Rodney Purvis of Upper Room Christian Academy at Dave Telep's 5th annual Carolina Challenge held at Ravenscroft High School on Saturday, March 26. (photo by Will Okun)
Sep 30, 2011
Rodney Purvis entered the gymnasium at Upper Room Christian Academy with his classmates supporting him in the bleachers and a crowd of NC State fans to his right.
He sat down will all ears undivided on his statement. Where would one of the nation's top recruits be headed?
"I decided there's no place like home," Purvis said, and before he could say he was committing to NC State, the Wolfpack fans erupted in applause and cheer.
At 6-foot-4, 185-pounds, the shooting guard has the ability to be an immediate impact player for NC State, according to ESPN analyst Dave Telep.
"Athletically he's going to be ready to go as a freshman, physically he's going to be ready to go as a freshman," Telep said.
According to ESPN.com, Purvis is the No. 1 play in the state from the Class of 2012, and ranked No. 16 nationally. He is the 5the best shooting guard from his class.
From the time he started at NC State, Mark Gottfried made it a priority to get Purvis in a Wolfpack uniform. The 5-star recruit was one of the first people Gottfried contacted.
Purvis said Gottfried called him the day he was hired at NC State.
"They were very aggressive," Purvis said. "They were at every single game over the summer. If Coach Gottfried couldn't make it, it was another coach. I just really appreciated that from them."
Landing a blue chip prospect is a big deal for the new NC State staff too.
"For Mark Gottfried and his staff, this is the guy, this is their statement recruit," Telep said. "It's a big deal locally, regionally and nationally. I think what it does is it gives them a chip in the game, it gives them some attention at NC State."
NC State is still recruiting some other big time prospects, including former Word of God player T.J. Warren. Purvis will join Warren this weekend as he makes an official visit.
"Whenever you get a guy like this, you want to lay the foundation for the future," said Telep. "Now Rodney puts on his recruiting hat and then goes out there and he's the defacto coach as of right now."
Purvis says he would like for players like Warren to join him in Raleigh, but says he's going to let other players make their own decisions.
"I'm definitely going to be respectful because everybody has other good schools that they can chose from, and I'm going to do them the way they did me," Purvis said. "They gave me my space and respected me."
Earlier in his high school career, Purvis verbally committed to Louisville. He rescinded that commitment when assistant coach Tim Fuller left the staff to go to Missouri.
Telep doesn't expect any change of heart this time.
"If Rodney Purvis would like to call Raleigh home from now through November, he's going to sign those papers. I don't think there's any question he's going to NC State," said Telep.
Purvis joins 4-star point guard Tyler Lewis in NC State's Class of 2012. Lewis is from Winston-Salem, N.C.
"I think I'll be a trend setter... I think this could be something good," Purvis said. "I just want to bring some excitement back to Raleigh."
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