by Alex Schwartz

My NBAPA Top 100 Camp coverage is coming closer to a close, and I just have one or two more articles in addition to this to post. I've already posted coverage of Day One, Day Two, and Day Three of the event, as well as Pac-10/SEC Committed Player Interviews. Now, here's my article including the interviews that I did with players who have pledged to ACC, Big East, and Big Ten schools. Have a look:

Markel Starks ’10, Georgetown Prep (MD), Georgetown
Starks had an up-and-down showing at the NBAPA Top 100 Camp, but showed that he is certainly a talented player. That is why he had a final five of Virginia, Georgia, Vanderbilt, Clemson, and Georgetown, which he ultimately committed to. “That’s just where I wanted to go to school. I felt it was the right fit for me. I fell in love with the campus. . . . I just felt that’s the school I wanted to go to from the jump.” Starks, who attends a high school that is affiliated with his future college, said the following about what that will be like and if he thinks that it may be a bit interesting to keep the big G on his chest for four more years: “Absolutely. . . . Once I was accepted to go to Georgetown Prep, I felt it was a great accomplishment for me and my family, but mainly for me because never did I think I’d have the luxury to go to a school as prestigious as Georgetown Prep. . . . I’m excited for the next level.” What does Markel feel is the strongest point of his game? “I can score and [also] probably leading the team. I’m pretty vocal. I’m still learning the game, but I think I have a good [basketball] IQ. I think those would be my two strongest points.” As for his weakest aspect, Starks stated, "Probably my defense."

Evan Anderson ’10, Eau Claire North (WI), Wisconsin
Last year the state of Wisconsin produce two big-time players in Jamil Wilson and Johnnie Lacy, both of whom chose to head out of state for college, picking Oregon and Providence respectively. This year, one of the Badger State's finest is staying home. Evan Anderson even cited the proximity of Wisconsin school as a reason why he picked the Big Ten school. “Location, being close to home, the style they’re playing, the way they use their big men [and] I’m kind of looking to the future . . . with the big men [they produce]. . . . The coaching staff is phenomenal. They’ve been phenomenal since [Bo ] Ryan [has] been there [as the head coach].” Anderson listed Kansas, Kentucky, Boston College, Iowa State, UCLA, North Carolina, and Marquette as his other finalists, so clearly he had the option to go out-of-state. Another Wisconsin star, Vander Blue, was set to join Anderson as a Badger, but he recently de-committed. “Not lately at all,” stated Evan on when he last spoke to Blue. Regarding whether the pair has a good relationship, Anderson remarked, “Kind of; we talk on the phone once in a while, but I haven’t talked to him since [the] winter. . . . I heard the de-commitment, but I wasn’t going to bother him about it.” The big man said he "pretty much" did grow up a Badger fan, but "became more of a fan later on." He knows what he has to do in order to become a more complete player for Bo Ryan, stating that "ball handling" is his main weakness. As for his biggest strength, Anderson listed “defense [and] shot blocking.”

Aaron Craft ’10, Liberty-Benton (OH), Ohio State
Aaron Craft is not the most skilled player in the country or the highest rated, but he is certainly one of the hardest-working. The point guard had originally committed to Tennessee, before re-opening things and pledging to Ohio State soon after. “It was closer to home. That’s kind of why we opened it back up in the first place. My grandparents and parents come to all my games [and] . . . it’s an hour and a half away, so I can go home if I need anything. . . . The recruiting class is great . . . and they needed a point guard, and I’m honored [they chose me].” Craft did state that when he dropped his commitment to UT, he was not 100% sure he would head to the local Big Ten institution. “I wasn’t dead-set on Ohio State. I knew their situation, but I just wanted to open it back up.” So just why did Craft pick the Volunteers in the first place? “It’s just a great school. [Head] Coach [Bruce] Pearl is a great guy. I thought I could fit [in] well [there]. . . . It’s nothing they did for me to de-commit. I just felt I should be closer to home.” Aaron, who uses the word "hardworking" to sum up his game, will be heading to Columbus with fellow All-Ohio Red—the best AAU team in the country—teammates Jared Sullinger '10 and Jordan Sibert '10. Did that duo push him to commit to OSU? “They were real cool about it. They would text me here and there, but they wanted what is best for me, and that says a lot about their personalities. . . . They were real excited [when I committed].” Another member of the powerhouse AAU squad, which has lost just two games since last April, Adreian Payne, is also heavily considering the Buckeyes. “Of course we’d love to have him there, . . . but it’s got to be what’s best for him and his family [and] . . . I wish him the best,” remarked Aaron on whether or not he would try to convince Payne to join the fold. What does Craft think about heading to college with his teammates? “I think it will be great. We stay together [ on the road, now]. . . . It will probably take a little getting used to. All families have their bumps and bruises, . . . but I think we’ll end up being real close.”

JT Terrell ’10, Cummings (NC), Wake Forest
One of the best scorers in the class of 2010, JT Terrell tied for the camp high in single game point total with 26. Terrell will bring his game to Wake Forest, which he selected over Miami and Virginia. “Really, I got to know the coaches. That, and I got to know the players. I visited the campus a few times. . . . Plus, they have been there since day one, so I thought that was the best school for me," stated JT on how hie picked Dino Gaudio and Co. The guard, who used the word "aggressive" to sum up his game, already has a relationship with his fellow future Demon Deacons in his class. “Melvin [Tabb and I have] been friends since we were real young. Travis [McKie and I have] been friends for a while. At [the] Pangos [Invitational] a few weeks ago, I got to meet Tony [Chenault], and we all hung out. . . . It seems like things are going to turn out real well.” Although he has told the world where he will go to college, JT said, “I’m not ready to announce [my high school for next year] yet," though he did admit he knows where he's headed.

Note- photos are from http://scouthoops.scout.com/