In front of a room of nearly 200 enthused Pack fans and fully decked out in NC State gear, Ryan Harrow signed his L.O.I. at 12:05pm, making it official that he will attend NC State in 2010. Seated next to his mother, father, brother-in-law, sister and and high school coach, with highlight reels rolling in the background, Ryan spoke about his decision, his future at NC State and talked about his dream of bringing home a national championship to Raleigh. The room was filled with excitement as Pack fans chanted his name and erupted into cheers after Ryan officially inked his name on the scholarship papers and the letter of intent. (which his mother immediately faxed to the school after the signing)
The event began with Erasto Hatchett, Ryan's brother-in-law and coach at Word of God Academy, thanking everybody for coming out and supporting Ryan over the past year and a half. He spoke of Ryan's character and his drive to be the best, and thanked all those who have helped along the way.
Hatchett's speech was followed by very telling comments by Walton coach Joe Goydish, who let the Wolfpack fan's know what a treat it's been to be able to coach such a talented and charismatic young man. He explained how Coach Lowe believed in Ryan from the very beginning and how he thinks Ryan is certainly, now, one of the ten best players in the nation.
Next was Ryan's father, who has been quiet and behind the scenes during this entire recruitment. The emotion in his tone was obvious as he talked of Ryan's motivation and drive to excel. Tears of joy filled his eyes when he explained to the Wolfpack fans how proud Ryan has made him as not only a player, but as a young man.
The mic went back to Ryan as he opened up the floor for questions. One of the more interesting questions came from a woman who wanted to know who the guy was that Ryan was throwing all the alley-oops to in the highlight reels ,referring to Wolfpack recruit CJ Leslie, who just so happened to be sitting 15 feet from Ryan, taking in the excitement while taking down an order of hot wings. "I know CJ is going to make the right decision. I don't know what he's waiting for." said Ryan, making those in attendance burst out in an excited laughter.
After the question and answer session, it was time to eat. Most Wolfpack fans stuck around and ordered wings, talking about the bright future that seems to be approaching in Raleigh. While they ate, Harrow took it upon himself to make rounds around the restaurant, talking to Wolfpack fans and thanking them for the support.
The event was unlike any signing day we've ever witnessed. The scene itself told the story of the passion and enthusiasm that the NC State fans encompass. For the first time in a long time, Wolfpack fans feel that the program is finally turning the corner. We spoke to one fan in attendance who had this to say. "This was amazing. It just is evidence that the Wolfpack fans are the most passionate fans in the world. Nobody cares about their program like we do. I've never heard of a signing day party like this, and even with the bad weather, this many fans showed up? It's amazing. It's great for Ryan and NC State is on it's way back to the top, you better believe that."
The pure excitement that Ryan brings to the court each game was found on the patio at Sammy's today. His charisma, quick wit, and loyalty to the NC State program had those in attendance walking away impressed. The mood is slowly changing in Raleigh. The storied NC State program that helped build the ACC, is quietly inching it's way back with the help and recruiting efforts of one of it's own, head coach Sidney Lowe.
We have tons more to come on this event. Keep checking back for:
-Full video coverage of the speeches and the signing
-A video interview with Ryan Harrow
-A video interview with CJ Leslie
-Quotes from Coach Hatchett, his mother and Ryan himself
*Here are some pictures we shot at the event:
comments
57 Responses to "Ryan Harrow Is Officially A Wolfpacker"any word on why Luke Cothron didn't sign?
I seriously cant believe my eyes... CJ leslie coming to the event, plus our other top rated gaurd signing(Larenzo Brown), and ryan harrow is official. i honestly cant ait for the 2010-2011 season (and im not looking past the one at hand). we also have a great freshman this year in scott wood. the depth will be ridiculous!
It's in the previous thread about Ryan's signing. This is a big day for Ryan and his family. Let's try to stay on topic in this thread.
I've been waiting for this day for a long long time
Congratulations Ryan! You've taken an important step in your life. Welcome to the Wolfpack family.
Congrats again Ryan on becoming an official member of the Wolfpack. Can't wait to see you running the offense on the road back to glory. The "Swtiching of the 'Guards'" has commenced..
Man oh man, I just got chills up and down my spine. I wish I could have been there!!!
