Telep's Carolina Challenge a Huge Event

Looking to catch some of the state's top high school basketball players in action? Head over to Cary Academy tomorrow for Dave Telep's Carolina Challenge, and you can see the top underclassmen in the state!

Pack Pride will have extensive coverage of the event, including interviews, scouting reports, video, photos, and much more so stay tuned!

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LOCATION: Cary Academy in Cary, North Carolina
DIRECTIONS: [FROM I-40] -- Take Exit 287 Harrison Avenue / Cary. Travel approximately 1 mile and turn left at 5th light into Cary Academy. Veer right and gym is located in the back of campus.
ADMISSION: FREE!
ROSTERS: Printed rosters will be available at the event.
FORMAT: 80 players are divided into eight teams named after former stars from the state of North Carolina. Each player is guaranteed three games.

DAILY SCHEDULE: CAROLINA CHALLENGE – MARCH 29

7:30 am - 8:45: Check In / Gear Dispersal

9:00 am – 9:25: Introduction / Team Practice

Dave Telep

9:30 am: Court 1 (MAIN) Paul vs. Haywood
Court 2 (SEA GYM) Stackhouse vs. Jamison

10:40 am: Court 1(MAIN) Howard vs. West
Court 2 (SEA GYM) Simmons vs. Randolph

11:45: Recruiting/Academic Seminar (friends & family); Lunch (Stackhouse, Jamison, Simmons, Randolph); Skill Work(Paul, Haywood, Howard, West)

12:30 pm: Lunch (Paul, Haywood, Howard, West); Skill (Stackhouse, Jamison, Simmons, Randolph)

1:20 pm: Court 1 (MAIN) Paul vs. Stackhouse
Court 2 (SEA GYM) Haywood vs. Jamison

2:30 pm: Court 1 (MAIN) Howard vs. Simmons
Court 2 (SEA GYM) West vs. Randolph

3:35 pm – 4:05: “Are You Recruitable?”

4:10 pm: Court 1 (MAIN) Jamison vs Randolph
Court 2 (SEA GYM) Haywood vs Stackhouse

5:20 pm: Court 1 (MAIN) West vs. Simmons
Court 2 (SEA GYM) Paul vs Howard

The best underclassmen in North Carolina are getting together again.

For the second consecutive year Dave Telep’s Carolina Challenge will bring the state’s top underclassmen together for an all-day showcase on March 29th at Cary Academy in Raleigh (N.C.).

C.J. Leslie

Throughout the high school season, Telep traveled the state of North Carolina searching, evaluating and inviting the top underclassmen that it had to offer. The process wasn’t easy, but Telep had to cut the list off at 80 prospects.

“It was extremely difficult to narrow the field down to just 80 guys especially with what appears to be a great crop of young talent in the state of North Carolina,” Telep said. “The thing that is going to be really exciting about this is the 2009 guys that may emerge and the overall crop of wing players.”

NC State fans will get a chance to see some of the Wolfpack's lone 2010 verbal commitment, major targets, and some future opponents at this year's event. Here are some notable names scheduled to participate in this year's Carolina Challenge:

Forward C.J. Leslie (2010): Raleigh Word of God [NC STATE VERBAL]
An early commitment to NC State, Leslie had a great sophomore season at Word of God, helping lead the Holy Rams to its second straight N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association 1A Title.

With fellow 2010 standouts Reggie Bullock, Tashawn Mabry, and Jay Canty on hand, Leslie will be looking to stake his claim as the state's top rising junior.

John Wall

Point Guard John Wall (2009): Raleigh Word of God
The most highly regarded prospect scheduled to attend, Wall is regarded as arguably the top point guard in the 2009 class and is the state's top player regardless of class. All he has done thus far in his career is lead Word of God to back-to-back state titles and he has one more year left to go for the three-peat.

Ultra quick and explosive with the ball in his hands, Wall is the prototypical point guard recruit and is being pursued by a host of programs. NC State remains heavily in the mix, and the hometown school is expected to be right there until the end.

Forward/Center Ryan Kelly (2009): Raleigh Ravenscroft
An inside player with a good feel for the game, Kelly has landed offers from NC State, Notre Dame, Davidson, Richmond, Virginia, and Virginia Tech among others.

Highly skilled, Kelly hails from a strong program and all eyes will be on his matchup against Duke verbal Mason Plumlee.

Forward Tashawn Mabry (2010): Rocky Mount
Claiming an offer from NC State, Mabry is in the process of expanding his game to the wing as he's played much of his prep career as a post.

