Jamie Skeen commits to Wake Forest

One of the most talented combo forwards in the Class of 2006, 6-foot-8 Jamie Skeen, Huntersville, N.C., made a verbal commitment this past weekend to Coach Skip Prosser's Wake Forest basketball program. For details click to Rivals.com Ultimate Ticket.

The Wake Forest Demon Deacons have made a habit of getting early commitments from the top prospects in the state of North Carolina. And, once again, Coach Skip Prosser and his staff got the jump on all their in-state rivals by being the first major program to offer a scholarship to 6-foot-8, 215-pound power/wing forward Jamie Skeen, Huntersville, N.C., North Mecklenburg High School, last year when he was a sophomore.

"The Wake Forest coaching staff did a great job, and started recruiting him the earliest, and worked him the hardest," said North Mecklenburg head coach Duane Lewis.

"They were the first ACC school to offer him as scholarship, and that happened during his sophomore season," Lewis said.

"His final schools were Wake Forest and Florida. He made an unofficial visit to Wake Forest this past weekend for the Florida State game, and just knew that that Wake was the right program for him," said Lewis. "The campus is close to home, and his mother and father both grew up in Thomasville, N.C., which is very close to Winston-Salem. In the final analysis, Jamie and his parents believe that Wake Forest is the best choice for him," Lewis concluded.

According to Duane Lewis the North Carolina Tar Heels, reportedly Skeen's favorite school at one time, showed interest, and called almost weekly. However, Coach Roy Williams did not offer Skeen a scholarship.

Coach Bobby Lutz and his Charlotte 49ers did offer Skeen. However, he, reportedly, wanted to attend a college away from home according to his high school coach.

We have Jamie Skeen rated as the No. 1 player in the Class of 2006 in North Carolina. He was one of the best juniors last June at the NBA Players Association Top 100 Camp in Richmond, Va.

This season Skeen is averaging 20 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 blocks, and has led North Mecklenburg High School to a 23-1 record, and their ranking as the No. One high school team in North Carolina.

North Mecklenburg begins their conference tournament play tomorrow night with a home game against Charlotte Harding High School.

They are the strong favorites to win the N.C. 4A state championship.

Skeen is the first junior to make a commitment to Wake Forest thus far.