It's funny how something like this holds so much importance in our lives, but it does, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
It's all changing, and I'm glad that for the most part, we as NC STATE fans have weathered the storm, kept our chins up, and remained positive. It is only going to make our return to prominence that much more SWEET!!!
THANKS AGAIN TO WPH FOR THEIR CONTINUING GREAT COVERAGE OF ALL THINGS NC STATE BB!!!
sunday monday HAPPYDAYS
tuesday wedensday HAPPYDAYS
thursday friday HAPPYDAYS
THIS IS THE BIGGEST EXCITMENT I HAVE FELT AROUND 1 RECRUIT IN 30 YEARS!!!
^ or "much SWEETER." I should have said.
Welcome Home Ryan!
Tank04
The road isn't going to be easy as evidenced by the classes that 7 other ACC schools are bringing in with some of the top PGs in the country. But having Harrow and Brown leading the way will certainly increase our chances. Pack on some muscle Ryan, you'll need it next year.
This is truly a great day for all Wolfpackers. Welcome to the family Ryan!
STOKEY STOKE STOKEY...de STOKED, STOKED, STOKED!!!
I AM (officially) P-U-M-P-E-D!!!
I dont mean to compare the two players, because its IMPOSSIBLE to compare to DT, but Ryan has alot of similarities to Thompson when he was first coming to state. Both extremly talented explosive players, both very soft spoken (alomst takes ppl back how soft his voice is). I dont mean to build him up that much but its just interesting to me in the similarities....
Its now a fact, Ive become usless at work this afternoon...
Yes, this day is all about Ryan and Zo. Let's talk about the others tomorrow. It was nice to meet our PG of the future today.
Great day to be a wolfpacker! You're part of the family now, Ryan.
Oh, and not to brag but I started the RYAN HARROW chant. haha
PL, I know what you're saying, and why you said it the way you did. You're talking about what many would consider the best ever to even set foot on a collegiate BB court at any time, and ANYWHERE. That is some pretty lofty company for sure.
I believe Ryan Harrow will be a major factor in elevating this BB program to greater heights not only on, but off the BB court as well. From what I've read and seen thusfar, I am more than happy, elated even, that Ryan Harrow is our #1 recruit at the PG position for 2010. I don't think we could have asked for anything better.
BTW, PL, what does "this afternoon" have to do with it?
Wolfcop, it was noon, you weren't drunk and making a spectacle of yourself AGAIN, were you?
I wish i could have been there to support Ryan and his family. What a great turnout considering the freaking tsunami over Raliegh today.
Ryan is obviously a great kid with a bright future. I love the fact he took the time to walk around and thank fans for showing up. That tells me all I need to know about him. I would have gone but unfortunately I work for a living. Man, I wish I was Harrow's age again. I'm getting old.
RF too funny! I guess technically "this afternoon" could be interchangeable with "any afternoon".
I posted this on the other article:
I'm not sure if any of you saw this but I think it's worth being noted. When I first sat down I saw a fan sitting directly in front of Ryan's table (he may be a poster, he seems involved) put his hat on the table where the white hats were originally placed. Later, when Ryan entered and put a hat on, he deliberately put on the fan's hat and wore it for the rest of the event. I don't know if he kept it or signed it and gave it back or what, but I think it was pretty awesome that he decided to show his appreciation to a fan the way he did.
Man, I'm so excited about this. I feel like a kid waking up on christmas day with a room full of toys.
Welcome to the family Ryan.
WPH, thanks for all you do, we really appreciate it.
RF,
lol I don't get drunk brother. I did want a beer, but did not have time. It was all the waitress could do to get some wings out to us. It was packed!
WolfCop...you were plain and simple heroic today.
WPH-
LOL...I wanted to meet you man. Were you the one wearing red? hahaha
I'm just kidding around. It's great that you folks went out on a miserable day like today to show support for the BB program and to let Ryan and his parents know what NC STATE fans are really all about.
Wolfcop, drunk or not, I'm proud of ya boy!
Good to have you on board Ryan! I look foward to the excitement you , Lorenzo, Luke, and hopefully your boy will bring to this program.
Redfred,
I need to know what kind of car you drive. hahaha
Sorry for all of the posts, I'm just a little excited at the moment, but one more quick question, and not that it matters, but is he really 5'11"?
RF, I have a picture where I am standing next to Ryan. I am a hair under 5'11". Ryan looks close to 2 inches taller than me. So, I'd say that 6'1" sounds about right.
