Carter joins impressive Hawks class

5-foot-11 point guard Jawan Carter from Tatnall School in Wilmington, Del., called Phil Martelli, the coach of the St. Joseph's Hawks on Sunday evening and gave him some great news. Carter told the coach that he was heading for Hawk Hill and would be the latest addition to another great backcourt class at St. Joseph's. Rivals.com spoke to Carter today about his decision.

"I gave St. Joe's my verbal commitment last night," Carter said. "I picked them over Connecticut, Villanova, Clemson, and Florida State."

Carter said that he picked the Hawks because he thought it was a great fit. "Socially, academically, and athletically I thought it was the right place for me," he said. "I love the University and the coaching staff, and I can't wait to get there."

Carter is a prolific scorer in high school, averaging over 28 points per game this past season, but he will be counted upon to run the show for St. Joseph's in 2006.

"They want me to play the point guard," Carter said. "Darrin Govens and I can both do things with the ball in our hands. We'll interchange between the backcourt spots, but they said I'd mainly be at the point."

He had a great visit to St. Joseph's a couple of weeks ago before attending the Bob Gibbons Tournament of Champions with the Playaz Basketball Club.

"I really enjoyed my visit there," Carter said. "I got to work out with the college guys, and Jameer Nelson was on campus. It was my first official visit, and I really had a good time."

He cancelled tentative visits to Villanova and Connecticut prior to announcing for St. Joseph's.

Carter has been inconsistent this spring, starting with Duane Coverdale's Delaware Sharpshooters, and then joining Jim Salmons' Playaz at the end of April. He played well at the Tournament of Champions, providing steady ballhandling during the Playaz run to the semi-finals.

He is an outstanding student who's already qualified for freshman elligibility.

With Govens and Carter in the fold, and a commitment on the way from Neumann-Gorretti guard Derrick Rivera, the Hawks' deep tournament run in 2004 is starting to pay big dividends on the recruiting trail. Look for them to try to add some size to round out this class in the coming months.