Highly athletic and bouncy around the rim, he's had some huge outings for Rocky Mount this season. He averaged 24 points per game, the state's top scorer as a sophomore.

Jarell Eddie

Forward Jarell Eddie (2010): Concord Cannon School
Like Mabry, Eddie is currently a combo forward looking to make the move to the wing. At 6-foot-6, he has outstanding athleticism and a developing jumpshot. He burst on the scene last summer with some strong performances on the AAU circuit.

Wake Forest, Virginia Tech, Clemson, and NC State are all tracking his progress.

Wing Mychal Parker (2010): Greenville Terra Ceia
Looking for a sleeper to emerge? Mychal Parker might be your guy. Not too many scouts have seen the 6'6 wing, but those who have rave about his overall ability.

Word is he was the best player on the floor in a game earlier this season against Word of God, and he's only getting better. At nearly 6'6, he can handle, pass it, and is really tough to defend off the dribble. Keep an eye out for Parker!

Wing Jay Canty (2010): Jamestown Ragsdale
Like Parker, Canty's flown a bit under the radar despite turning heads at last year's Carolina Challenge.

Andre Marhold

He's had some big-time efforts for Ragsdale, and with his body and athleticism, Canty is expected to be a high-major recruit.

Forward Andre Marhold (2009: Charlotte North Mecklenburg
Marhold holds an offer from Clemson, and NC State and Pittsburgh are in the mix. Currently he's a four-man in a three's body, but makes up for his lack of ideal size with explosiveness and a solid mid-range game.

Marhold will need to extend his range and sure up his ballhandling, but he is as exciting a player as their is on the Challenge's roster.

Forward Melvin Tabb (2010): Raleigh Enloe
Tabb is still rounding his game into shape after injuring his knee a couple years back.

He had a solid season for Enloe High and is on the Wolfpack's radar. How much his body matures and his game develops will determine Tabb's eventual level.

Forward Bernard Sullivan (2011): Charlotte North Mecklenburg
Late word is that Sullivan will miss the event with an injury and that is too bad because he's one of the elite players in the 2011 class.

Already 6-foot-7, he teamed with Andre Marhold to control the paint for North Mecklenburg. NC State, Virginia, Charlotte, and others are on Sullivan early.

Forward Jacob Lawson (2011): Greensboro Northern Guilford
Another standout in the 2011 class, Lawson has size and athleticism. His 15-point, 11-rebound effort against Mt. Zion turned some heads this year... not bad for a 9th grader!

Point Guard Brandyn Curry (2009): Huntersville Hopewell
After John Wall, pickings are slim at point guard in the in-state rising senior class, and Curry might be the next best talent. He has a nice reputation in the Charlotte area, and Curry will be looking to impress. This is a big event for him.

J.T. Terrell (2010): Burlington Cummings
A deadly scorer, Terrell can absolutely fill it up. The son of former Charlotte 49ers player James "Trigger" Terrell, J.T. averaged over 20 points and snatched six boards a game for Cummings.

With offers on the table from Charlotte and Wake Forest, Terrell is taking his time. Virginia, Miami, Kentucky, and Virginia Tech are also in the mix.

Reggie Bullock

Wing Reggie Bullock (2010): Kinston [UNC VERBAL]
Extremely smooth and highly skilled, Bullock gave an early commitment to North Carolina during his season and followed that up by leading Kinston to a state title.

He injured his ankle in the state final, but look for Bullock to tough it out and lace them up this weekend. Canty, Parker, Mabry, and others will be looking to make a name for themselves against a future Tar Heel, but Bullock will be ready for all challengers.

Forward Mason Plumlee (2009): Arden Christ School [DUKE VERBAL]
In late February Plumlee committed to the Blue Devils and he comes from a family of hoop standouts. Older brother Miles is headed to Stanford next season and the youngest, Marshall, is a member of the 2011 class.

As a junior, Plumlee averaged 14 points, 12 rebounds and 2.5 blocks for Christ School.

Those are just a few of the top players who have committed to playing in this year's challenge. The Carolina Challenge has rapidly become the signature event in the state for the top players.

80 of the best freshmen, sophomore and juniors have been handpicked for this invitation only, one-day academy that not only showcases the talent in the state but emphasizes what it means and takes to become a college basketball player.

Admission is free and Cary Academy is located right off I-40. Head over tomorrow and catch the action!

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Pack Pride will have extensive coverage of the event, including interviews, scouting reports, video, photos, and much more so stay tuned!