Tracking UNC, NC State recruits

John Wall enhanced his reputation as one of the nation’s top junior point guards when he led Raleigh Word of God to a win in the GlaxoSmithKline holiday tournament in Raleigh.

Wall, a recruiting target of N.C. State and many other schools, helped Word of God defeat Taft High of Woodland Hills, Calif., in the semifinals. Wall fared well against Taft senior point guard Larry Drew, a North Carolina signee.

All-Star Sports recruiting analyst Bob Gibbons said Drew is a solid player but isn’t showing the explosive athletic ability of current North Carolina sophomore Ty Lawson.

If Lawson leaves for the NBA after this season, North Carolina might struggle to keep its current pace because its point guards will be Drew and senior Bobby Frasor, who will be returning from knee surgery.

On a positive note for North Carolina, Gibbons said Tyler Zeller, a 6-foot-11 signee from Washington, Ind., is having an outstanding senior season. And 6-8 Tar Heels signee Ed Davis helped Richmond Benedictine stun powerhouse Oak Hill Academy in mid-December.
-- Ken Tysiac