A good day for the Pack!
Wolfcop,
Nope. one of us was wearing a dark gray sweater with red stripes and the other was wearing a button down...black with red stripes.
haha...yeah, I was joking cause there were about 100 people wearing red. Maybe we will get to meet you at the next big event.
Thanks wolfcop. You're my height then. Funny how we both type much taller.
Seriously though, I thought Ryan might be a little taller than reported. Like I said earlier, it doesn't really matter. I remember watching the video which included he and CJL playing together, where you saw a kid with the ball cocked way back over his head, slamming it through the rim. At the time I thought to myself, "Damn, Leslie does look good!" It wasn't until he turned to go back down court, that I realized it wasn't Leslie at all, it was instead our own 5'11"/6'1" Ryan Harrow. I about soiled my britches right then and there.
Regardless of his height, he can get up with the best of them.
Oh yeah, I don't think I'll be divulging any info around these parts regarding what type of vehicle I drive.
I spoke to Ryan and he thanked me and my friend a couple of times for coming, while we were thanking him for coming to State. Very nice kid. I asked if he was staying for the game tomorrow night and said he was headed back home to study for a math test in the morning. I told him to hit the books hard and he said he would.
I am also about 5' 11" and he had me by a couple of inches.
w00t!
I had plans to attend today with my two girls but bad weather unfortunately requires me to be on call. But I am very excited about Ryan H. GO PACK!!!
Did CJ look as if he was wishing that could be him? I was shocked to find out that CJ was there and I'm wondering the implications of his presence could mean regarding his status with the Pack. I'm inclined to think that his presence there can only mean good things and I'm wondering if there are any substantiated reports that could back up my thoughts. As for Ryan, this is absolutely great news and as many others have already mentioned, he is going to do wonders for NC State athletics. I haven't been this excited about NC State sports in a long, long time.
I have high hopes for CJ Leslie choosing NC State. His top three are State, Kentucky and Florida. He blew off Kentucky's midnight madness, and he also blew off a scheduled visit to Florida on November 6th. And he's been seen hanging around with current NC State basketball players (allegedly), he's best buddies with Ryan Harrow, and he was at his signing party today. This HAS to give us hope that he might come here.
Sidney Lowe also said something interesting in this article:
http://www.accsports.com/articles/200911096392/nc-state-preview-better-chemistry-step-in-right-direction.php
Sidney Lowe: "What I look for is progress in our team," Lowe said. "That includes recruiting the type of players that can take us to the next level. We have a good recruiting class this year and, moving forward, things are bright. That's all I'm gonna say. I can't say names, but things are bright."
Sidney can't say names. Maybe he knows something about CJL? I'm not sayin', I'm just sayin'.....
Anybody on here that's not 5'11"?
Are we all...just alike...even clones possibly? What the hell is going on here? It's the government, they're behind this? This is like a bad sci'fi movie in black and white.
We're all sitting behind the same computers, typing about the exact same thing, we're all exactly 5'11" tall, and we're all doomed!!! DOOMED, I tell ya!!!
AHHHHHHHHhhhhhhh hhh hh hh h...
TruthBKnown...He couldn't say names for anyone until they signed their LOI. Most likely he was talking about Ryan Harrow, Lorenzo Brown and Luke Cothron, but couldn't say their names since they had not yet signed their LOI.
Now once again, let's respect Ryan Harrow and not talk about CJ Leslie (although he's a great player and deserves his own respect) on Ryan Harrow's big day. This has to be exciting not only for Harrow, but also his family. Congrats Ryan.
TruthBKnown Returns-Nice find on that article.
What I also found (perhaps more so intriguing) was the following quote.
“I won’t mention names, but we’ve had players who have been more about themselves, would rather score 30 points than N.C. State win the game,” Mays said. “We also had players trying to get other players to turn against the coach and get them on their page instead of Coach’s page. When you’ve got individuals like that, you can’t win."
In any event, great day for Ryan Harrow and great day for State! I really look foreward to seeing this kid play in red and white. I think our eye's are all big right now becuase we're hungry. As I'm certain this kid can handle presure, I for one em willing to let him come into his own here at his pace. If he matures quick great! But there's no need for him to carry the weight his shoulders; and quite honestly... with the way things are shaping up with this years recruits plus Cothron and Lo Brown... there won't be a need to. Wecome aboard!
