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Getting to Know: Kirk “KB” Brown

Published

9 years ago

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Meet the man behind the shoes! KB has been with the NC State Men’s Basketball team for over 25 years and has undoubtedly left an impact on all who have come into contact with him.  Working as the equipment manager he has had all the details on jerseys, shoes, socks, and apparel. He is a fixture on the sideline sitting on his signature stool right behind the bench closest to the scorer’s table. All of the hard work that KB puts in goes unnoticed! Only a few know just how important he is to the program.

Many of his duties revolve around making sure all of the players are prepared for each practice and game with all the needed equipment. KB is also instrumental for the Pack on road trips. Careful planning, packing, and experience have helped the Pack avoid unforeseen consequences. I can remember a trip to Michigan to play the Wolverines in the ACC/Big Ten challenge. One of our players got blood on his shorts that would not come out with the standard cleaning supplies of the team trainer. Calmly KB strolls to his “red bag” full of extra shorts to save the day. This is just one example of him being a step ahead and ready for any given situation.

Another role KB plays is in communicating to Adidas what products the players like and dislike. If something is off with a pair of shoes or a player gives feedback on what could be changed to make the shoes more appealing KB relays this to Adidas. This helps ensure that the team has every advantage possible. Randomly throughout the year Adidas will come to the practice facility to show off some new prototypes and pass on some ideas they have for planned for the Pack. This is like a mini-Christmas for the players, as they love getting a sneak peak at upcoming products.

In my years as a manager and as the head manager my senior year I was able to form a relationship with KB. I have never heard anyone say anything bad about KB, besides the fact that he can be a little stingy in giving out gear. But lets be honest when you are in his position you must be comfortable with saying no. I am sure he gets constant requests from former players and I know he receives constant request from players, especially needing socks! Throughout my four years as manger I am sure Richard Howell lost more socks than I could count, but somehow KB always had big fella covered.

I learned some valuable life lessons from KB and I know many players can say the same. He was at the Dail Center everyday with a good attitude and projected positive vibes. Few things if any could get under his skin, as he took the good with the bad. Another important lesson that “Big K” taught through his example is to take pride in your work and doing things the right way. He has a strong belief in if you do things the right way; good fortunes are bound to follow.

Countless times I would find players in his office getting some words or wisdom. KB would recall former interactions or situations to help players overcome challenges that result from a season in the ACC. It may be a story about Rodney Monroe and how he overcame a shooting slump, or how a former team battled adversity only to find success at the end of the tunnel.

KB is the type of person you can be proud of for representing NC State. His dedication and hard work should not go unnoticed; however, I truly believe that he prefers it that way. KB cares about doing a good job and helping the players become better on and off the court. He is there to help rebound for players in the summer, he’s there to lighten the mood with a joke, and he is there with an extra pair of socks.

Next time you are at a game or watching on TV look for KB going about his business in a quiet manner. Few if any represent NC State better than Kirk Brown!

 

 

 

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NC State Basketball

Bowling Green Transfer Guard Marcus Hill Commits to NC State!

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24 hours ago

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April 25, 2024

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Bowling Green Transfer Guard Marcus Hill (6’4″/185) has committed to NC State!

Hill took an Official Visit to NC State this past weekend.

This past season, Hill averaged 20.5 points and 5.0 rebounds per game for the Falcons. He earned 1st Team All-MAC honors. Even though he was only at Bowling Green one season, he had one of the best seasons in school history, scoring 698 points, which ranks 5th all-time in program history for a single season.

For his first two years of collegiate ball, Hill played for Southern Union State College (JUCO) in Alabama. In 2022-23, Hill earned 3rd Team NJCAA All-American honors, and ranked as the #32 overall Junior College prospect.

247Sports ranks Hill as a 4-Star Transfer Prospect, and the #81 overall player in the Transfer Portal, and the #11 Shooting Guard.

Even though 247Sports and ON3 consider Hill a Shooting Guard, NC State is recruiting him as a Point Guard.

