Preps

Barons star commits to N.C. State

By JOHN C. COTEY
Published November 23, 2004

St. Petersburg Catholic forward Aaron Holmes loved the campus, loved the offensive system, loved the way North Carolina State practiced and got to meet Larry Bird, who was there scouting Wolfpack guard Julius Hodge.

All in all, he said, a perfect trip. So upon returning two weeks ago, Holmes decided not to wait.

Saturday Holmes gave N.C. State coach Herb Sendek, who was attending Barons practice, a verbal commitment. He can't sign an official letter of intent until next year because he's only a junior.

Holmes, the Times All-County and All-Suncoast Player of the Year in 2003-04, becomes N.C. State's first commitment of their 2006 class.

"I just fell in love with their system," said Holmes, who led the Barons to a state runner-up finish last season. "And they showed me a lot of love."

A lot more, he said, than the dozens of schools that have been pursuing him since this summer, when he exploded onto the AAU scene playing for the Tallahassee Wildcats.

Holmes was named a top 50 junior by just about every recruiting service, and saw interested in him increase tenfold.

"Before the summer, I had three schools looking at, pretty much the Florida schools," Holmes said. "After the summer, I had Georgia Tech, UConn, Wake Forest, N.C. State, Xaiver all looking at me, and some others."

Holmes settled on N.C. State for a number of reasons, including playing time. Led by Hodge, the Wolfpack have a strong group of guards that will graduate by the time Holmes arrives.

Though his commitment is non-binding, Holmes says he is firm and will not make any other visits.

Holmes scored 46 points Monday night in a preseason game against Florida Prep. At 6 feet 5, he can play any position for the Barons, but will be a point guard, shooting guard or small forward in college.

Last year, he led Pinellas County in scoring at 20.8 points a game and ranked among the leaders in every other category.

Defensively, he might be the county's best.

Holmes is the second consecutive Times All-Suncoast Player of the Year to choose N.C. State. In 2003, Largo's Mike O'Donnell signed with the Wolfpack, but has since transferred to Central Florida.

[Last modified November 23, 2004, 00:12:19]