HAMPTON, Va. -- Theo Pinson is an elite recruit who plays his high school ball at Wesleyan Christian Academy in North Carolina. And he has offers from Duke, North Carolina, NC State and Wake Forest, among others.
Not surprisingly, he can’t go anywhere without hearing the locals push for him to stay home for college.
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| The 6-foot-5 Pinson has tremendous vision. (Nike) |
“You hear it more,” Pinson said at the Boo Williams EYBL event in Virginia over the weekend. “There are so many Carolina fans here -- and in North Carolina, of course. That’s all you hear: North Carolina. North Carolina and Duke.”
The 6-foot-5 wing doesn’t want to make a snap decision and just play his basketball at home due to the emotional pull, though.
“I don’t want to rush into it, wishing I went to another school,” Pinson said. “I’m going to look all into it, see what’s up. I’m a North Carolina kid. But you’ve got to make the right decision for you.”
Pinson, ranked No. 12 in the 247 Sports Composite, plans on trimming his list next month. Right now, he has Georgetown, Louisville, Indiana Duke, North Carolina, Kentucky, Florida State, Wake Forest and NC State in pursuit.
Aside from the North Carolina schools, he also said that Indiana’s fanbase has been “blowing him up” on Twitter and that Kentucky is interested but hasn’t offered just yet.
“It’s going to be real tough,” Pinson said. “All those are very close. It’s going to be a tough decision.”
Over the weekend, Pinson showed why he is such a sought-after recruit. He has the ability to be one of the biggest matchup problems on the perimeter, as he possesses tremendous vision for someone his size. He is a great passer, and his length and athleticism are impressive. Pinson needs to improve his outside shot and ball-handling ability to truly be a dominant player at the next level.
However, he has the tools to be a versatile, lockdown defender.
“I can play 1-4 on this circuit," he said. "I can guard a big, and I can also guard a little guy. On the offensive end, [I have] quickness, and I can go in the post a little bit, kill the little guards on the boards.”
The five-star prospect also said he wants to make a college decision before his senior season begins.
