Thad Mumauâs column runs over at Smartnewsnc.com, and heâs nice enough to let us reprint it on DBR. Thanks Thad!
Mason Plumlee may be adjusting the blues in his color scheme.
The 6-foot-11 junior from Christ School in Asheville always wanted to play for the Tar Heels. Now, he has the chance to help beat them and to be one of their arch-rivals.
Plumlee received a scholarship offer from Duke's Mike Krzyzewski earlier this week when the head coach and one of his assistants, Chris Collins, made a trip to the North Carolina mountains.
Plumlee is averaging 14 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and just over two blocked shots per game for 29-2 Ashville Christ School, which won the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association 3-A championship last season and has two state titles in the past three years.
Wednesday night, he and Christ School coach David Gaines were at Cameron Indoor Stadium to watch the Blue Devils defeat Maryland.
Plumlee's brother, 6-9 Miles, signed a letter of intent with Stanford in November. Their younger brother, Marshall, is a 6-10 freshman at Christ School.
"Mason is not a center," Gaines said. "He really is more of a small forward because he has such tremendous skills. He and Miles both had late growth spurts, and they grew up as guards. Mason handles the ball and passes it extremely well."
He also shoots it well from all over the court. He takes around three three-pointers a game and has an overall 52 percent field goal accuracy. He makes 75 percent of his free throws.
"Mason is a phenomenal passer," Gaines said. "He is really a 6-11 guard. That is why Coach K and his staff are in love with him. Coach K knows we play a similar style to Duke - a lot of four out and one in. Miles and Mason both have the green light to rebound the ball and dribble it up the floor if there is no outlet. If an outlet pass is made, whoever rebounds becomes our trail guy on the break and has the option to shoot the three (off the secondary break)."
The style Duke plays is right up Plumlee's alley and could be a huge factor in his college decision.
"He doesn't want to go somewhere and be a low-post player," Gaines said. "Coach K made it clear Wednesday night that they are recruiting Mason as a skilled power forward, like Kyle Singler and Danny Ferry. He told Mason that he plays like Danny Ferry."
Plumlee received a warm welcome from the avid Duke students during the game.
"They chanted, `Mason Plumlee, come to Duke! Mason Plumlee, come to Duke!' over and over," Gaines said. "He loves the family environment at Duke. He was touched by the hospitality. We spent two and a half hours with Coach Collins and Wojo (Blue Devils assistant Steve Wojciechowski).
A native of Winona, Ind., Plumlee has been a Carolina fan since he was a small boy. But UNC's Roy Williams has not made an offer because his cabinet is already loaded with junior big men. (The Tar Heels have commitments from 6-10 ½ twins Travis and David Wear of Santa Ana, Cal., Mater Dei and 6-10 John Henson of Round Rock, Texas, High.)
"Coach Williams has seen Mason play three times," Gaines said, "and we were all thrilled by his interest. He has been up front with us and was terrific, calling me when the other three kids accepted offers and saying he is not prepared to offer Mason a scholarship right now. That was a class act.
"And, while he grew up a Carolina fan and I'm sure there was some disappointment as those kids started accepting offers, I know he understands and that he is very excited about Duke.
"I believe it is a perfect fit."
Plumlee also has offers from Wake Forest, Virginia, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Michigan, UCLA, Stanford, Texas, Louisville and Iowa.
Pack gets junior pledge
N.C. State has its first commitment from the class of 2009.
Scott Wood, a 6-5 wing guard from Marion (Ind.) High, announced for the Wolfpack last week while State assistant coach Monte Towe was in Marion.
Wood's teammate, senior point guard Julius Mays, signed with N.C. State in November.
A three-point specialist who has taken more than half of his shots from behind the arc, Wood missed five games with a deep bruise in his left thigh. He had to have blood drained from the area to help the healing process.
He is averaging nearly 19 points on the court and 3.5 in the classroom.
Wood, who has been recruited hard by Virginia Tech, Miami, Butler and St. Louis, said he chose State because of the chance to play in the ACC and because the school has his desired major, civil engineering.
He made an unofficial visit to Raleigh last summer.
Thad Mumau may be reached at thadmumau@smartnewsnc.com.