing right away would be at VCU or Western Carolina with their point guard position being the least deep. I expect some other schools to get involved with the talented point guard over the next few months and a decision from Johnson sometime this spring. Johnson helped lead Terry Sanford to a 16-12 record last season and runner-up finish in 2016 in the NCHSAA 4-A division.