There has been a lot of recent buzz directed at impact freshmen in a loaded ACC conference and it’s well deserved, among these groups the Wake Forest Demon Deacons brought in a class ranked 23rd nationally and fourth in the ACC according to 247Sports.
The class is headlined by two versatile wing prospects, five star Jaylen Hoard, and four star Isaiah Mucius. The combo guard duo of Jamie Lewis and Sharone Wright Jr could provide immediate fire power for a rebuilding back court.
Big man Christian Long joined the class from Hargrave Military Academy, and Wake’s most recent enrollee Charlotte native Mike Wynn offers an all around game on the perimeter.
Wynn was a highly sought after recruit in his own right, he held offers from Georgia Tech and Ole Miss among others. I caught up with him recently to speak about the team, expectations for year one, and also how underrated this class is nationally.
“ In year one with the Deacs I can definitely bring them a high level scorer and a defensive guy who takes pride in stopping the guy in front of him. Demons will also be getting someone who’s been around high level of play their whole life, this is nothing new to me.” Wynn told Phenom Hoops
Wynn comes from a winning pedigree all around both in the prep ranks with Liberty Heights and in travel ball with Team Loaded Va. At Liberty Heights Wynn was the floor general for a talented Cardinals program, they played a national level schedule and Wynn was tasked with guarding the oppositions top scoring option almost nightly. Wynn is a leader on the floor, he’s truly a team first player in an era where me is often valued over we.
Along with Team Loaded VA Wynn dominated the Adidas gauntlet, no matter the level of competition Wynn remained one of the most efficient guards on the floor. Wynn has a high basketball I.Q. he truly values the basketball.
This class offers a nice mix of upside and versatility on both ends of the floor, this group of freshmen can play multiple positions for the most part. At 6’6 Wynn is long and will smother smaller guards, Wynn is also physical enough to check opposing wings, and he will compete on the glass down low if needed.
Due to some early departures and lost transfers Wake Forest will need this core to grow up quickly if the Deacs want to dance again. They are talented but many aren’t household names around the nation just yet unlike some of their counterparts. That hasn’t shaken their focus according to Wynn.
“We are definitely underrated as a class but that doesn’t bother us nor will it affect us one bit. We won’t let anything outside of our brotherhood get to us. We have amazing coaches who are leading us in the right direction every single day. So I would say they have to worry about how they stack up against us.”
This group will continue to gain confidence and build towards getting this proud program back into the March action.
Wake lies within the heart of ACC country and these young Deacs will have a brand new clubhouse, and an entire city behind them!