Published Nov 4, 2001
Jackets Also Bringing in an Excellent Class
Thad Mumau
Publisher
Burning from the flames of Duke's recruiting afterburners while tossing and turning with nightmares of the Tar Heels coming up "short" in their own efforts, Carolina fans should not forget there are other Atlantic Coast Conference programs that are adding loads of talent.
Georgia Tech, Wake Forest and Maryland, to be specific. This week, we look at Tech. Paul Hewitt is complementing his first recruiting class (ranked No. 8 in the country by Prepstars.com) with a trio of future Yellow Jackets capable of really stinging the rest of the league. Last year's haul included athletic perimeter players Anthony Vasser, Barry Elder and Ismail Muhammad, along with 6-8 Ed Nelson.
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Hewitt has followed up with an even more impressive group. He has commitments from No. 16 senior Chris Bosh, No. 26 Jarrett Jack and No. 110 Theodis Tarver.
Here is the scouting report on them from Brick Oettinger of Prepstars.com:
Bosh, 6-10, power forward/center, Dallas (Texas) Lincoln: "This athletic left-hander is still very thin at 205 pounds, but is starting to fill out some and get stronger. Has quick reactions, catches tough passes, and his touch is soft on high-arching jump shots to 17 feet and on smooth jump hooks. Particularly against defenders, he misses too many easy shots. With added strength, he should finish better. Runs the court swiftly with long strides, and he skies to dunk rebounds and block shots. Nearly always drives to his left on post moves. He has an enormous upside. High big-time prospect."
Bosh averaged 18.1 points, 10.6 rebounds and nearly five blocked shots as a junior.
Jack, 6-3 point guard/wing guard, Worcester (MA) Academy: "Baltimore native is a muscular 190-pounder who uses his strength and deceptively quick first step on slithery moves to the hoop. Draws a lot of free throws. Consistently gets the ball to the open man off the dribble. Sometimes is out of control, but most of the time he makes good decisions. Moves intelligently without the ball and proved this summer to doubters than he can knock in three-pointers when defenders back off to stop his penetration. Good competitor is a high big-time prospect."
Jack averaged 33 points, seven assists and five rebounds per game his junior season at Durham (NC) Mount Zion Christian Academy.
Tarver, 6-9 center/power forward, Monroe (LA) Carroll. "Lanky 210-pound athlete obviously needs more strength and bulk, and his high-elevation turnaround jump shot to 14 feet is neither pretty nor reliable. But he runs well, drives aggressively from the high or low post and is potentially a genuinely deluxe rebounder and rejector. As a bonus, he can pass the ball cleverly and skillfully. High-major prospect."
Tarver averaged 18.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 4.9 blocked shots as a junior.
Hewitt has really put the pieces in place for his full-court, run-and-press style of basketball. Jack will replace point guard Tony Akins, who is a senior. Bosh will almost surely also start right away, adding athleticism inside to go with the strong Nelson. Tarver will provide back-up help at the four and five spots.
This is an outstanding Georgia Tech class, one that again will earn a high ranking nationally.