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Technician Interview: Jordan Vandenberg

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10 years ago

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Men’s basketball held its annual media day on Monday, ringing in the 2013-2014 season. The Technician caught up with redshirt senior center Jordan Vandenberg, who enters his last year of eligibility with the program.

Technician: You’ve talked about how you’ve been dropping weight and getting ready for the season. How’s that been going?

Vandenberg: “You know, I’ve just put in a lot of work this postseason, working on my body and on my game.  It’s my last year here so I want to make it count and do right by all my teammates who have supported me throughout the time I’ve been here.”

Q: In practice have you been working as the primary center, or is there any kind of set lineups?

A: “There are no lineups set yet. We’re all still earning the offense and our role on the team. I will work hard to make that the case, but I’m not really about that right now. I’m just concerned with keeping myself in good match shape.”

Q: What are you trying to improve between now and when the season starts?

A: “I want to work on team chemistry. We have a lot of talented players, we just need to make sure we’re on the same page when the season comes around. There’s not a lot expected of us but I think we’re going to shock so me people.”

Q: You’re the only player left from the Sweet Sixteen run, how do you think the team chemistry is different?

A: “I can’t really compare those teams to be honest. This is a very young team with a bunch of new players. We have a different dynamic to the team. Everyone knows they have to prove their worth on this team, where as last year, we had established stars; we knew who was going to play. Because there is no clashing of egos it might be different.”

Q: Coach Gottfried talked this summer about how you, Tyler [Lewis] and Ralston [Turner] assumed leadership roles. Could you speak on that?

A: “I’m the only senior on this team. I try to help the young guys along, teach them small parts of the offense and explain to them my experiences, and how to approach college in the right way.”

Q: What have you seen from Desmond Lee?

A: “Des[mond] Lee is like the x-factor. No one knows about him, really. He came out of junior college but he’s a very, very talented player. I’ve been around a lot of players but for a two-guard, or shooting guard, he’s pretty talented. He’s fast, strong, he can play defense. It’s a really nice pickup.”

Q: What do you think Ralston [Turner] provides to the team since coming in last year?

A: “Ralston is a very quiet leader. When he has something to say you listen but approaches it by example. He doesn’t take days off, he doesn’t take drills off. He works hard and will probably be one of the best shooters on the team.”

 

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NC State Basketball

D.J. Burns is OFFICIALLY BACK!

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1 month ago

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April 27, 2023

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Well, it’s OFFICIAL. D.J Burns will be returning to NC State for his final year of collegiate eligibility!

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by DJ Burns / BIG 30♨️ (@dj.b30)

This confirms everything I’d been hearing about the return of Burns. Burns was the key to the Wolfpack offense running effectively this past year. He averaged 12.5 points and 4.8 rebounds per game in 2022-23, but he elevated his game in ACC play, averaging 16.1 points and 5.6 rebounds in conference games.

Burns is celebrating his return to run with the Wolfpack by dropping his own Big 30 merch. Go over and snag something.

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NC State Basketball

Isaiah Miranda is an Early Entry Candidate for the 2023 NBA Draft

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1 month ago

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April 26, 2023

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The NBA released the names of the 242 players that have filed as early entry candidates for NBA Draft 2023 last night, and NC State’s Isaiah Miranda’s name was on the list.

Miranda (7’1″/225) joined the Wolfpack back in December, deciding to forgo the remainder of his prep season. Miranda didn’t see the court for NC State, resulting in a redshirt season.

ON3 ranked Miranda as the #16 overall player in the 2023 recruiting class.

It makes perfect sense for a player like Miranda, with his height and athleticism, to go through the draft process to be evaluated on what he needs to continue to work on. As an early entrant, Miranda has the ability to pull his name out of the draft and remain a collegiate athlete.

I don’t expect Miranda to keep his name in the hat when the time comes. From what I hear his game has tons of potential, but he still needs to fine tune his craft. Also, Miranda shared this on social media, implying he will be back in the Red and White next year.

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NC State Basketball

Missouri Transfer Mohamed Diarra Commits to NC State

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1 month ago

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April 24, 2023

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NC State picked up their 5th transfer today. Mohamed Diarra (6’10″/215) committed to run with the Wolfpack today while in Raleigh on an Official Visit.

Diarra originally spent his first two seasons at Garden City Community College, averaging 17.8 points and 12.6 rebounds per game in his second season. He landed at Missouri last year, after being rated as the #1 JUCO prospect in the 2022 class according to JucoRecruiting.com.

In his only season at Missouri, Diarra averaged 11.7 minutes per game in 25 games played (6 starts), averaging 3.3 points and 3.2 rebounds. Because of the extra year due to Covid, Diarra has 2 years of eligibility remaining.

With news breaking today that Dusan Mahorcic entered the Transfer Portal, the Wolfpack found his replacement. NC State’s frontcourt in 2023-24 currently will be made up of D.J. Burns, Ben Middlebrooks, Mohamed Diarra and Ernest Ross.

Check out these highlights of Diarra.

There is a lot to like in Diarra’s game. He is athletic, can hit a jump shot, put the ball on the floor, can play defense on the perimeter, block shots, and is an aggressive rebounder.

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NC State Basketball

Missouri Transfer Mohamed Diarra is On an Official Visit to NC State Today

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1 month ago

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April 24, 2023

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Missouri Transfer Mohamed Diarra (6’10″/215) is on an Official Visit to NC State today. Diarra originally spent his first two seasons at Garden City Community College, averaging 17.8 points and 12.6 rebounds per game in his second season. He landed at Missouri last year, after being rated as the #1 JUCO prospect in the 2022 class according to JucoRecruiting.com.

In his only season at Missouri, Diarra averaged 11.7 minutes per game in 25 games played (6 starts), averaging 3.3 points and 3.2 rebounds. Because of the extra year due to Covid, Diarra has 2 years of eligibility remaining.

Diarra entered the Transfer Portal on March 28th.

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