Unsigned Senior: Devonte Pettaway
PrepHoopsNC scout and contributor Tony Bruton told me about a player from North Pitt High School earlier in the season as a player to keep an eye on. Tony is from Kinston, North Carolina and has a eye for under the radar talent. The player was Devonte Pettaway and he was a player I was really excited about seeing for the first time at The Justin Byerly Upstate/WNC Showcase.
Leading up to the event, Pettaway was busy scoring 29.4 points, dishing out 4 assists and grabbing 6 rebounds per game for North Pitt High School who he helped to a 19-8 overall record on the season. The 6-foot guard can score from all areas on the court, is very athletic, and has a high basketball IQ. He is hard to guard in the open floor and has a really good court vision in transition or in the half-court set. He has the ability to get past defenders with his dribble or crossover and can attack the paint. He has a strong upper-body that allows him to finish with contact in the lane. He can finish with either hand at the rim. He is a good defender that keeps his man in front of him and is good at anticipating steals. Pettaway has the ability to play at a lower level Division One program but could come into a Division Two school and be a difference-maker from day one.
Head Coach Vic Finora of Mars Hill University was in attendance at The Upstate/Showacase and liked what he saw. Pettaway has a visit scheduled to Mars Hill University for April 14th.
For Pettaway and what college programs should notice besides his ability to play basketball is that he boasts at 3.4 GPA. He is a good student and will not be a recruit to worry about once the college work is assigned.