Schools Coming Out to See Skeen

With the evaluation period coming to a close next week, college coaches are getting a jump on the class of 2006 by going across the country to scout the young talent. North Mecklenburg (N.C.) High School’s Jamie Skeen has become a favorite amongst coaches this week. A number of national powers have and will make their way to watch the 6-foot-8, 215-pound forward.

Skeen, the No. 93 ranked player in the class of 2006, has been working out in open gyms for the likes of Wake Forest head coach Skip Prosser, Clemson head coach Oliver Purnell, Florida’s Billy Donovan and assistants from UConn, Tennessee, and Virginia Tech. Miami (Fla.) will be coming on Wednesday and North Carolina is stopping by on Thursday.

North Mecklenburg head coach Duane Lewis said Skeen has played well in the open gyms and hasn’t been too effected by the attention he’s getting, especially from the likes of the head coaches coming in.

“When they come around, you know you’re important,” Lewis said.

Skeen is adding weight, putting on 20 pounds since last season and hopes to get to 230 pounds before enrolling in college, Lewis says. Also growing, is his range on his jumper. North Mecklenburg will run a motion offense giving Skeen a chance to shine both inside and out. The college recruiters are attracted to the versatility, Lewis said.

“Both Wake and Florida know that he can shoot it. The more they see him up close, they realize that he’s that kind of player that can do a lot things in their systems,” Lewis said.

“Jamie’s got a great shot. He has great form and perfect rotation. He’s more aggressive now out there. The coaches that have seen him say he’s a three and has a chance to be a big time three.”

Skeen and the rest of the North Mecklenburg team will make only appearance on the national tournament scene this year, playing at the GlaxoSmithKline event in the North Carolina triangle after Christmas.