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.
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Too many new guys trying to form a team using a Coach that can’t coach during the game. No defense, no rebounding, not tough. Take that seven footer to Harlem and get his a$$ beat several times and make him tough. Playing like a p___y at seven foot is ridiculous. During the part of the game I watch, Smith acts like he is God’s gift to NCSU basketball. Set the rotation, and stick with it.
Once again Mav should be 7-8th off the bench.
This is why I’ve been saying “wait until the Miami game”. There was no way to get a good measure of this Wolfpack squad against inferior teams. Miami showed that this team needs a lot of improvement. People blamed not having this guy or that guy early in the season and I saw poor perimeter and transition D, poor shot selection, bad habits, and lack of toughness. Lots of work to do.
About what I expected. Out-coached, out-hustled, out-played. Turnovers and rebounding alone made it tough to stay in this game. This team developed bad habits while playing bad teams and it bit them on the ass against a well coached team. Coach Larranaga is probably one of the most underrated coaches in the country.
Coaching is not just about plays you have to get your guys. Kapita should have been in the game a long time go not when its 4 minutes and we are down by double digits. Smith, Doren, Mav (shouldve been Henderson), Y7, and kapita was when we did the best. I must say Abu played pretty good.
Yeah surprisingly Abu has shown up the last few games. It’s like a lightbulb went off in his head and he realized that he was 6’8″ and had a 40″+ vertical. He’s been going at the rim and not settling for a bunch of jumpers.
Kapita’s toughness was definitely missed.
Coaching is not just about plays you have to get your guys energized and ready to play from the tip. Miami made us look soft. That is what the first line was suppose to say. Blame it on the early start to the new year. lol #getemrightgott
Mav Rowan doesn’t need to come in so early 1 or 2 3s doesn’t make up for the lack of defense and turnovers.
And some of those cringe worthy shots off the dribble. I’d prefer he take it all the way to the hoop and at least try to get a foul.
Gott Gott to go!! he doesn’t know how to use what he Gott (has), coach defense or make players better. Point blank. he has had good players to get to where he is but that get exposed. Just like I said in the beginning of the season we dont come out with energy and team jump on us and have control. #Gott-Gott-todobetter-buthecant. Do you see the word play on Gott?
I agree. But then I have been called a Troll for not drinking the Kool-Aid. Fire Gottfried.
NIT here we come.
Blue bloods both go down today. Wolfpack better come ready or it will be an ugly game. Miami is not Ryder or Fairfield. Hope these kids are ready for a battle.
Ugly is my conclusion. Not ready for prime time. Loss by blue bloods just makes it tougher for Pack.
We blew a big opportunity to get a head start on our neighbors.