Aug 03, 2015 12:08 PM EDT By Russell Westerholm, UniversityHerald Reporter

Without much to brag about on the recruiting trail this offseason, N.C. State was pleasantly surprised to see Maverick Rowan not only commit, but reclassify to this season.

Rowan confirmed his decision to ESPN.com, stating he will graduate high school earlier than anticipated thanks to some summer courses. The Fort Lauderdale, Fla. prospect cited a strong relationship with N.C. State's coaching staff and an appreciation for a recent Wolfpack alum.

"Great relationship with the coaches, [Mark] Gottfried and [Orlando] Early," Rowan told ESPN.com. "They have been loyal and stayed with me through everything this year. Gottfried does a great job for his wings, and I feel I can go in and be the same type of player T.J. Warren and Trevor Lacey were."

247 Sports gave Rowan a composite score of 0.9842, ranking him fifth overall in the state of Florida and the seventh overall at small forward. Rowan also ranked 30th overall in the ESPN 100, but in the class of 2016. Rowan was also considering offers from Louisville, North Carolina, St. John's, Wisconsin, and UCLA.

That said, N.C. State did not even place among ESPN's class rankings for the current recruiting class, and Rowan provides a much-needed boost, especially since ACC foe Duke is currently ruling the recruiting trail.

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