NC State signs point guard Lavar Batts Jr.

Batts is ranked No. 92 overall in the country in the final Rivals.com rankings for the class of 2017. He originally signed with VCU during the November signing period, but opened his recruitment back up following the coaching change with the Rams. He quickly verbally committed to NC State on April 1.

The consensus four-star recruit played for his father, Lavar Batts Sr., at Robinson High. Batts ended his prep career as the all-time leading scorer by a public-school player in Cabarrus County history with 2,174 points.

“I’m ecstatic to have Lavar Batts joining our program,” Keatts said. “He is a player that we have seen grow and improve through his high school career, and I couldn’t be more excited to have him be the first recruit we sign at NC State. He is a quality young man that comes from a great family.

“Lavar is the prototype for what we look for — great character, athleticism, speed, strength, aggressiveness — in a player for our system.”

Batts led his team to the state quarterfinals as a senior, averaging 23.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game. He was a first-team North Carolina Basketball Coaches Association All-State team selection, as well as a first-team Charlotte Observer all-region pick.

As a junior, Batts averaged 20.7 points, 5 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 2.4 steals per game to lead J.M. Robinson High School to the North Carolina Class 3A State Championship. Batts had 16 points and the game-winning assist in the Bulldog’s 59-55 win in the state championship game. He was named the game’s most outstanding player.

Batts closed his prep career by being named the North Carolina MVP of the Carolinas Classic and was the MVP and slam dunk champion of the CabCo Classic All-Star game.

Batts played on the AAU circuit for Chris Paul’s Team CP3. Batts averaged 11.8 points, 2.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game in 21 contests for CP3 last spring and summer. He shot 49.7 percent from the field, 31.0 percent on three-pointers and 75.8 percent from the free-throw line.