Yesterday was Day 8 of the NBA Las Vegas Summer League, and four former NC State basketball players were in action, playing their final consolation game.
Two former NC State players started for the Timberwolves in their 73-78 loss to the Cavs.
Lorenzo Brown finished the Summer League strong with a 19 point(8-15 FG) performance. He also gathered 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals. I think Zo’s five game stretch in the Summer League are enough to solidify his spot on an NBA roster, even if the Timberwolves don’t pick up his contract for this year.
C.J. Williams started his third game for the Timberwolves, and had 5 points (2-4 FG) and 3 rebounds in 14 minutes.
Summer League Stats in 4 Summer League Games:
4.8 points (38.1 FG%)
C.J. Leslie played 5 minutes for the Kings in their 73-68 win over the Heat in their consolation game. He failed to score (0-4 FG) and grabbed one rebound.
Summer League Stats in 5 Summer League Games:
3.4 points (31.8 FG%) & 2 rebounds
Trevor Lacey failed to score in his 12 minutes of play in the Cavs 78-73 victory over the T-Wolves, but did manage to grab 2 rebounds and 2 assists.
Summer League Stats in 5 Summer League Games:
4.6 points (33.3 FG%) & 2.2 rebounds
Today’s Schedule
TJ Warren and the Suns play the Bulla tonight in the Quarterfinals.
All but 1 of NC State’s 2024 MLB Draft Picks and Undrafted Free Agents have signed with their respective teams.
Center Fielder Eli Serrano III was drafted in the 4th round with the 111th overall pick by the New York Mets. He signed for $697,500, which was $41,400 more than the slot value for the pick. Serrano III had 2 more years of college eligibility, but opted to turn pro.
The #Mets signed 4th rounder Eli Serrano for $697,500. Slot value for the 111th pick is $656,400.
Shortstop Brandon Butterworth has signed with the Padres, who drafted him the 12th round with the 360th overall pick. Butterworth had one more year of college eligibility, but opted to turn pro.
An event that majority of people told me was nearly impossible. Here’s to the end of an era and a start to a new adventure. Time to get to work. pic.twitter.com/HdOsDmU6vB
Shortstop Devin Fitz-Gerald, who was going to be an incoming Freshman in 2025, was drafted by the Rangers in the 5th Round. He signed his deal, with a signing bonus worth $900,000.
#Ranger signing bonuses, per source:
1 Malcolm Moore $3 million
2 Dylan Dreiling $1,287,600
3 Casey Cook $700K
4 David Hagaman $515K
5 Devin Fitz-Gerald $900K
6 Garrett Horn $250K
7 Rafe Perich $175K
8 Anthony Susac $200K
9 Keith Jones II $30K
10 Jake Jekielek $20K
Catcher Jacob Cozart was drafted by the Guardians in the 2nd Round with the 48th overall pick. He has yet to sign his deal. The slot value for his deal is $1.94 million. Cozart has 1 year of college eligibility remaining, but there’s no expectation that he will be returning next season for the Wolfpack.
Every year, NFL.com ranks the Top-100 players heading into the season, and the voting is done by the players. Former NC State All-American Bradley Chubb didn’t crack the Top-100 heading into last season, but heading into 2024, he ranks 62nd.
Whether you were a quarterback or running back who went against the Dolphins, Chubb’s presence in the trenches was potent. He led the league with six forced fumbles while also recording 73 tackles, 22 QB hits, 11 sacks and 11 tackles for loss. He reached the double-digit sack mark for the first time since his rookie season in 2018. Chubb suffered a torn ACL late in the 2023 season and there hasn’t been a timeline on when he’ll return for the 2024 campaign, but he certainly left his mark last year.
In 2017, Chubb was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year, becoming only the 2nd NC State player to earn the honor. He also was named a Consensus 1st Team All-American. Chubb took home the Bronko Nagurski and Ted Hendrick’s awards. He is NC State’s career leader in Sacks and Tackles for Loss.
Pete Prisco of CBS Sports shared his Top-100 NFL Players heading into the 2024 season, and two former NC State All-Americans made the list: Offensive Guard Joe Thuney (Chiefs) & Defensive Tackle Alim McNeill (Lions).
As part of the best interior-line group in the league, he excels in pass protection. He did miss time last season and in the playoffs, which is concerning since he turns 32 in November. (Last season: No. 80)
He had his breakout season in 2023, flashing ability as a run stopper but also as a player who could push the pocket inside. He had five sacks, but I expect that number to be higher this season. (Last season: NR)
Thuney is coming off a season in which he earned 1st Team All-Pro honors, a Pro Bowl invite and a Super Bowl ring. In 2015, Thuney earned 1st Team All-American honors at NC State from the USAToday, and 3rd Team honors from the AP.
McNeill’s PFF Grade of 86.8 was the 2nd best on Detroit’s defense, and the 7th best at his position in the NFL. In 2020, McNeill earned 1st Team All-American honors at NC State from PFF, and 2nd Team honors from the AP.
NC State Legend Julius Hodge has been named the Head Coach at Lincoln University.
I’m excited to be named as the 24th head men’s basketball coach at Lincoln University. Thank you to President Allen and our athletic director Harry Stinson III.
Hodge has been in the Coaching world since 2015, when he served as Director of Player Development at the University of Buffalo under Bobby Hurley. Then, he spent 2016 and 2017 as an Assistant Coach under Herb Sendek at Santa Clara. From 2018-20, Hodge served as an Assistant Coach at San Jose State. Hodge has spent the past three seasons as an Assistant Coach at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
At NC State, Hodge earned 1st Team All-ACC honors in 2003 & 2004, and 2nd Team honors in 2005. Hodge was named the ACC Player of the Year in ’04. He earned the All-Freshman Team in 2002.
Hodge is 1 of 11 players in NC State history to earn 1st Team All-ACC honors more than once.
His 2,040 career points scored rank 3rd in NC State history. Hodge also ranks 1st in Free Throws Made, 14th in Rebounds, 7th in Offensive Rebounds, 6th in Assists and 7th in Steals.