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Lots of people become infatuated with size, but Papagiannis brings much more to the table than his 7’1″ frame. The reason he is highly touted and has 5 stars is because he has a unique combination of size, mobility, intangibles, and skill. He also has a solid frame weighing around 260 pounds. On all the tape that I have seen on him, it is apparent that he is getting more and more comfortable with his size and learning how to use it. He moves smoothly and has great awareness in the half court offense. He is comfortable running sets, working the the pick and roll, and the pick and pop. He has good hands and keeps the ball high off the catch. One play in the video below highlights how well he could fit into the high-post offense. Pay attention at the 1:35 mark. Georgios starts on the opposite block and as the ball is rotated, he sets up a beautiful cross screen, and times his cut perfectly. He then catches it cleanly and pivots for an easy dunk.

Some may say this is a simple play, and I agree, but it is one that takes timing and a willingness to work off the ball. This play is built into NC State’s fast break attack. Big-G could get at least two dunks a game off of this action. Our big men rarely got any dunks off of this throughout last season.

Not only does he show a great touch around the basket, but he is willing to get physical while fighting for position and for rebounds. The thing that he does well that will bode well in college, is how he uses his feet to get open. He doesn’t use his hands to fight for position which means he will not get called for as many fouls. On the defensive end Papagianni is a game changer, as he uses his length and timing to disrupt any shot that is in his area. What I have noticed is that he does a solid job on help side without selling out. There is no question that this kid has an advanced skill set and would be a difference maker for the Pack.

If Gottfried can land Big-G then State should be able make it back to the dance without question. He is that good. However, there will be an adjustment period for him in the beginning of the season no matter what school he picks. Hopefully he will be sold on playing in the ACC and appreciate the fact that Gottfried made the trip across the pond to visit him. We will have to wait and see where he chooses to play this coming season.

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PackJunky
PackJunky
8 years ago

Dude we are a S16 team AT LEAST with him

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Basketball Recruiting

2025 4-Star SF Jackson Keith was at the NC State vs. UNC Game

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3 months ago

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January 10, 2024

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Earlier today, I mentioned Wolfpack prospects 4-Star 2025 Power Forward Sadiq White Jr., 4-Star 2025 Point Guard Jordan Lowery, and 2026 Point Guard Kobe Edwards would be visiting for the NC State vs. UNC game.

4-Star 2025 Small Forward Jackson Keith (6’5″/175) was also in attendance.


Keith is a consensus 4-star prospect in the 2025 recruiting class, with Rivals ranking him as the #53 overall player in the class. The Southern High (Durham, NC) standout is ranked as the #2 player in the state of North Carolina in the 2025 class by ESPN.

Keith holds offers from NC State, Wake Forest, Mississippi St., Illinois, SMU, Virginia Tech, LSU and others.

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Basketball Recruiting

NC State Recruits that Will Be in Attendance for the UNC Game Tonight

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3 months ago

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January 10, 2024

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NC State (11-3) will host #7 UNC (11-3) tonight in PNC Arena, and they also will be hosting a couple of recruiting prospects.

4-Star 2025 Power Forward Sadiq White Jr. and 4-Star 2025 Point Guard Jordan Lowery both confirmed with me that they will be in attendance.



White, who plays for Myers Park (Charlotte) is the consensus #1 player in the state of North Carolina in the 2025 recruiting class, and he’s 4 spots away from being a 5-star prospect according to ON3. Lowery plays for Winston-Salem Christian School, and is ranked as the #7 overall player in the state of North Carolina in the 2025 recruiting class according to 247Sports.

White holds offers from NC State, South Carolina, Syracuse, Cincinnati, Wake Forest, LSU, FSU, Illinois, Virginia Tech, Alabama, Texas, Tennessee, Georgetown, Ohio State and others. Lowery holds offers from NC State, TCU, Virginia Tech, SMU, Oklahoma St., Kansas St. St. Louis and others.

2026 Point Guard Kobe Edwards also told me he will be in attendance.


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Basketball Recruiting

NC State is 1 of the Schools 4-Star PG Kayden Mingo is Hearing from the Most

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4 months ago

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January 6, 2024

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4-Star 2025 Point Guard Kayden Mingo (6’1″/160) stated that NC State is one of the schools most frequently reaching out to him, along with Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, Notre Dame, Penn State, Cal and Old Dominion.

Despite the Wolfpack’s interest in Mingo, they haven’t offered him yet. Mingo currently holds offers from Cal, Penn State, Saint Louis, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest.

Rivals and ESPN both rank Mingo as a 4-Star prospect, with Rivals ranking him as the #70 overall player nationally in the 2025 recruiting class.

Mingo plays for Long Island Lutheran in New York, which is one of the top teams in the country. He is currently the Nike EYBL Scholastic’s leading scorer (20ppg).

 

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Basketball Recruiting

Highlights of NC State 2024 Signee Paul McNeil from the John Wall Holiday Invitational

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4 months ago

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January 6, 2024

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NC State 2024 signee Paul McNeil Jr. showcased his talent at the 2023 John Wall Holiday Invitational at the end of the year. Below are highlights from his first two games.

In Richmond’s 77-62 win over Jordan in their first game of the invitational, McNeil had 27 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals.

In Game 2, McNeil had 24 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists in Richmond’s 53-56 loss to Northwood.

In Game 3, McNeil had 21 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists in Richmond’s 68-84 loss to Cannon. I couldn’t find any highlights from this particular game.

Through 11 games this season, McNeil is averaging 29.6 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game. He is shooting 52% from the field and 35% from three.

 

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