During a stretch of time in the middle of October, into November, 2010, it seemed news broke nearly every week, announcing another top recruit was headed to Queens, New York to play for Coach Steve Lavin and what some have dubbed the “reborn” St. John’s Red Storm. By the end of the early signing period, eight players had signed their names on the dotted line, including six ESPN Top 100 recruits and a highly-regarded Junior College guard. There was, though, one name, the elusive eighth, with which few were familiar, that of Quality Education Academy’s (N.C.) Dwight Meikle.
Meikle, a 6’9”, 185 lb. forward who is averaging nearly 13 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game in his senior year at Quality Ed., was an unfamiliar name to many fans when he signed his National Letter of Intent on November 16th. But, the Rockville Centre, New York native won’t let his underpublicized stock affect his approach to the game when he steps on the big stage next season. “I like being ‘under-the-radar,” said Meikle. “It’s like you’ve never seen me before, and I can show you what I can do.”
Being the second recruit in the Class of 2011 with New York-area ties (the other being former Forest Hills (Queens) forward Maurice Harkless), Meikle’s signing is furthering Steve Lavin’s commitment to, as the first year head coach put it, “be able to recruit in our own backyard.”
Hailing from the metro area, Meikle moved to Baltimore in the 6th grade, where he stayed until moving on to Decatur, Georgia in time for his junior year of high school. Playing one season at Southwest Academy, he transferred to Quality Education Academy for his senior year. “I was slipping in my grades and I wanted to get away so I could focus,” said Meikle. “And, also, I got a lot more visibility for basketball.”
It is this visibility and the promise of playing against top competition every game that has made Dwight Meikle’s time at Quality Education essential in his growth as a basketball player; a player who is now headed to play high-major college basketball.
The recruitment of Meikle and the story of his journey that lands him in Queens is a bit of an unconventional one.
Recruited by schools that include Charlotte, Wichita State, and Seton Hall, among others, Meikle was not on the Johnnies’ radar until the staff noticed his talents while recruiting fellow Quality Education forward and now fellow St. John’s signee, Sir’Dom Pointer. Meikle was originally going to commit to St. John’s without visiting the campus, citing how highly Pointer, who also happens to be Meikle’s roommate, had spoken about the staff, the program, and the prospect of playing on the same court in college.
But, Coach Lavin convinced him to come take a look at New York before committing. “Coach Lavin is easy to talk to and the coaching staff was like a family,” Meikle said of his recruitment. “They took me to Manhattan and to see the Garden. That was a great experience.”
Here, Meikle echoes a sentiment that has been heard from other recruits when they speak about the job Steve Lavin did in luring them to Queens. There is an emerging difference in the perception of St. John’s, not only in New York, but across the country. As Nate Blue, a close advisor to Maurice Harkless, said, “When we’ve sat down with Lavin, he was calm and had a plan. [He] appeals to kids from New York City to California. It’s national.”
On the court, at 6’9” tall, Meikle creates matchup problems at either of the two forward positions. Because of his size, he is longer and taller than most small forwards and, because of his athleticism, when moved down to power forward, he can face up and attack the rim. ESPN Senior Recruiting Analyst Dave Telep said of Meikle, “He’s in between positions in terms of being a power forward or three man. I liked his rebounding instincts and thought he was excellent off the catch and shoot.”
“I really don’t get caught up in that. That’s the politics of basketball. I just go out and play.” Dwight Meikle
When looking at the physical build of Dwight Meikle, it is clear to see that he is consistent with the theme that has run throughout Lavin’s 2011 recruiting class: lengthy and athletic wing players who can play stingy defense and run the floor. Joining fellow signees JaKarr Sampson (6’8”), Norvel Pelle (6’9”), Amir Garrett (6’6”), and the aforementioned Harkless (6’8”), and Pointer (6’6”), Meikle will add depth to a front court that looks like it will be very effective in Lavin’s system of full court, fast pace, fast break, and pressure basketball.
Aside from his readily-apparent shot-blocking ability and solid rebounding fundamentals, Meikle’s versatility is likely his most compelling skill. “I’m able to run the floor or play a slow game,” he said. “I like to face up and play mid-range, or have my back to the basket.” His ability to both get down on the block to score as well as knock down jumpers from the outside will make him an interesting match-up for defenses in the Big East next season, as his future coach explains:
“[Dwight] is a long, highly-skilled athlete who really shoots it well for his size,” said Lavin. “His versatility and ability to play the power and small forward positions make him a great fit for the future of our program, in terms of our game-planning.”
But, for all that he brings to the basketball court, there is another side to Dwight Meikle. “I just like to have fun, doesn’t matter where you go. We could go to the mall, walk around, go to the movies, just hang around the house,” Meikle mused when asked about life off the court. “If you’re hanging with me, we’re gonna have a good time.”
Meikle, also a music enthusiast, has an iPod that features artists that highlight northern rap influences where he was born (Jay-Z and Kanye West), as well as the South, where he has spent the last several years of his life (Lil’ Boosie and St. John’s alum J. Cole). “When I went to visit, they told me J. Cole had graduated from there. I didn’t know that; I thought that was pretty cool,” said Meikle.
When the time comes and Dwight Meikle arrives on St. John’s campus to begin his career as a student-athlete, things will come full-circle for him. Born in the metro area, doing much of his maturing and growing up in the South, he will be returning to the city to play in front of many proud friends and family. But, how long will the “under-the-radar” label stick? To Dwight Meikle, it really doesn’t seem to matter. When asked, he answers in words and a tone that speak to his maturity: “I really don’t get caught up in that. That’s the politics of basketball. I just go out and play.”
Update: Meikle was released from his National Letter of Intent April 20th, 2011. Read more here.
