http://www.nbebasketball.com/w3/2010-1116/st-johns-adds-seventh-member-of-2011-recruiting-class-with-dwight-meikle/ST. JOHN’S ADDS SEVENTH MEMBER OF 2011 RECRUITING CLASS WITH DWIGHT MEIKLE
November 16, 2010 by NBE Blogger
BY JEFF BORZELLO
Steve Lavin has made waves in the recruiting world by picking up highly-ranked recruits from across the country before even coaching a game for St. John’s.
Well, despite the Red Storm’s loss last night to Saint Mary’s, Lavin did not miss a beat on the recruiting trail, picking up yet another commitment today.
This pledge comes from Dwight Meikle, an under-the-radar prospect from Quality Education Academy (N.C.). Meikle, a 6-foot-9 forward, is fellow Red Storm signee Sir’Dominic Pointer’s roommate.
“He was all geared up to go to Seton Hall, to be honest, but players recruit players,” QEA coach Isaac Pitts said. “With him and Dominic being roommates, I guess they got to talking.”
Not many people saw this commitment coming, but Pitts said the relationship between Lavin and Meikle had been developing for a while.
“Coach Lavin came down to see him, and loved him right away,” Pitts said. “They saw him and offered him on the spot. They knew what they were doing.”
When Meikle took a trip to the Queens campus, it basically solidified the deal for him.
“He loved the campus and the atmosphere,” Pitts said.” I think he saw it as a quiet place, sort of like our school, with small classrooms and a family atmosphere. He said, ‘This is the place for me.’”
According to Pitts, Meikle is a face-up four who can stretch the defense with his shooting ability. He is also athletic and can handle the ball well for a player his size. Overall, he seems like a match-up problem.
Meikle chose the Red Storm over Seton Hall and Rice, with Alabama, Georgia State, Appalachian State and VCU also in the mix.
Meikle flew under the radar nationally last season, coming off the bench for a supremely talented Quality Education squad. The frontcourt was comprised of Juvonte Reddic (VCU), Aaron Bowen (Georgetown) and Quincy Miller (Baylor), while Stargell Love (Baylor) manned the point.
“We were loaded last year,” Pitts said. “So he didn’t get on the floor, playing behind guys like that.”
He began to get some attention this summer, but he was still not getting much high-major attention. That all changed when Lavin came to QEA.
“When you see him, you’re going to have the same reaction Steve Lavin did: ‘Wow, how did his happen?’” Pitts said. “He’s that good.
“I think he’s a five-star kid. He slipped under the radar. For whatever reason, people weren’t able to see him play.”
Meikle, an Atlanta native who lives on Long Island, is the seventh member of the St. John’s recruiting class, joining Pointer, Nurideen Lindsey, D’Angelo Harrison, Maurice Harkless, Norvel Pelle and JaKarr Sampson.
Pitts said Meikle’s impact would be on par with the more highly-touted prospects St. John’s is bringing in.
“He’s going to make an immediate impact with Lavin bringing in 10 scholarship players,” Pitts said. “He’s no different than the other guys, except for the rankings. He’s going to make a major impact in coach Lavin’s program.
“This is unbelievable, how good he is.”