[QUOTE][B]Wake’s Swinton lands new home at UNC Wilmington[/B]
ENTERPRISE STAFF, WIRE REPORTS
WILMINGTON – A little over a month after announcing plans to leave Wake Forest, Kevin Swinton has found another basketball home within the state.
Swinton told the Wilmington Star-News that he has given UNC Wilmington a verbal commitment.
The 6-foot-7, 224-pound Swinton must sit out next season in accordance with NCAA trans*fer rules.
He will have two years of college eligibility remaining, beginning with the 2008-09 season. Swinton will be allowed to practice with the Seahawks next season.
Swinton said UNC-W coach Benny Moss played a major role in steering him toward the N.C. coast.
“I feel like I had one chance to do it right,” the former Greensboro Dudley star said. “Coach Moss is a good guy, and it just seemed like a good fit for me. He didn’t promise me too much. He just said I could use this year too improve my game and my strength.”
Swinton saw his playing time steadily diminish this past season. He averaged 2.8 points and 2.5 rebounds while playing 9.1 minutes per game.
“As far as the record, it wasn’t a success, but I learned a lot from players like (former Deacons) Justin Gray and Eric Williams,” Swinton said. “The (Wake) coaching staff is great. They just didn’t work out.”[/QUOTE]
From the blog of Brian Mull, Wilmington Star-News…
[QUOTE]Kevin Swinton, a 6-foot-7, 225-pound forward from Greensboro, is joining the UNCW program. Swinton played two seasons at Wake Forest. He’ll have to sit out the 2007-08 season and have two years of eligibility remaining.
Swinton, is a true low post player who was probably two inches too short to play his position in the ACC. He’ll give coach Benny Moss an experienced frontcourt player to step in and challenge for a starting role in the 2008-09 season.
He can practice with the team this season.[/QUOTE]
Other info on their targets:
[QUOTE]Recruiting Notes
UNCW coaches expect to hear from Kevin Swinton today. Swinton, a 6-foot-7 forward out of Greensboro, visited Wilmington in April and Fairfield earlier this month. Swinton began his career at Wake Forest and would have two years of eligibility remaining.
Will O’Hauregbe, a 6-7, 200-pound power forward, made a unofficial visit late last week. He is a native of Canada, and will be a senior at New Horizons Prep in Danville, Va. next year.
Other players from the Class of 2008 UNCW is interested in:
PF - Eladio Espinosa, (6-7, 210) from Charlotte. Played well at Dave Telep’s Carolina Challenge and in recent AAU action.
SF - Donovan Ingram (6-4, 180) from Kinston. Athletic wing was MVP of 3A Eastern Regional.
PF - Tyler McDaniels (6-7, 190) from Jacksonville. Thin, lanky. More of a 3-point shooter than inside threat at this point.
PF - Ken Gabriel (6-7, 200). He’s a Charlotte-area power player trying to refine his perimeter game. He’s receiving interest from Illinois and Clemson, but UNCW is in the mix.
SG - Jerel Stephenson (6-3, 190) A lefty from Augusta, Ga. His AAU coach, Curtis Wheeler, says his strengths are basketball IQ, passing and attacking the basket.
PG - James Fields (6-1, 170) He was Savannah, Ga., area player of the year out of Beach HS. A true point guard and friends with Stephenson.
This list is by no means comprehensive, just wanted to offer some players that the UNCW coaches are evaluating in the '08 class. There are certainly many others flying on the 'Hawks radar. Right now the Seahawks have at least four scholarships available for the 2008-09 season.[/QUOTE]