Roundball Classic showcases Minter

RALEIGH— It’s early on a Sunday morning but they have poured into Wakefield High School from everywhere.

Coaches from thirty-three colleges, to be exact, 19 of them Division I. And the scouts representing these 33 institutions are here for the Raleigh Roundball Classic — to perhaps slip one more wave of the hand or nod of the head toward a player they hope to sway their way.

There are coaches like Houston Fancher of Appalachian State, obviously nervous about the play of West Rowan’s Donte Minter.

Fancher has an opening at power forward and wants Minter to fill it. ASU is one of the finalists on Minter’s list. In fact, his first official visit will be Sept, 29 in Boone. And the personable Fancher has already received a commitment from Central Cabarrus’ Nathan Cranford, a buddy of Minter’s.

So Sunday is important. This is the last time Fancher gets to see Minter — and Minter gets to see Fancher — in a basketball setting.

But what if the 6-foot-8 Falcon star plays so well today that a so-called “higher Division I” team offers him? It’s almost as if Fancher wants Minter to do well, but then again ...

John Kresse of the College of Charleston is in the house as well. He wants Minter too. In fact, he is making the first in-home visit with Minter Monday night.

Surely Fancher and Kresse see Frank Smith, a Dayton University assistant,who flew in to see Minter, arguably the most elite player in the 78-player field.

If Sunday’s showcase proves anything, it’s this. Donte Minter will have plenty of choices.

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West Rowan actually has more players than any school at the Raleigh Roundball Classic— four. Minter, along with 6-7 juniors Phillip Williams and Junior Hairston, pulled themselves out of bed at 5:30 a.m., as did Darren Ramsey, who took the place of Phillip’s 6-7 twin brother Jason.

“This is both ends of the scale,” says West coach Mike Gurley. “Donte’s getting those last looks from the big schools. For Phillip and Junior, this could set off their recruiting.”

The long and lean Hairston has an unbelievable vertical leap, which had coaches approaching Gurley with comments all day long. He has to work on his shot and his fundamentals, they all agreed, but my goodness, can that 16-year old kid wearing the size 18s get off the floor.

It’s that leaping ability that has Atlantic Coast Conference assistants telling Gurley that Hairston can play at that level.

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The 14th annual Classic begins at 9:30 a.m. and Hairston, who got his name out during summer AAU, is the first player to dunk over a sleepy-eyed opponent in the 3-on-3 competition, bringing the initial oohs and ahhs from the spectators.

“I’m here to have fun,” grins Hairston, who then proves it by flirting with girls, joking with the dad of High Point Andrews point guard Will Price and giving Minter some grief. “I’m not thinking about how I’ll get recruited. But it feels good to know I can play for a big school.”

Gurley raves about Williams’ strength and potential but knows he is behind because he didn’t play AAU.

“So we hope this showcase will show how good Phillip really is,” Gurley said. “This is the opportunity for the coaches to say, ‘Hey, who is that long, talented, good-looking ballplayer?’”

“I’m trying not be make it a lot of pressure,” Williams said. “I’m trying to relax and do a good job.”

Even Ramsey, who is the only jayvee player there, warms to the task. By the end of the day, he is knocking away passes, hitting threes and leading the fast break.

“I thought everybody was going to be taller and quicker than me,” he muses. “But I got used to it.”

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Minter is certainly used to this. He’s been to practically every showcase. And he is the one people are watching. He is the showcase of the showcase.

His final list changes daily but today, it appears Appalachian State, College of Charleston, Old Dominion, Dayton and UNC Wilmington are leading the Minter Sweepstakes.

Old Dominion, which has received a commitment from Charlotte Independence point guard Isaiah Hunter, is visiting Minter’s home Wednesday. Wilmington’s Jerry Wainwright is visiting Thursday.

As the saavy, Kevin McHale-like Minter outplays all comers, Gurley is nudged by more coaches. An assistant from Winthrop wants to know Minter’s final choices and upon hearing them, declares,“We ought to be in that mix.”

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The schools represented range from North Carolina to Brunswick Community College.

“The big colleges are recruiting for next year,” Gurley explains. “D-IIschools are still recruiting for this year.”

One of those D-IIcoaches is Dip Metrees, the head coach at Belmont Abbey. He was Gurley’s roommate when they played at the school.

“I could put 100 kids in a room right now and offer them all a full scholarship and only two would say yes,” Metrees says. “And those two couldn’t play a lick.”

Minter, meanwhile, is in the auxilary gym, playing for the Magic against the Bulls, who have Williams and the trash-talking Hairston. Minter quickly shuts him up by blocking his shot as soon as the game begins.

Minter outplays 6-7 Phillip McCandies of Parkland, who, according to rumors circulating in the gym, has been offered by Virginia Tech. He plays better than Shawn Malloy, a 6-9 stud from Hoke County.

“Donte is one of the best players here,” understates Classic organizer Mike Palmer, “probably in the top half-dozen.”

The half-dozen schools who think they have a chance at Minter are watching. Wondering. Hoping.

And like Fancher, very nervous.

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Contact Ronnie Gallagher at 704-797-4256 or rgallagher@salisburypost.com .