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As we discussed a few days ago, Mark Gottfried was doing all he could to add a backup PG. Yesterday all of that work paid off.

NC State got a huge commitment from Markell Johnson, a 6’1, 170lb PG from Cleveland. Johnson will quickly slot in behind Dennis Smith Jr and likely take the reigns of Smith ends up being a 1 and done as many have predicted.

Johnson was actually a 2017 prospect, but he’s a few summer classes away from being 2016 eligible. While that may not seem like a big deal to some, it’s a huge deal if you understand the immediate needs of this years Wolfpack team.

Make no mistake. These recent moves have signified that NC State is going for it this season. Smith might be here only one year, Yurtseven might just be here one year, Terry Henderson will graduate and Abu might head to the pros as well. This means Gottfried’s job is twofold. Win now, and build a contender for reloading in 2017. Johnson being in the 2016 class makes this all possible.

For now Johnson would be a talented backup who would be allowed to learn the ropes of the college game behind Smith, and then step in as a starter when Smith heads to the NBA. Johnson needs the year of tutelage. He’s younger than most 2016 recruits, and while he’s athletic, quick and elusive, he has some polishing up to do before he’s capable of being an elite guard at the ACC level.

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AnthonyScott1
AnthonyScott1
6 years ago

Wolfer96 wolfpack74

wormncsu
wormncsu
6 years ago

You are forgetting the Newman kid as well.

Wolfer96
Wolfer96
6 years ago

wolfpack74 Wolfer96 Do a search of this kid. He is already built like a man and has a 20 foot wingspan. Between Kapita and Anya they could do hands across Raleigh between the 2 of them. He is from the Congo and it seems lately there is a lot of news about kids from Africa lying about their age. He could be 25 for all we know.

Wolfer96
Wolfer96
6 years ago

wolfpack74 Wolfer96 Multiple sources on Twitter.

wolfpack74
wolfpack74
6 years ago

Wolfer96 That’s great.  Where did you get the news?

Wolfer96
Wolfer96
6 years ago

Wolfpack just added another. Ted Kapita! 6’10” 245lbs.  Nice addition to our front court. Alright coaches that is enough for this season. Focus on 2017-18. Wow this means that after the mass exodus following this season we will still have a group to build around. 2017-2018: Gone: Dennis (PG) – NBA Abu (PF) – NBA Yurt7 (C)- NBA Hendo (SG) – Grad Anya (C) – Grad Still here (assuming no xfers): Johnson (PG) Dorn (SG) Rowan (SG) Kirk (SF) Hicks (PF) Kapita (PF/C) Freeman (PF)? That’s at least 6 players remaining for 2017-2018. Would need to add depth at PG,… Read more »

Wolfer96
Wolfer96
6 years ago

wolfpack74 I have that much confidence in Dennis Smith. The Wolfpack has never had a PG like this kid. This will be the best PG we’ve had since Corch Sr. Dennis will lead this team to a great season in spite of Gott’s horrible coaching. All of this is assuming that Dennis can stay healthy. Even if Yurt7 doesn’t qualify I still expect a really good season. Although I still think we could add 1 more to help inside. PF or C.

wolfpack74
wolfpack74
6 years ago

Let’s not get the cart before the horse.  How about that for good colloquial saying in North Carolina.  First, the big kid hasn’t been cleared, and second, Johnson hasn’t qualified for this year. Do we know if they can play together, not yet.  Individually they look great but we will have to wait and see if they can mess.  But if they do, then I take back all the bad things I have said about Gott.  Last year was something to never think about again.  Looks like early signing is a thing of the past.  Just have to get use… Read more »

Wolfer96
Wolfer96
6 years ago

I mean I get that more kids are waiting till the very end of the recruiting cycle to see who goes pro, which new recruits they may have to compete with for minutes, etc. Still surprising the number and quality of recruits that the Wolfpack has hauled in this late in the game. What I’m curious about is… how much of this great recruiting can be attributed to the new coaching hires and how much of it was DSJ? How many of these kids came for a visit and got to run the court with DSJ and thought… man I… Read more »

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4-Star SF Jahki Howard Takes an Unofficial Visit to NC State

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4-Star 2024 Small Forward Jahki Howard (6’7″/180) took an Unofficial Visit to NC State yesterday alongside 4-Star Shooting Guard Paul McNeil, who verbally committed to run with the Wolfpack yesterday.

Howard is ranked as the #51 overall player nationally in the 2024 class by Rivals, and the #4 player in the state of Georgia according to ESPN. Howard plays for Overtime Elite in Atlanta, where 2023 NC State signee Trey Parker plays.

He also holds offers from Georgetown, Georgia Tech, Providence, Auburn, Rutgers, Illinois, Texas A&M, Mississippi St, Wake Forest, Florida, LSU, Ole Miss, Arizona St, Kansas, Georgia, Texas, Tennessee, Arkansas, and others.

As far as I can tell, Howard doesn’t hold an offer from NC State at this point.

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Basketball Recruiting

4-Star 2024 Shooting Guard Paul McNeil Commits to NC State!

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What a day! 4-Star 2024 Shooting Guard Paul McNeil (6’6″/185) wrapped up his Official Visit to NC State today by committing to run with the Wolfpack, after watching them defeat their rival UNC in PNC Arena.

McNeil is the #17 overall player nationally in the 2024 recruiting class according to ESPN, and the #2 player in the state of North Carolina.

In 2022-23, McNeil is averaging 23.9 points, 8.7 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.4 steals per game for Richmond High School. Last year, he became the first ever Sophomore to win the Gatorade Player of the Year Award in the state of North Carolina.

McNeil also held offers from Clemson, Indiana, Illinois, Tennessee, Alabama, Miami, Georgetown, St. John’s, LSU, Virginia Tech, Missouri, and others.

 

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Basketball Recruiting

Top-25 2024 SG Paul McNeil is Taking an Official Visit to NC State Next Weekend

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2024 4-Star Shooting Guard Paul McNeil (6’6″/185) will be taking an Official Visit to NC State next weekend.

ESPN ranks McNeil as the #17 overall player nationally in the 2024 recruiting class, and the #2 player in the state of North Carolina. I don’t understand how recruiting databases work, but at some point this year he will be a 5-star player according to ESPN as long as he stays in the Top-25.

McNeil plays for Richmond Senior in Rockingham, North Carolina.

This is huge for NC State to get a player of McNeil’s caliber to come in for an Official Visit this early in the process.

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Basketball Recruiting

4-Star G Austin Swartz Picks Up an Offer from NC State on Visit

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4-Star 2024 Shooting Guard Austin Swartz (6’5″/180) took an unofficial visit to NC State yesterday, and he left with a scholarship offer.

Swartz plays for Cannon School in Concord, North Carolina. ON3 ranks him as the #65 overall player nationally in the 2024 recruiting class, and the #7 player in the state of North Carolina.

He already holds offers from Virginia Tech, Clemson, Georgia, Illinois, Houston and others.

 

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