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NC State Basketball

Keatts explains what he looks for in his players

Published

7 years ago

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NC State head coach Kevin Keatts isn’t going to be star chasing as he builds his program. I think we all knew that already, but Keatts comment in this video makes it pretty clear. He’s betting on desire over talent and I think that’s a smart bet.

NC State, over the past 20 years has tried to go and get talent, and for the most part, they have. But talent alone doesn’t win basketball games. Talent without true desire and true work ethic can actually work against you, and I think it has in NC State’s case.

You have to face the facts. NC State, at this point, is not going to be able to compete with Duke, UNC, Kansas and Kentucky for the top name guys. Sure, State might pick off one or two, but over the long run, it’s going to be a losing battle to go up against these juggernauts. The question then becomes, if you can’t match them in talent, how will you beat them?

Keatts is looking for warriors. He’s looking for guys who may not have the height but will make up for it in the effort. He wants guys who will not accept losing and will not back down to the bright lights and top competition.

This, in our opinion, fits perfectly with the NC State fan base. Pack fans want a blue collar team that will out work you. They don’t want to be handed anything. They want to earn it. Keatts seems to be on the same page and ready to lay a foundation of these guys. It’s a smart play because once you have seven or eight work horses, you can bring in the elite talent and surround them with a positive, work-first culture.

We are excited to see this type of foundation being laid.

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NC State Basketball

ECU Transfer Forward Ezra Ausar to NC State is Trending Up

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8 hours ago

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May 1, 2024

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ECU Transfer Power Forward Ezra Ausar (6’9″/240) was on an Official Visit to NC State yesterday, and according to analysts at ON3 and 247Sports, things are trending in the right direction for the Wolfpack.

Jamie Shaw of ON3 submitted a prediction for Ausar to eventually commit to NC State yesterday morning.

Cory Smith of 247Sports submitted a crystal ball projection for Ausar to run with the Wolfpack this morning.

Ausar just wrapped up his Sophomore season in Greenville, averaging 11.4 points and 4.7 rebounds, shooting 51.4% from the field. As a Freshman, he was named to the AAC All-Freshman Team, averaging 9.8 points and 5.3 rebounds.

Ausar is a consensus 4-Star prospect in the Transfer Portal, and ON3 ranks him as the #60 overall player in the Portal and the #10 Power Forward.

Originally from Atlanta, Ausar played his Senior Season of High School at Liberty Heights Athletic Institute in Charlotte, North Carolina. ON3 ranked Ausar as a 4-Star prospect coming out of high school, the #94 overall player nationally, and the #2 player in the state of North Carolina.

Ausar has visited Seton Hall, Georgia Tech, met over Zoom with Georgetown, and had an in-home visit with Utah. John Calipari and his staff at Arkansas have been in touch with Ausar, as well as Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Virginia Tech, Arizona State, West Virginia, Iowa State and St. John’s. (Link)

At this point, it’s good news that Ausar has no visits scheduled after the visit to NC State.

Ausar has 2 years of eligibility remaining, and NC State currently has 1 scholarship remaining.

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NC State Basketball

NC State Signee Zamareya Jones Showed Out in the McDonald’s & Jordan All-American Games

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9 hours ago

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May 1, 2024

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NC State 2024 signee Zamareya Jones has played in the McDonald’s All-American game and the Jordan Brand Classic over the past month.

In the McDonald’s game on April 2nd, Jones had 13 points, helping her East squad defeat the West.

 

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In the Jordan Brand Classic on April 21st, Jones had 15 points, 5 assists and 3 rebounds. She also hit the game winner for Team Flight.

Jones is a 5-star prospect in the Wolfpack’s 2024 recruiting class, ranked 21st overall nationally by ESPN.

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NC State’s Kevin Keatts and DJ Burns Sounded the Siren at the Canes Game Tonight

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18 hours ago

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April 30, 2024

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NC State Head Coach Kevin Keatts and the beloved DJ Burns were both Siren Sounders for the Canes this evening, with Carolina defeating the Islanders 6-3, winning the Round 1 series 4-1.

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USC Transfer Power Forward Brandon Gardner Includes NC State In Top 6

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1 day ago

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April 30, 2024

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USC Power Forward Brandon Gardner (6’8″/215) listed NC State in his Top-6 along with Jacksonville, San Francisco, Arizona St., Texas A&M and Arizona.

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Gardner was a 4-star prospect in the 2023 recruiting class, with Rivals ranking him as the #74 overall player nationally, and ESPN ranking him as the #2 player in the state of New York (Christ the King, New York City). He is originally from Waynesboro, Georgia. Prior to playing for Christ the King, Gardner played for Word of God Academy, so Raleigh is familiar to him.

Kevin Keatts and his NC State Coaching Staff offered Gardner when he was in high school.

Prior to committing to USC, Gardner was committed to St. John’s.

This past season Gardner only played in 4 minutes in 1 game for the Trojans, making it a redshirt season.

Gardner will have 4 years of eligibility wherever he lands.

 

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