Published: 12:00 AM, Sun Jun 13, 2010
Wesley first Village Christian basketball recruit since investigation
By Jaclyn Shambaugh
Correspondent
As recently as a couple of years ago, college basketball coaches regularly stopped by the Village Christian Academy gym to check out the school's talent.
Those trips stopped abruptly in August 2008, when, at the urging of the school, the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association opened a probe into alleged recruiting violations, stemming from the arrival of several foreign players. Although it was eventually cleared, colleges have remained reluctant to recruit from VCA ever since.
But that might be changing. Tim Wesley, who graduated from VCA last week, recently signed a letter-of-intent to play next season at Guilford Technical Community College.
Wesley is the first recruited VCA player to advance to a college team since the controversy, which began at a time when several Division I schools, including North Carolina and Wake Forest, were showing interest in some of its players. The probe resulted in the exit of coach Brian Phillips, who was replaced by Don Skelton.
"I think some people look at this program and want to know if it's about winning," Skelton said. "This program is about sending grown men to college. That's why I'm so adamant about coaching."
Wesley is the perfect ambassador for a program still rebuilding its reputation. The son of a pastor and a counselor, he's known to have a superior work ethic and a strong belief in traditional values.
Wesley started playing basketball as a seventh-grader, participating in recreation leagues before moving up to AAU. He's worked hard to polish his game. At 6-foot-7, he's known as a defensive stopper after averaging 13 rebounds and two blocked shots a game last season. He's also improved on offense, averaging 12.8 points as a senior.
That work ethic is visible off the court, too. The middle child in a family of three sons, Tim rarely asks his parents for anything, instead opting to earn his way.
When Wesley decided he needed a car, he took a job at Northview Lanes, balancing school, work and basketball while saving up to buy a Jeep.
"He's been a man ever since he was about 14 years old," said Tim's father, Titus. "He's been cutting grass and making his own money. He bought all his own school clothes. He took a job to save up to buy a car. He doesn't want anything from me. He wants to earn it."
"This is just the way it should be," Tim Wesley said. "If you want something, you should work for it."
Both Wesley and Skelton had to work hard to get college's to pay attention. Although he was being recruited by several in-state colleges, VCA's recent problems were proving to be a deterrent. And because Skelton was new, he didn't have the connections that more seasoned coaches rely on. That forced him to spend hours cold-calling schools to drum up interest in Wesley.
"You don't really see the work that Coach does," Tim said. "He's not about telling you about all the work that he's doing behind the scenes. But you just start to see college coaches showing up and calling."
Skelton downplays his role in the process, saying that after about a month of contacting college coaches, his job suddenly became a lot easier.
"I didn't have to call any more," Skelton said. "They started calling me. I got calls all day. The Guilford coach called me at midnight. I put all his stats on MaxPreps.com. I told them that his work speaks for itself."
True to his nature, Wesley chose Guilford Tech for practical reasons.
"I thought I'd do well at a smaller school," Wesley said. "It'll be an easier transition for me."
Wesley says he would like to play at a four-year school after completing his two years at Guilford Tech, specifically mentioning North Carolina A&T as a possibility. Considering his focus and determination, that seems a goal he's likely to achieve. But should that plan fall through, GTCC offers architectural design - a degree he's interested in pursuing.
Wesley's recruitment proves that the Village Christian program is healing. But Skelton says that even if that weren't the case, he'd have been thrilled to be helping Wesley because he's such a good kid.
"Honestly, he's the best player I've ever coached," Skelton said. "He did everything I ever asked him to do on the court. I had to do something special for him because he's the kind of player who only comes along once."