Louisville Transfer Guard Mike James (6’5″/200) is a priority for NC State, according to a source.
News broke about James entering the Transfer Portal back on March 25th, and NC State was quick to reach out. Kevin Keatts and his staff recruited the former 4-star prospect out of high school heavily, but he ultimately chose the Cardinals.
After redshirting his first year in Louisville due to torn achilles, James has been a starter for the Cardinals the past two years.
This past year, James averaged 12.6 points per game (3rd on the team) and 5 rebounds. He’s extremely physical and aggressive, taking 47% of his field goal attempts at the rim (making 46%). As a result, he draws a lot of fouls, ranking 10th in the ACC in Fouls Drawn, and 4th in Free Throw Rate. James made opponents pay this year when they put him on the line, making 81.8% from the charity stripe, which ranked 15th in the ACC.
James shot the ball better as a Redshirt Freshman, than he did this past season. His Effective Field Goal Percentage in 2022-23 was 55.8%, which ranked 19th in the ACC, and his True Shooting Percentage of 59.6% ranked 14th.
He does have the ability to knock down a three, making 34.8% for his career.
NC State already hosted Indiana State Transfer Guard Ryan Conwell last week, and while the Wolfpack coaches like both players, from what I’m hearing, James would be their preference.
NC State hasn’t had James in for a visit, but that could happen soon.
James has 2 years of eligibility remaining.
NC State Basketball
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Pickard for Pack Part of being a good coach is to have your recruits improve. Sitting on the bench with a team 5-12 in conference play is not inspiring at all. Rowan has the shooting ability but could have used another year in high school. He is not consistent and primarily plays well only at home. Kirk left his man because of the way State plays defense. They would be better off with everyone staying with their own man and forgetting about helping out in the middle. Why do you think the reason we give up so many open three’s… Read more »
You are something special…well delusional. Kirk left his man open 3 times while he was in for his 3 min. You focus on the one easy shot to win game, but leave off the 2 big 3’s Rowan hit! At this point in the losing season could Kirk get a few more minutes? Sure wouldn’t hurt. But for Freeman not Rowan! To complain about how bad you think Rowan is as a freshman is ridiculous! He’s one of the best freshman we’ve had in years….and should never be out for Kirk.
Pickard for Pack Rowan averages 33.4 minutes a game vs. 3.5 for Kirk. Rowan shoots .354 percent. That is the worst of all players with more than 3.6 minutes a game. Given Kirk the same chance at playing, he may have been able to hit some big shots. We will never know, because he probably will transfer. Maybe he will transfer to Kentucky to play with BAM BAM?
Pickard for Pack My grandmother could have made that shot after pushing the defender away. You, probably not.
@wolfpacker74.