North Carolina is known for their standouts and one junior prospect has been doing on the court and on the football field.
Sage Surratt, a junior guard from East Lincoln, has been producing astonishing numbers this season, as the Mustangs are off to an 11-0 start.
Surratt has participated in the Phenom Hoop Report NC Top 80 this past year, where he showed that he can produce at a high level against the best.
“Not only is Surratt a standout shooting guard, he also carries multiple BCS level offers as a wide receiver. This year, for his high school team, the Top 80 alum led them to a 24-1 record and the State Title game. Surratt averaged 21 points and 7 boards per game. Surratt is a deft scorer in the mid range and beyond the arc.”
Surratt now is averaging 32.1 points per game, 9.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 3.2 steals this season.
This standout guard has been receiving interest from several schools like Clemson, Wake Forest (they have already offered for football though but they haven’t talked about both), Vanderbilt, Yale, Stanford, Brown University, and College of Charleston. He also holds a UNC offer for football with a walk-on spot.
Phenom Hoops caught up with the young man from Denver, North Carolina to get his take on what could be a tremendous junior year.
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Phenom Hoop: Congrats on a tremendous season so far Sage! You have been putting up some tremendous numbers so far this year.
Surratt: Yes sir, I’ve been trying!
PH: How has this season been for you and your team in your own words' What has been driving you as a player'
Surratt: Well, we have had a good start at 11-0 and have been playing team basketball. We have rebounded well for our size and that is big for us. We have had to step up our team defense and we have gotten a lot better at it. What’s been driving me is to win a state championship. That is my goal and the teams goal. The team and I have really worked hard to try and achieve that goal and are willing to do anything for it.
PH: In your own opinion, what have you been doing to put these types of numbers up this year'
Surratt: I have had to step up in a bigger role this year in the absence of my brother and I’m just trying to do what I can to win, so we can get back to the state championship. Just playing to win.
PH: Yeah, how has it been with him not being on the court with you this year and you being the guy teams key on a lot'
Surratt: He is still on the sideline, just not suited up of course. But yeah, it’s a different approach going into games because I know I’m going to get attention and it’s just a matter of getting good shots and getting teammates involved, so that they would pay attention to everyone.
PH: What have you worked on this offseason to prepare yourself this season' Know you have been very busy on the football field as well, so it can be difficult at times I’m sure.
Surratt: Yes, it is difficult sometimes but I’ve worked on my shot more, trying to get it better. Always trying to improve more. Also, I worked on ball handling and getting my footwork right for shots, such as coming off screens and pulls and such.
PH: We know East Lincoln is undefeated right now. How’s this team looking though in your opinion this year'
Surratt: We are looking good. We have our three core players that have been playing together for three years now. Myself, Cameron Dollar, and Haden Duggins; we know each others tendencies and what we like to do. So, we take advantage of that and get each other good looks. We are also the leaders on the team defensively. I think we are capable of making another title run. We just have to play hard, execute, and play team basketball.