Now that his junior year is in the books, Matt Gwynne, a 6-foot-9, 227-pound power forward from Ravenscroft High School in Raleigh, N.C., is ready to hit the busy AAU trail in hopes improving his game and getting more looks from the nation's top schools. Several high-majors have already stopped by to see him in action and a couple more are letting the senior-to-be know that they are interested.

There were a lot of coaches that came in to evaluate Gwynne in the fall. Some matriculated in during the season. And many of them came away impressed. It was Clemson that stepped up and became the first school to offer the big man a scholarship. That was a relief to Gwynne, he says.

"It's always been my dream to play in the ACC. I'm still in a state of wow. It's good to feel like I'm wanted," Gwynne said. "I kept asking myself 'when they offer?' And that wasn't just Clemson. That was everyone. So when (Clemson) offered, I felt like it gave me some credibility."

Clemson, Georgia Tech and North Carolina have all been in to see Gwynne this year. As have UNC-Wilmington, Old Dominion and William and Mary, who just recently offered a free ride.

Now that the season is over for Gwynne, he's gearing up for the biggest spring and summer of his life. As coaches scour the country for big men that they know will show up to campus, Gwynne's name will certainly make it's way onto must-watch lists everywhere.

When college coaches were allowed to contact junior recruits, Gwynne said he heard from Florida State and Illinois right away.

"I spoke to FSU last night and we had a good conversation," Gwynne said. "To make a long story short, he ended the phone call with something like 'We can't wait to get a chance to get you down here and accept this scholarship to play for us.' In my head I was asking myself, 'Did they just offer me?' They sounded real interested.

"And then Illinois called me on the first day they could call. I was really surprised they called me. He said, 'This is Tracy Webster from the University of Illinois.' I couldn't believe it. I asked him if he was crazy because this is the number one team in the nation and they are calling me. But he reassured me that they were serious about me and wanted to watch me play this year."

Gwynne said he's unofficially visited North Carolina for Late Night with Roy, Wake Forest a couple of times, Clemson, Davidson, and Eastern Carolina. The junior also stopped by Tennessee in the fall. More trips will come over the summer. Don't be surprised if he's smiling around every corner on some of the biggest schools in the country.

"I'm still in shock and overwhelmed by it all. It all came out of nowhere," Gwynne said. "I can't believe any of it. I'm kind of blown away by being in this position."

And with continued strong play inside and as one of the best shooting big men in the country, he'll most certainly have plenty of reasons to be blown away.

Gwynne averaged 19.5 points and 13.5 rebounds per game for Ravenscroft (24-8) in his junior year. He will suit up for the Charlotte Royals on the AAU circuit, with his first stop at the Boo Williams tournament next month.