Ernest Shelton

10/28: "the White Station HS star had verbally committed to Alabama to play with his good friend, Maurice Williams. "I just really liked the coaching staff, the school and the players a lot," said Shelton from his Memphis area home last night. "I'm really close with Mo Williams, so I just went ahead and did it." Shelton chose 'Bama over Wake Forest and Tennessee. He announced at his house during a press conference after school, according to sources. Also a fine student, Shelton carries a 3.2 GPA and is fully qualified." - High Major Hoops

8/8: "It's hard to pin down Earnest Shelton, a 6'3 2G from White Station HS in Memphis, TN, on a list of schools, but a little probing and prodding revealed that Memphis, Tennessee, Georgetown, Alabama, Georgia, and Wake Forest have all offered scholarships and been in contact recently. He maintains that he doesn't really have a list yet, and that there are other schools that he is also considering, but we think that at least 4 of those 6 all have a pretty good shot to make the final cut. Shelton holds a 3.0 GPA and a 21 ACT score. He scored 21 points per game while leading his team to a 34-4 record and the State Title. He took an unofficial visit to Memphis back in June." - All Star Report

7/29: 8th best SG in the USA.
"Sometimes you can lose Shelton on the floor because he is not one of those high-flying, above the rim types. Instead he plays the game in a very methodical style. He hits his shots, completes his passes and scores when necessary. If he goes to Memphis, they could end up having one of the best classes in the nation. (Memphis, Tennessee, Duke, UNC, Ohio State, Cincinnati, and Kentucky)" - Fastbreak


7/24: "Guard Ernest Shelton (White Station High in Memphis), whose jump shot was erratic during the Youth Sports Festival in Colorado Springs last month and during the Nike All-America Camp earlier in July, has been back on target the first two days of the tournament.
The 6-foot-2 Shelton averaged 27.3 points for the Memphis YMCA to lead all scorers in the three-game, pool-play portion of the event before his team was eliminated in bracket play, 86-81, by All-Ohio Sunday night." - Frank Burlison, FoxSports

7/23: "It was Shelton's team that destroyed (David) Lee's team today. Although Shelton has not had a huge summer he looked very, very good today. He hit at least four threes today and did not force any shots. He has a beautiful arching three point shot and amazingly it was lined up perfectly each time. His few misses came today on either too short or too long of shots. A very good team player and good athlete. He did not penetrate much but this was not needed today." - kentucky.rivals

7/12: "Tennessee prospect Earnest Shelton struggled throughout the week at Nike. His jump shot just wouldn't fall, and even when he exploded to the basket he had trouble finishing the play. Still, there is no doubt in my mind he is a big-time prospect." - AllStar Report

7/11:
Q: Is North Carolina still involved with you?
Shelton: Yes they are.

Q: Are they still in contact with you?
Shelton: Yes. - UNCBasketball.com

7/10: "This strong wing scorer can stroke the three all day! He uses his shot to set up the drive or pull-up jumper. He has the ability to hang in the air and finish with authority on the drive. He has put up some major numbers at spring events. He’ll have a chance to prove they weren’t a fluke this summer. His early list of schools includes Memphis, Duke, Ohio State, Georgetown, Cincinnati, Tennessee, Wake Forest, and Arkansas." - Van Coleman

6/22: Shelton saw limited playing time at the USA Festival, playing behind a talented rising junior. His stats - 3.2 points (50% FG, 29% 3pt) and 1.4 rebounds. - UNCBasketball.com

6/20: "North Carolina and Duke both appear on the favorites’ lists of some of the top high school senior basketball players in the country. That group includes wing guard Earnest Shelton. Shelton, ranked No. 23, is a 6-3 shooting guard from Memphis (Tenn.) White Station. He averaged 21.6 points, 4.4 assists and four steals per game last season in leading his team to a 34-4 record and the state championship. He is a very good 3-point shooter. His current list includes Duke, North Carolina, Memphis, Cincinnati, Kentucky and Ohio State. He said he likes Memphis because his family can attend every home game and because he feels John Calipari will turn the team into a big winner. The fact that DeJuan Wagner, another wing guard who is the No. 1 prospect in the nation, has committed to Memphis could loom large here. Wagner is from Camden (N.J.) High School. Shelton is another solid student, with a 3.2 grade-point average and 21 ACT. - Fayettevillenc.com

6/14: "Unlike some of his peers in the Class of 2001, 6-3 off guard Ernest Shelton will not overwhelm his opposition with sheer, unadulterated athleticism. However, Ernest is without question athletic enough to excel at the collegiate level (to say otherwise would be a great disservice to the young man) and equally important, he offers a superb all-around floor game complete with deft perimeter marksmanship. I spoke to the Memphis standout last night (excellecnt, timely reporting on your piece Scott Alexander) and he expressed interest in the following programs: Memphis, Tennessee, Duke, UNC, Ohio State, Cincinnati, and Kentucky. Unfortunately the aspiring doctor did not disclose a potential signing timetable. - ACC Recruiting Update