Hill is the 4th player to transfer to NC State this offseason, joining Louisville’s Brandon Huntley-Hatfield & Mike James, and Georgetown’s Dontrez Styles.

With the addition of Hill, NC State now has 1 scholarship remaining for next season.

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NC State Basketball

NC State’s Mohamed Diarra Will Not Return to NC State for Final Season

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2 days ago

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April 24, 2024

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NC State Forward Mohamed Diarra will not be returning to NC State for his final season of eligibility. Rather, he will give 100% of his focus to pursuing his professional career.

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Diarra is declaring for the NBA Draft, and will explore that possibility as far as it goes, but the likelihood of him playing professionally in his home country of France are high.

Diarra was a significant player for NC State all season long, averaging 6.3 points and 7.8 rebounds (team high), but his impact in March was tremendous, recording 10+ rebounds in 7 of the Wolfpack’s 10 postseason games, and five of those performances were double-doubles.

Wolfpack fans will always remember the grit and mental toughness that Diarra put on display in the NCAA Tournament, playing game-after-game while fasting for Ramadan.

The Wolfpack’s frontcourt just got a little bit thinner. In the past two weeks, NC State has lost Diarra and Ernest Ross.  Ben Middlebrooks is returning, and Brandon Huntley-Hatfield transferred in from Louisville. Dontrez Styles transferred in from Georgetown, and while he is more of a Small Forward, in certain lineups, he could play the Small 4 position. With all that being said, I fully expect NC State to try to find another post player in the Transfer Portal with Diarra’s exodus now official.

With Diarra not returning in 2024, NC State now has 2 scholarships available for next season.

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NC State Basketball

Louisville Transfer Guard Mike James Commits to NC State!

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3 days ago

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April 23, 2024

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Louisville Transfer Guard Mike James (6’5″/200) has announced his commitment to NC State!

 

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This past year, James averaged 12.6 points per game (3rd on the team) and 5 rebounds. He’s extremely physical and aggressive, taking 47% of his field goal attempts at the rim (making 46%). As a result, he draws a lot of fouls, ranking 10th in the ACC in Fouls Drawn, and 4th in Free Throw Rate. James made opponents pay this year when they put him on the line, making 81.8% from the charity stripe, which ranked 15th in the ACC.

James shot the ball better as a Redshirt Freshman, than he did this past season. His Effective Field Goal Percentage in 2022-23 was 55.8%, which ranked 19th in the ACC, and his True Shooting Percentage of 59.6% ranked 14th.

News broke about James entering the Transfer Portal back on March 25th, and NC State was quick to reach out. Kevin Keatts and his staff recruited the former 4-star prospect out of high school heavily, but he ultimately chose the Cardinals.

After redshirting his first year in Louisville due to torn achilles, James has been a starter for the Cardinals the past two years.

He does have the ability to knock down a three, making 34.8% for his career.

James has 2 years of eligibility remaining. With James’ commitment, NC State currently has 1 scholarship available for next season.

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NC State Basketball

Bowling Green Transfer Guard Marcus Hill is on a Visit to NC State

Published

4 days ago

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April 22, 2024

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Bowling Green Transfer Guard Marcus Hill (6’4″/185) confirmed with me that he is currently on a visit at NC State.

Hill averaged 20.5 points and 5.0 rebounds per game for the Falcons this season. He earned 1st Team All-MAC honors. Even though he was only at Bowling Green one season, he had one of the best seasons in school history, scoring 698 points, which ranks 5th all-time in program history for a single season.

For his first two years of collegiate ball, Hill played for Southern Union State College (JUCO) in Alabama. In 2022-23, Hill earned 3rd Team NJCAA All-American honors, and ranked as the #32 overall Junior College prospect.

247Sports ranks Hill as a 4-Star Transfer Prospect, and the #78 overall player in the Transfer Portal, and the #11 Shooting Guard.

According to a source, the NC State Coaching Staff is extremely high on Hill, and they are recruiting him as a Point Guard.

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