What did an ACC Title & Final Four mean to NC State Legend TJ Warren? I caught up with the man who won the ACC Player of the Year Award in 2014 to get his take.
What was it like for you watching NC State go from the #10 seed in the ACC Tournament, to winning the Championship, to going to the Final Four?
I’m a second generation Wolfpack basketball player. Wolf blood runs through my veins, so to be able to witness a ride like that was truly amazing.
What did this run say about Kevin Keatts and these players? In what ways did you see them adapt, change or persevere?
I think that is speaks to the heart that the players have. As a 10th seed in the ACC tournament, it’s easy to pack it in and look towards the offseason, but they did the opposite. They bonded together over adversity and that’s what made them so endearing. Hard work in the face of adversity, that’s something that Wolfpack fans can relate to.
As one of the best players to ever wear the Red & White, what did this run mean to you personally?
As I mentioned earlier, NCSU hoops has been in my family for a long time, so it meant a whole lot personally. This run definitely took me back to some of the fond memories I have of putting on the Red & White and playing in front of a packed house at the PNC.
What was the most memorable moment for you?
I think Mike’s shot to tie the game at the end of regulation. It just felt like destiny at that point. Anytime you get to beat UNC and Duke days apart is special too.
How do you think this run can change things for the NC State Basketball program going forward?
I think that it puts us back on the national radar where we belong. After a magical run like that, I think it makes players want to be a part of that. A run like that reinvigorates a program definitely.
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Warren is 1 of only 6 NC State players to ever be named the ACC Player of the Year. In his Sophomore season, Warren was named a 2nd Team All-American by Sporting News and the AP. He averaged 24.9 points per game, which is the 5th best mark in a single season in NC State history. Warren scored 871 points that year, which is the most points ever scored in a single season by a Wolfpack player.
TJ was selected by the Phoenix Suns with the 14th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft.
NC State Forward Ernest Ross announced today that he is entering the Transfer Portal.
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Ross played in 14 games this year, averaging 3.4 minutes per contest. After playing in 34 games last season, averaging 11.4 minutes per contest, Ross saw his participation dip to a career low this season, but that didn’t for a second break his infectious personality. On the sideline, you could count on Ross every single game to be the heart and soul of the Wolfpack on the bench. To watch a player who played as little as he did, care as much as he did, makes me super proud that this young man represented NC State so well.
Ross was a consensus 4-star player in the 2021 recruiting class, with 247Sports ranking him as the #60 overall player nationally. ESPN ranked him as the #5 overall player in the state of Florida.
Ross has one more year of eligibility remaining.
NC State has 3 scholarships available now.
Best of luck Ernest!
Yow had a real chance at shaping the future of Wolfpack basketball and she hired a car salesman.
I’m glad you didn’t say used car salesman, because that would imply that players stay around. Look how many have left and more will after this year. It’s musical chairs at NCSU. Problem is it’s not the head coach that is leaving. How much is his by out?
BTW, guess who is the highest paid State of NC employee? Our awesome coach.
On a good note for today NC State Women’s basketball doing their thing! Dang I said i wasnt going to post but I had to give a shout out to them!!!! Keep up the good work and coaching!!! WFU up next on Sunday 2pm lets take care of business on that day also!! Great Job!!!
Ok PackInsider Staff, turn this bunch of shit into a positive. Times up. Bring on wrestling and girls basketball and baseball.
51 points… didnt want to put any explicit words up here…
WTF why is Hicks in the game instead of Kapita!!!! I think coach Gott is senile…. Real talk! not trying to be funny but it dont add up… Any good players we have will most likely transfer its been a trend.
My bad I said I wasnt going to post anymore today…………………………………….
Check out what Kyle Washington is doing at Cincinnati.
For that short stint he was in Ted Kapita gave us the most energy and effectiveness down low. Why is he not in the game? You know what Im done posting is making me more depressed….
I’m at a point where performances like this aren’t surprising and I’m not even getting upset anymore. Wolfpack Nation has to decide if they want to compete for ACC and National titles. If they do Gott is not the guy. People keep comparing Gott to Lowe and Sendek. Those guys are not where you set the bar because a bar shouldn’t be set that low.
Why is Abu in the game? He can’t play defense, he can’t catch a pass, he can’t hold on to the ball. And he’s walking back on defense and losing his man time and time again?
No discipline on offense, defense, transition defense. Can’t pass, don’t know the difference between a good shot and a bad one. Just a horribly coached squad out there.
SMH. We look like a HS team out there. I’m trying and have tried to hang in there with coach Gott but he is just not qualified for NCAA. Sorry…. Even if we come back which I doubt he needs to go..
I’ve been saying it for years now. He is a shit coach. That half was an embarrassment.
No comment. Packinsider Staff wants only positive comments. Damn bunch of snowflakes.
I didnt see any positive in the first half of this game. So cant post whats not happening. NCSU needs to put up money or somehow entice a quality and qualified coach to come to NCSU. I feel bad for the kids on this team. SMH