Georgia prep star commits to WFU

By: By Dan Collins | JOURNAL REPORTER
Published: September 22, 2008

Ari Stewart committed to play basketball at Wake Forest yesterday and his mother didn't even try to hide her enthusiasm.

"We are Wake-bound, baby," Cine Stewart confirmed. "You just don't know how happy we are. Now he can focus on his senior year."

Stewart is a 6-7 forward from Wheeler High School in Marietta, Ga., who is considered one of the top prospects in the nation. Scout.com, an internet site specializing in recruiting, ranks Stewart the No. 12 small forward in his class.

Rivals.com, another internet recruiting site, gives Stewart a ranking of four stars out of a possible five and ranks him No. 53 among all players in his class.

He is considered a rangy, athletic wing with 3-point range who can create offense off the dribble.

NCAA rules prohibit college coaches from commenting on recruits until they sign letters of intent, but those familiar with Stewart's skills have speculated that he might play some wing guard in college.

Stewart made such a splash at the Nike Hoop Summit in St. Louis in June that the list of colleges interested in his services is as prominent as it is long. Clemson, Connecticut, Georgia, Michigan State, Alabama-Birmingham, Auburn, Georgia Tech and Virginia all recruited Stewart, but he ultimately picked the Deacons over Oregon and Xavier.

He is the second senior to commit to Wake Forest, joining C.J. Harris, a 6-2 wing guard from Mount Tabor High School in Winston-Salem who is ranked No. 26 among shooting guards. Two nationally ranked juniors, Tony Chenault and J.T. Terrell, have also committed to Wake Forest. Chenault is a 6-1 point guard from Philadelphia ranked No. 14 at his position by Scout.com and Terrell is a 6-3 small forward from Burlington Cummings High school ranked No. 20 at his position by Scout.com.