One of Nations Best Underclassmen to Charlotte
Not only has what was once thought to be the No. 1 prospect in the class of 2008 reclassified to 2007, but Michael Beasley, a 6-foot-8 small forward, is home schooling for the foreseeable future and has verbally committed to Charlotte.
“I have reclassified to 2007 and am home schooling,” said Beasley, who resides in Upper Marlboro, Md. “There is no big reason really that I am home schooling. I just feel that I work better in a one on one situation.”
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As to his verbal commitment to Charlotte, Beasley had this to say.
“Yes, I verbally committed to Charlotte,” he said. “I just felt like I didn’t want to go too low or go too high. Charlotte is a program that has been to the NCAA tournament but where I know I will get playing time. More than that, I really like the coaches. They know the game and are down to earth.”
In fact, Beasley knows Assistant Coach Delonte Hill, who recruited him, very well. Coach Hill was formally with the DC Assault before coaching at Charlotte. Beasley was a standout, along with Nolan Smith on the DC Assault 16-under team which won both the AAU 16-under Nationals and the adidas Elite Thirty Six.
Beasley’s comment about committing to a program that is “not too low or not too high” causes one to pause to think, since he is consider a heavy candidate to skip college altogether and head straight to the NBA.
“I try not to think too much about it,” said Beasley about going to the NBA without going to college. “I try not to get a big head. If I can [go to the NBA], I might, but right now I am just thinking about going to college.”
Beasly also indicated that he has no plans to attend high school during his junior or senior year.
“I really don’t have plans to go to school anywhere, but if something happens, I will role with it,” he said.
As to other schools other schools he was considering along with Charlotte, Beasley named one.
“I thought about a couple other schools,” he said. “I was looking at Syracuse for a quick minute.”
Beasley does have the size and skill level of a future NBA small forward. He can shoot the three as well as attack the basket. He is a very smooth athlete with tremendous body control. As he gets stronger, he should become a more explosive athlete.
Last year Beasley attended the IMG Academy in Florida.