5/11: Earnest Shelton is a 6'3 1/2", 190 lbs. shooting guard from Cordova (Memphis) Tennessee. As a Junior at White Station High School, Earnest averaged 21.5 points, 5 assists, and 4 steals per game. Earnest has a 2.8 GPA and has scored a 21 on the ACT and is fully qualified to play as a freshman. Earnest's big breakout came in a game against Dujuan Wagner where the two players took their respective teams on their shoulders and battled it out. "All I can say is he wanted to win, and I wanted to win and we did what we thought we had to in order to come out on top.", Earnest told me. His 30+ points and 2 blocks on Wagner made all take notice that Earnest wasn't just playing around. Since that game, the interest in Shelton has gone from high to incredible. "Shelton has a beautiful three point shot, takes the ball to the hole with bursts of speed, passes ever so well and is a player that just doesn't make mental mistakes a habit." Most experts think Shelton has one of the best 3 pt shots in the 2001 class, but also possesses the ability to drive to the basket if needed. Earnest took time out recently to share his thoughts with me: Marc: "What schools do you have interest in at this time?" EARNEST: "In no particular order...Memphis, Kentucky, Duke, UNC, Ohio St., Georgetown & Tennessee. I want a college that will be good for me academically. I want to be in the college scene and be able to enjoy what everyone says is the best time of my life." Marc: "Do you intend to enjoy that great college atmosphere for a full 4 years?" EARNEST: "There would have to be a LOT of things happen before I would consider leaving college. I would have to be sure that I would be a very high draft pick. I really want to get a degree. I would also have to discuss it with my mom, and she is not too fond of that (leaving college for the NBA)." Marc: "If I am guarding you, what do I have to stop you from doing?" EARNEST: "You had better get around those screens . I am the only person who can stop me by getting mad or down on myself. Our team sets a lot of screens and I only need one step to get my shot off. You will have to get over that screen and block it, or its in. I also have a very good first step. I can go either way to the basket, and at 6'3", I can finish well." Marc: "Are you looking for any particular playing style, coaching style or starting spot at your college choice ?" EARNEST: "Probably style of play is first concern. Next would be the relationship with the coach, and playing time would be last. I think I will have a good chance to play anywhere if I work hard. There are many great coaches in the NCAA now, and I want to be comfortable with the coach. I like to get up and down the court, and would love to shoot off of screens. I am most dangerous when I am shooting the ball" Marc: "How would you rate your defense?" EARNEST: "On a scale from 1 to 10, I would say about a 7. You can always improve on defense. Sometimes I am a bit too lazy, but normally, I am very active and get my hands on a lot of balls." Probably the most telling achievement that Earnest has managed is his election by his teachers to attend a week long leadership seminar this summer. Only two students from White Station were chosen and Earnest was one of them. The award was not based on athletic prowess, but character and potential. Shelton also enjoys playing the trumpet. "I really like marching band." Earnest is a young man who obviously is enjoying his high school experience. He does not seem to be aware of his basketball prowess and is modest when discussing his talents. When I asked him about his almost legendary performance against Wagner at the Boo Williams tournament, he was reluctant to elaborate. That's no big deal, I am sure we will all have plenty of opportunities to witness future amazing basketball triumphs for ourselves. - KentuckyWildcats.net

5/12: "One of the best players in the country that most fans haven't heard of yet is 6'3 combo guard Ernest Shelton from White Station H.S in Memphis, TN. Shelton is a lights out shooter who can stop and pop as well as anyone in the country. He is an above average athlete with very good all around skills. His first step is explosive and he is quick enough to get by anyone. What makes him special is his ability to score from anywhere on the floor. Great open court player who excells in transition but still needs to learn play in a slow down game. Plays like a young Joe Dumars. His school list includes: Duke, Georgetown, Ohio St., North Carolina, Memphis, Tennessee, Kentucky, And Cincinnati." - MidWest Hoops

5/8: "Ernest is a great shooter and a heck of a passer as well. Right now he is much better in the open court, or the fast break game. He can flat out shoot the lights out that is for sure. What Ernest needs to work on is his half court game. If he has a weakness to his game it is playing in the half court set." -- Coach Tippett (AE Hoops)

http://www.uncbasketball.com/class2001/shelton.html

April '00: "Ernest Shelton, 6'3 WG from the Memphis squad, matched DeJuan Wagner's point total at halftime with 16. Amazingly enough though, they never guarded each other in the first half, despite being the same size and playing virtually the same position. In the 2nd half, Wagner decided to put an end to Shelton's attempt to steal the show, and quite honestly we thought Wagner would do just that. However, Shelton took it right at Wagner and the first two possessions, scoring on a 17-footer after shaking Wagner on the perimeter, and on the 2nd trip he crossed over, skipped by Wagner yet again and hit a slashing teammate for a beautiful assist that excited the crowd. Wagner, who can be simply unstoppable, began to take over for his team as well, scoring on long three pointers, finishing in the lane and creating offense by drawing attention to himself and finding post players alone under the basket. Wagner's team escaped with a close victory, but Shelton held his own against the superstar. Shelton showed a beautiful shot from the perimeter, squaring his body and displaying a Trajan Langdon-like form from the arc. He put the ball on the floor and slashed to the hoop very well and showcased great court vision to reward his teammates. Shelton has a disciplined game and avoids turnovers. He is a great student with a 3.3 GPA and already has scored an 18 on his ACT. Shelton gave an early list as follows: "Kentucky, Cincy, Tennessee, Memphis, Wake Forest and Duke." He will be a familiar name to everyone by the end of the summer. - UNCBasketball.com report on the Boo Williams Invitational

3/18/00: By Matthew Gillespie, TSSAA Director of Media Operations, The Tenneseean MURFREESBORO - In 1980 Terry Tippett was the head coach at Trezevant when they won the AA state basketball championship. Twenty years later, he has led White Station to the AAA state title. It was White Station's first ever state basketball championship, after finishing runner-up in 1996 and 1998. Ernest Shelton's 19-point performance helped lead White Station past Bradley Central in their 64-39 victory for the Class AAA state title game. Shelton, the MVP of the tournament, scored 14 points in the first half to lead the Spartans to a 37-18 lead at half time.