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Inside Look: A Conversation with Scott Wood

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(‘Inside Look’ is our newest column written by former Wolfpack manager Tyler White. Tyler attended NC State from 2009 to 2013 and worked with the basketball team as a student manager and as the head student manager his senior year under Coach Gottfried’s staff.)

Little John’s Coliseum. 7.5 seconds left in the game. N.C. State down by 2. A familiar play is drawn up for the all-time leader of made 3-pointers in N.C. State history, Scott Wood. The ball is inbounded to Lorenzo Brown while Scott lures his defender baseline. Hooking back around a Richard Howell screen, Scott is open for one of his 334 career makes from deep. As the ball clears the net the bench erupts-including myself. Seriously, check the video. State would go on to win this game by one.

When Scott arrived on campus in 2009 I don’t think many people expected him to have many all-time records under his belt by graduation. Hanging up his jersey after four years on the N.C. State roster, however, Scott had made his mark in the history books. At the end of his college basketball career he achieved the following bests at N.C. State:
• Minutes Played (4,318)
• Games Played (138)
• Games Started (136)
• 3-Pointers Attempted (809)
• 3-Pointers Made (334)
• Free Throw % (88.5)
• Free Throw % Single Season (91.4)

Scott and I joined the Wolfpack family at the same time. As we spent countless hours together in practice, on road trips, and at games, we became friends and still keep in touch to this day. As many of you know, Scott is currently playing for UCAM Murcia in the Spain ACB league. I recently had the opportunity to ask him what he has been up to, how he is adjusting to professional basketball, and life in a new culture.

What’s your favorite part about playing basketball professionally?
Not having to wear a suit and sitting at a desk from 9 to 5, just not my style. Plus I get to play the sport I love for a living.

What’s been the biggest adjustment living in Spain opposed to living in the US?
Just being away from my family and girlfriend. They came to a lot of games at State. Also not having any American restaurants, my favorites are B-Dubs, Red Lobster, and Chili’s.

What are the fans like?
The fans are actually great! Not nearly as many as we had at the PNC, but they too are loud and rambunctious.

What’s been your most memorable game to date professionally? Why?
Bilbao. Didn’t play well at all but hit a game winner.

How would you describe your teammates? Have they accepted you?
Yeah I would say so; it was bumpy at the start because I haven’t played with any of the guys before, not knowing their strengths and what their tendencies were. At state I played with the same core for most of my 4 years. My transition has been difficult but a fun one.

Learned Spanish?
Si Senor

Do you plan on coming back to Raleigh?
I’m going to try. It’s going to be a busy summer with training and visiting family.

Will you take part in any of the summer pick up games at the Dail Center? What former players do you want to team up with?
I don’t think I want to play with anyone; I just want to beat them! They all talk a lot of trash, so I want to win so I don’t end up in Twitter talk…Cough Cough Julius Hodge.

What was your favorite thing about playing at N.C. State?Everything. I enjoyed the classes that were after 11:15 as well as all the friendships that I developed. The absolute best college fans on earth. The post game interviews….” Has your wife every cheated on you??” The ups and downs that have helped make me a better person as well as a better athlete. Our coaching staff which taught me so much on and off the court. Personally I wouldn’t trade my experience at N.C. State for anything. It was wonderful.

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Pack in the Pros

Former NC State G Terquavion Smith Earns a Spot on the 2023-23 NBA G-League All-Rookie Team

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Former NC State Guard Terquavion Smith earned a spot on the 2023-24 NBA G-League All-Rookie Team.

Smith averaged 22.3 points, 3.4 assists and 3 rebounds per game for the Delaware Blue Coats. What’s crazy, is that he only started in 3 of the 36 games he played in. With that being said, he averaged 30.7 minutes per game. Smith shot 35.6% from three.

As a 2-way player, Smith also played 16 games for the Philadelphia 76ers, averaging 3.3 points in 5.3 minutes per game. He shot 37.1% from three.

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NC State LB Payton Wilson Visited with the Steelers Yesterday

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Former NC State Linebacker Payton Wilson had a Top-30 visit with the Pittsburgh Steelers yesterday. Wilson is the first Linebacker the Steelers have brought in.

Wilson has already had Top-30 visits with the Dallas Cowboys and the Carolina Panthers.

PFF ranks Wilson as the #1 Linebacker in the 2024 Draft, and #26 on their Big Board.

1. LB PAYTON WILSONNC STATE

PFF BIG BOARD RANK: 26

Wilson has the length, movement ability, IQ and tape of a first-round linebacker. What will likely keep him from being drafted on Day 1 is his injury history and age. If healthy, he can be a starting inside linebacker in any defense. (PFF)

Will someone take Wilson in the 1st round? Will he be a 2nd round pick? If he slips past that, that’s just stupid.

 

 

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NC State’s DJ Horne Declares for the NBA Draft

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NC State Guard DJ Horne has officially declared for the 2024 NBA Draft.

 

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A post shared by DJ Horne (@djhorne)

Horne is trying to become the first Wolfpack player to be drafted since Dennis Smith Jr. was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks with the 6th pick in the 1st Round.

While Horne might not currently be projected to be drafted, he is trying to change that tune at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament which begins tomorrow.

Horne is a special player, and genuinely possesses the skill set to compete at the next level. Whether he is drafted, or signs a 2-way contract, what he put on tape this year warrants a chance.





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Former NC State Defensive End Savion Jackson is Receiving Interest from NFL Teams

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Former NC State Defensive End Savion Jackson is receiving interest from NFL teams. Thus far, those teams are the Rams, Chargers, 49ers, and Broncos.

Last season as a Senior, Jackson had 40 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks in 12 games for the Wolfpack. His Run Defense grade on PFF was 80.6, ranking 4th on the team.

According to current projections, Jackson projects to be taken on Day 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft, or picked up as an Undrafted Free Agent.

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