By the way redfred, I'm 5'7" and 3 quarters.
WPH, I take it that Lorenzo Brown did sign today also?
Maybe I missed it in all of the excitement, but I haven't seen anything definitive on Brown's signing this evening.
Fred...Lo Brown didn't sign a LOI today because you only sign one of those. He did sign his scholarship papers today.
Spoke with Luke Cothron a few minutes ago and we'll have a story on him tomorrow.
He had a monster game, dropping 42 and cleaning up 12 boards against national powerhouse Oak Hill.
btw, Redfred,
That '5'11 clones' post made my night.
Damn, Luke put it on 'em didn't he.
So, I take it that you're 5'11" also WPH?
Nope. more like 5'8/5'9...but loved the post none the less
Hey shorty, uh sorry, I meant to say Afterglow. I started to say almost the exact same thing you did about Harrow's new teammates at NC State, but as it related to CJL instead.
Maybe I'm jumping the gun just a might here, but the way I see it, taking the events of today into account, the complimentary cast of characters that NC State has to offer CJ Leslie in 2010 is about as good anything going out there. It may be younger than some, but there is no doubt that it does have the talent.
I'm sold on Ryan Harrow, as is most everyone else I think, but from what I've seen, I think Lorenzo Brown has not yet been given the credit he deserves, and he is going to be a H-U-G-E FACTOR for the PACK as well. You take those two guys, add the entire roster from this season, with the single exception of Horner who graduates of course, and you've got a pretty nice nucleus of talent to build upon. THEN you add to that BIG LUKE Cothron, and on top of that CJ Leslie, and you have a roster that's right up there with the best of them, if not BETTER!!!
Ryan Harrow seems to me to be one of those rare individuals who has a positive influence on almost anyone he comes in contact with, and just a great person to be around in general. Leslie seems to know that. If Leslie signs elsewhere, it'll be because he's surrounded himself with people who think with a mob mentality, and who do things because it's what everyone else does. People who cannot understand the importance of having a relationship like that can mean.
Wolfpack Fans,
Completely off topic. I have 2 ticket to the game tommorow night at 7 p.m. however my fiance can't make it so I am driving up by myself. I have 1 ticket left. Would someone like to buy it from me. Its section 104 row R its nice seats. I will sell below face value. 20 bucks gets you the ticket. Let me know !
Just saw CJ Leslie on wral news from Sammy's today say "I came to show my lil homie some love, he's like my little brother."
WPH...great coverage and thanks for all you do for NC State basketball indirectly of course. :-D
There will be a good deal of talent in the ACC backcourt but the Harrow and Brown combo could be the best tandem in the conference.
Scott Wood is the best shooter in the ACC without question...that is a nasty trio.
Add the BIGS we have now along with Cothron and hopefully CJ Leslie...holy cow!
Wow, the future is looking very bright in Raleigh and good times are within sight.
Go Pack!
WPH,
Saw the Flora game against Oak Hill...his points/rebs don't tell the story (although I doubt the reb total). Flora's guards were obviously outmatched...Doron Lamb doesn't look like a player, but he is the real deal.
Cothron took whole series off, meaning not even getting down the floor to play defense. If he didn't have the ball, there was nothing.
At one point, Doron (a 2 guard) covered Luke after Luke drained 4 3 pointers in a row...against a smaller guard, he got shut down.
Also saw him take plenty of trips to the water cooler, so maybe he was ill?
I know there are some that would say they will take a lazy 43 any night, but you can't let your team play 5 on 4 very long, or quit on the offensive end if you don't get the basket.
PS - refs were also terrible, and Luke was obviously frustrated.
Eric,
If he's frustrated with the refs now............
Honestly, there may have been something wrong, something in the scheme, something about the frustration that lead to that poor defensive performance. There is plenty of hustle in Big Luke. Also, I'm sure that a long AAU summer and the beginning of a very tough schedule/preseason can take a toll on a kid that's 6'8"/6'9". I'm not trying to make excuses for the guy, I'm just trying to put things into perspective. And, yes, I would take a 43 point night over Oak Hill any day/night.
BTW, RedFred, I'm 5'8" and shrinking. And, if the government has been controlling me, they aren't very good at it.
Oh, and just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean that they aren't out to get you.
Go Pack!
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