Clemson offers rising North Carolina guard

Clemson's basketball coaching staff has been active this week dishing out offers after scouting prospects last weekend a the major AAU events in South Carolina and Georgia. One went to 6-foot-6 guard Nate Hinton of Gastonia, N.C. The Tigers joined Pitt, Miami, Oklahoma State, Maryland, Auburn, Arkansas, VCU, Penn State and Indiana.

"I'm excited about the offer," Hinton said. "Clemson has been off and on with me for a couple years now and finally, with hard work, they moved the offer forward. One of the newest assistant coaches, Dean Reynolds, recruited me while he was at Rhode Island. Now that he is at Clemson we've continued that relationship."

Living in ACC country, Hinton is able to keep an eye on the teams around the league so he's very familiar with Brad Brownell and the Tigers.

"I think the program is headed in the right direction," he said. "The culture of the program is definitely making a jump upward along with renovating the arena. I do plan to get down Clemson either the first week of August for a unofficial or sometime in the fall."

At this point, Hinton said, no favorites have emerged for him.

"Right now I am just taking it all in and focusing on having the best July that Nate Hinton can have. After July I will discuss with my family about college and I will go from there. My sole visit is to the University of Houston on the second week of August."

Hinton was a standout in his AAU outings last weekend so his stock has risen.

"Coaches are liking my leadership and the way I approach the game," Hinton said. "My handle has gotten a lot better as well as my shot."

Last season he averaged 19 points per game.