2007 Prospect Lands ACC Offer, Interest

He is just starting driver’s education and unlike the rest of his classmates, Eric Wallace, a 6-foot-5, 190-pound wing from Glenn High School in Kernersville, N.C., has a scholarship offer from an ACC school and an elite program knocking on the door. The class of 2007 prospect will be one of the most watched players in his class come July.

Wallace, one of the top players in the rising sophomore class, has the body and look of a high major player. Wake Forest and North Carolina sent assistant coaches to his first varsity game. He’s been busy this summer trying to improve even more. Wallace figured he’d start at the top and that’s why he went to Ohio and worked out with NBA superstar LeBron James.

“It went good. I got him a couple of times and everyone knows he got me back, too,” Wallace joked. “It was really good to play with him. It was big. I felt pretty special.”

After making the trip north, he went straight to North Carolina State for a team camp. He performed well enough to go home with the complimentary tee shirt and his first scholarship offer.

“That was the first time they really saw him play,” Brian Clifton, Wallace’s AAU coach said. “They told him in every way possible that they wanted him.”

Last week, Wallace was on the campus of another in-state ACC program. He and his high school coach Lee Reavis went to the University of North Carolina. While on the unofficial visit, Wallace received good feedback from the elite program, he said.

“We went up there and they had a camp going on. I met Antawn Jamison, who was there for the camp and I met all of the coaches. I saw the campus, too,” Wallace said. “Coach (Joe) Holladay asked me if I was a Carolina fan and I said I was. Then he asked me if I wanted to be a Carolina fan for the rest of my life.”

While a scholarship offer wasn’t officially extended, the Tar Heels have made it clear to the youngster that they are extremely interested. Wallace is too. He was at Late Night with Roy Williams - UNC’s version of Midnight Madness.

Wallace said Maryland, Michigan State and Wake Forest have also been involved. The youngster is playing in the Reebok Camp Next in New Jersey this weekend and he’ll join up with his D-One Sports AAU team for the busy July evaluation period.