Connect with us

NC State Basketball

TJ Warren Headed to the NBA…Or is he?

Published

10 years ago

on

The “Good luck, TJ” tweets were out in full force today as Yahoo!’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Wolfpack sophomore had decided to declare for the NBA draft.

There were no questions asked about this report as this was a decision that most expected from one of the nation’s top scorers. But things are starting to get a little interesting over the past few hours. Local media has reached out to Warren to see if the reports are true and it seems as if he’s not willing to confirm them quite yet.

 

WRAL’s Mandy Mitchell tweeted that TJ Warren has told her that he’s still undecided. That tweet was then retweeted by TJ Warren himself. Warren also got in on the action with this…

 

We were told that Warren was at a team meeting today and he did not notify the coaches or any players of any decision. This leaves a tiny bit of hope in Wolfpack fan’s hearts that their star player might come back for one more season despite being ranked top 20 in the most recent mock drafts.

So what do we think?….

The Case For Him Leaving…
Well, I’ve been on record over and over saying that TJ Warren is as good as gone. I don’t have any inside info on this situation other than the fact that I know most around the program expect him to go. I just think that he’s proven what he can do. He just had the best scoring season in NC State history and led a team that was supposed to finish 10th, into the NCAA tournament. It’s going to be tough for him to top what he just did. I think someone in his circle leaked that he’s leaving and it was just too soon for Warren, who wants to talk to his coaches and team first. I think he’d love to stay, but the money’s on the table and it’s hard to pass up on being a millionaire at 20 years old. That’s why I think he’s gone (and honestly, I don’t don’t think you can blame him.)

The Case For Him Staying…
Warren saying he’s ‘undecided’ is a little confusing. If you read the last paragraph then you’d think that if he knew he was leaving then he might have mentioned it to his team and his coach when he had them together today at the team meeting. He didn’t as far as I’m told, which leads me to believe that maybe he really is undecided. Maybe he’s seen Julius Hodge make a career for himself as being the most loved player in NC State history simply by coming back when everyone thought for sure he’d be gone. Maybe Warren could get better. He does needs to improve his shot and improve his FT shooting if he wants to be a dominant scorer at the next level. He also might want to see what he can do here with a real supporting cast. He’s got another legit scorer in Trevor Lacey, a legitimate scoring threat on the blocks with Abu, and an entire roster (outside of Vandenberg) that is returning. In theory, Warren could return and make a run at an ACC championship, get a ton of exposure and still score at the clip he was scoring this year, in turn, improving his stock to lottery status (if it’s not there already). His family isn’t hurting for the money, so what’s another year? I think he knows that if he leaves he might always wonder “What if…” That’s why he could stay.

 

Related Topics:
Click to comment
Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

NC State Basketball

Georgetown Transfer Dontrez Styles Commits to NC State!

Published

4 hours ago

on

April 18, 2024

By

Georgetown Forward Transfer Dontrez Styles (6’6″/212) has committed to NC State!

Styles was the 2nd leading scorer for Georgetown this season, averaging 12.8 points per game, while grabbing 5.8 boards. He shot 36.8% from three.

Originally, Sytles was a consensus 4-Star prospect in UNC’s 2021 recruiting class. 247Sports ranked him as the #62 overall player nationally, and the #2 player in the state of North Carolina, playing for Kinston High School.

After two seasons with the Tar Heels, Styles entered the Portal, and took an Official Visit to NC State and Georgetown, and ultimately chose the Hoyas.

ON3 ranks Styles as the #104 overall player in the Portal.

With his final year of eligibility, Styles’ made the right choice this time.

NC State now has 2 scholarships remaining after Styles’ commitment.

Continue Reading

NC State Basketball

NC State Forward Katie Peneueta Enters the Transfer Portal

Published

1 day ago

on

April 17, 2024

By

NC State Forward Katie Peneueta is entering the Transfer Portal.

Peneueta transferred to NC State last offseason from Sacramento State, where she averaged 8.4 points, shooting 45.5% from three.

In her one year at NC State, Peneueta only played 8 games for the Wolfpack, battling injuries throughout the year. Peneueta has 1 year of eligibility.

With Peneueta entering the Portal, NC State now has 3 scholarships available heading into the 2024-25 season.

Continue Reading

NC State Basketball

Boston Center Caitlin Weimar is on an Official Visit to NC State

Published

1 day ago

on

April 17, 2024

By

Boston Transfer Center Caitlin Weimar (6’4″) is currently on an Official Visit to NC State.

Weimar is the reigning Patriot League Player of the Year, and has been named Defensive Player of the Year the past two years. She has earned 1st Team Patriot League Honors the past two seasons.

This year, Weimar averaged 18.7 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2.8 blocks. As a Junior, she averaged 15.5 points and 10.0 rebounds. She shot 55.5% this year, and 59.7% last year.

With NC State not having River Baldwin at Center next year, adding Weimar is an extremely exciting possibility.

Continue Reading

NC State Basketball

What did an ACC Title & Final Four Mean to NC State Legend TJ Warren?

Published

1 day ago

on

April 17, 2024

By

What did an ACC Title & Final Four mean to NC State Legend TJ Warren? I caught up with the man who won the ACC Player of the Year Award in 2014 to get his take.

What was it like for you watching NC State go from the #10 seed in the ACC Tournament, to winning the Championship, to going to the Final Four?

I’m a second generation Wolfpack basketball player. Wolf blood runs through my veins, so to be able to witness a ride like that was truly amazing.

What did this run say about Kevin Keatts and these players? In what ways did you see them adapt, change or persevere?

I think that is speaks to the heart that the players have. As a 10th seed in the ACC tournament, it’s easy to pack it in and look towards the offseason, but they did the opposite. They bonded together over adversity and that’s what made them so endearing. Hard work in the face of adversity, that’s something that Wolfpack fans can relate to.

As one of the best players to ever wear the Red & White, what did this run mean to you personally?

As I mentioned earlier, NCSU hoops has been in my family for a long time, so it meant a whole lot personally. This run definitely took me back to some of the fond memories I have of putting on the Red & White and playing in front of a packed house at the PNC.

What was the most memorable moment for you?

I think Mike’s shot to tie the game at the end of regulation. It just felt like destiny at that point. Anytime you get to beat UNC and Duke days apart is special too.

How do you think this run can change things for the NC State Basketball program going forward?

I think that it puts us back on the national radar where we belong. After a magical run like that, I think it makes players want to be a part of that. A run like that reinvigorates a program definitely.

_______

Warren is 1 of only 6 NC State players to ever be named the ACC Player of the Year. In his Sophomore season, Warren was named a 2nd Team All-American by Sporting News and the AP. He averaged 24.9 points per game, which is the 5th best mark in a single season in NC State history. Warren scored 871 points that year, which is the most points ever scored in a single season by a Wolfpack player.

TJ was selected by the Phoenix Suns with the 14th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft.

Continue Reading