Nike: Fridays News Notes

Rivals.com spoke to several prospects on Friday about their future during the Nike All-American camp in Indianapolis, Ind. Louis Wiliams shed some light on where the NBA stands in his future and a couple top 2006 prospects want to play together in the ACC.

AVAILABLE SMALL FORWARDS

One of the hottest 2005 small forward prospects Lawrence Kinnard listed offers from Miami, Texas, NC State, Memphis, Kansas, UAB, Virginia Tech, and Georgia Tech. He also noted that UConn call recently and that he is wide open at this point.

Another 2005 small forward with size and athleticism Eric Whitehurst has an offer from VCU and is getting strong interest from Miami, Penn State, Virginia Tech, Virginia, and Oklahoma State.

PACKAGE DEAL FOR THE ACC

Boo Williams teammates Vernon Macklin and Stefan Welsh are set on going somewhere in the ACC as a package deal. One school in particular is at the top of their list.

“Ticket [Macklin] has always wanted to go to Maryland,” said Welsh. “We are going to take an unofficial visit there and at Wake Forest in August. North Carolina and NC State are also possibilities. It will be the ACC definitely.”

TWO PAC-10 OFFERS FOR 2007 PROSPECT

Super 2007 prospect Jerryd Bayless already has offers from Arizona and UCLA. He also likes Duke and North Carolina, both of which are showing interest.

TO JUMP OR NOT TO JUMP

Louis Williams has played well at the Nike All-American Camp. Friday he spoke about the NBA and his future.

“I have thought about making the jump out of high school,” said Williams. “I would like to be in that elite class of players that have made the jump from high school, but I have to be realistic with myself and my goals. The NBA will be there. The NCAA will only help my game get ready for the NBA.”

When Sebastian Telfair’s choice as an upper first round pick was mentioned, Williams had more to say.

“A lot depends on how Sebastian fares this year. It really opened my eyes that smaller guards are going to. I would say that right now I am 80 percent college and 20 percent NBA.”

In fact the 80/20 ratio was used by 2006 prospect Brandan Wright earlier at camp.

MORE THAN A SHOOTER

William’s teammate on the Georgia Stars Billy Humphrey has a list of four schools, including Auburn, Tennessee, Georgia Tech, and Wake Forest. Auburn and Tennessee have offered. Georgia Tech and Wake Forest are evaluating Humphrey through the Peach Jam before they decide whether or not to offer.

Hmphrey, who has put the ball on the floor and been more creative than he typically is when playing with the Stars, had an interesting comment on the perception that he is just a shooter.

“I am just playing my role for the Stars,” said Humphrey. “With Louis and Mike [Mercer], we do not need another slasher. It is my job to be an option on the wing for them when they drive.”

SPEED KILLS

2006 point guard Sherron Collins has turned the heads of both defenders and coaches in the stands with his ability to knife to the basket. He is listing Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, and Georgia Tech. Look for more schools to start tracking Collins.

Another speedster at the camp Devan Downey is wide open still but would like to start narrowing his list after the Peach Jam. South Carolina, Tennessee, and UMass have offered. He is waiting to see if offers will come from Florida, Cincinnati, Miami, Maryland, and Arkansas. Downey noted that Arkansas expressed interest after watching him early in this camp.

2006 point guard Demond Carter maintains that he does have a clear and strong favorite right now but that situation could easily change.

“I am keeping my options open,” said Carter. “There are schools like Baylor, Texas, Kansas, Tennessee, and Kentucky. I know where I would go right now, but in the near future I might change my mind.”

Carter hit a number of deep three-pointers in Friday’s action.

WAITING ON DUKE?

Jamal Boykin has a solid top five of Duke, Boston College, Georgia Tech, Illinois, and Pittsburgh. All have offered except for Duke, who certainly appears to be Boykin’s favorite.

“Coach K has called twice,” said Boykin. “He said that I don’t have a position but I am a hard worker. I am taking an official visit there in September. I plan on only taking three visits, and I want to visit Duke last.”