Faison emerging out of S.C.

Geographically, South Carolina isn't a big state but when it comes to producing basketball prospects, you can always expect to see a number of Division I players from the Palmetto State. Some are big timers like Raymond Felton and Jermaine O'Neal and then there are sleepers like Byron Faison, a 6-foot-2, 180-pound combo guard from Crestwood High School in Sumter.

While his name isn't known on the national scene, yet, he's showing off a skill set that has caught the attention of a couple of schools.

Faison is a confident scorer beyond the three-point line and he's good for at least three trifectas a game. But shooting isn't his sole strength. He can get to the bucket and finish around the rim and thrives in the open floor. Blessed with long arms and a quick first step, the class of 2006 prospect said he's often times been compared to his favorite NBA player Dwyane Wade.

"I try to pattern my game after him expect I don't have a Shaquille O'Neal inside," Faison said. "He's a guy that likes to have the ball in his hands in crunch time and I feel like I'm the same way."

Even without an O'Neal, Faison is averaging 20 points and eight assists per game. His recruitment is starting to pick up some steam.

"I get letters just about every day from different schools," Faison said.

Some of those schools include Kentucky, South Carolina, Stanford and Temple. Faison said coaches from Clemson, South Carolina and Wake Forest have been out to see him this season. There may have been more, he says.

"Honestly, I don't really look around in the game. I just hear that a school was there to see me from my coach or my dad," Faison said. "If you let (the recruiting process) get to you, you don't play well. That's why I just try to worry about playing first and then worry about who's watching later."

The three-year varsity starter is also a full-qualifier in the classroom and maintains a 3.8 grade point average.