On Saturday, March 24th, 80 of North Carolina’s most talented underclassmen will come together under one roof and participate in the first ever “Dave Telep’s Carolina Challenge.” From junior stud Ty Walker to freshmen sensation Jarell Eddie, this one of a kind event will showcase the best-of-the-best in the talent rich state of North Carolina.
The Carolina Challenge, which will take place at Cary Academy on the outskirts of Raleigh, is setup for the college prospects to not only enjoy a day of intense basketball competition, but to also create a sense of urgency in the classroom and off the court.
"We think the Carolina Challenge accomplishes a few things,” Telep said. “From a talent standpoint, much of the state's 2008, 2009 and 2010 classes will be on display. Secondly, it'll emphasize the importance of making yourself an attractive prospect -- on and off the court -- to colleges."
Telep, the camp director, is a voting member for the McDonald’s All-American game and national recruiting director for Scout.com, the nation’s leading basketball recruiting authority. He’s assembled an all-star cast to help make the camp experience a great one for the invitees.
Former North Carolina State legend Chris Corchiani, who is one of three male NCAA basketball players with more than 1000 career assists, will lead the campers in a pair of skill sessions. While the event coordinator, Denny Kuiper, a former high school and college coach, will also be on hand to lend his expertise.
The theme for the camp is "Are You Recruitable?" and Telep will spend time talking to the players about academics and what it takes to prepare yourself for the college experience.
True to the camp format, this event will provide observers with a number of highly anticipated match ups to keep an eye on. Each camper will participate equal minutes in three games.
With a number of high-major big men set to attend, the match up of the best 2008 big men is among the most anticipated. The MVP of the 4-A state championship, Ty Walker, will be in attendance and will go head-to-head with heavily recruited insiders Victor Davila and Romanian 7-footer Catalin Baciu.
But a number of other story lines are likely to develop as well.
North Carolina’s highly hyped freshmen class will get a chance to prove themselves against older players. Top freshmen who will be in attendance are Jarell Eddie, C.J. Leslie and Tashawn Mabry. They’ll face challenges from under the radar standouts like Jay Canty, Reggie Bullock and Anthony Thomas, among others.
The sophomore class is led by standouts David Chadwick, Akeem Richmond, Earnest Ross and Mason Plumlee, but there are sure to be a few surprise performances and a 2009 sleeper is likely to step up in the lime light.
North Carolina’s 2008 class is much deeper than originally thought. Walker, Davila, J.T. Thompson and Baciu are already receiving high-major scholarships. Guys like Reggie Johnson, Damier Pitts, Andre Cornelius and Ken Gabriel are trying to pry loose those big time offers from the college coaches.
The camp is open to the public and admission is free. The first game tips off at 9:30 a.m. and the day concludes at 6:30 p.m.
CAROLINA CHALLENGE PARTICIPANTS
Garrius Adams 2009
Catalin Baciu 2008
Montel Baines 2010
Julius Brooks 2009
Jarrick Brown 2010
Reggie Bullock 2010
Chasen Campbell 2009
Jay Canty 2010
Will Carpenter 2009
David Chadwick 2009
Emanuel Chapman 2010
Carter Cook 2008
Andre Cornelius 2008
Robert Crisp 2010
Seth Curry 2008
Victor Davila 2008
Ted Eby 2008
Jarell Eddie 2010
Jonathan Ellington 2008
Eladio Espinosa 2008
Tevin Friday 2010
Ken Gabriel 2008
Kyle Gaillard 2009
Dee Giger 2009
Mike Grace 2009
Willis Hall 2009
C.J. Harris 2009
Petey Haulsey 2008
Donovan Ingram 2008
Lakeem Jackson 2008
Nick Jefferson 2008
Justin Johnson 2008
Reggie Johnson 2008
Kip Kelley 2008
Ryan Kelly 2009
Nelson Kirksey 2008
C.J. Leslie 2010
Cameron Lovelace 2008
Tashawn Mabry 2010
Andre Marhold 2009
Tyler Mavity 2010
Eric Mayo 2009
Anthony McClenny 2008
Hunter McClintock 2008
Tyler McDaniels 2008
Earl McLaurin 2010
Lateef McMullan 2008
Maurice Nash 2010
Danny Niemann 2008
Stan Okoye 2009
David Pellom 2008
Damier Pitts 2008
Miles Plumlee 2008
Mason Plumlee 2009
Kevin Powell 2009
Damarcus Quinerly 2009
Corey Raley 2010
Dexter Randolph 2008
Adam Raye 2008
Robby Reid 2008
Jonathan Rice 2010
Chris Richardson 2009
Akeem Richmond 2009
Bryan Roberts 2008
Denzel Robinson 2010
Earnest Ross 2009
Alonzo Sharpe 2009
Eric Simpson 2009
Blake Smith 2008
Tavares Speaks 2008
Damian Steadman 2010
J.T. Terrell 2010
Anthony Thomas 2010
Corey Thompson 2009
J.T. Thompson 2008
Ty Walker 2008
John Wall 2009
Justin Watts 2008
Marcus Wells 2009
Marcus Wright 2008