According to a source of ours, Derek Funderburk 6’9”/205) , formerly of Ohio St, is flying in tonight for a visit to NC State.
Funderburk was a a 4-Star Power Forward prospect that committed to Ohio St as a member of the 2016 recruiting class. Scout ranked him as the #56 player in his class.
He was dismissed from Ohio St. this summer, after redshirting last season under Thad Matta. Funderburk was released for “failing to meet team expectations.”
As a result, Funderburk decided to transfer to Northwest Florida State College, which is a Junior College, so he could play right away.
“They’re gonna put me in the best position to enter another four-year university,” Funderburk said. “While I’m there, I’m going to do great things. I had to put my pride aside. My mom and dad were talking about junior colleges, but I was thinking four-year universities. But in order to play right away, I took the JUCO route. There have been a number of schools that have called since I got my release. Me and my family made the best decision for me, so I don’t have to sit out.” (Link)
So what’s the connection between NC State and Funderburk?
He played at Hargrave Military Academy.
Ring a bell.
NC State head coach Kevin Keatts used to be the head coach at Hargrave. Also, NC State assistant coach A.W. Hamilton played for Keatts at Hargrave, coached with him as an assistant there, and eventually took over the head coaching job, and was wait for it…Funderburk’s head coach.
No big deal…they won a national championship together.
Matthew is Co-Owner of Pack Insider. He writes for all sports, with a focus on football and recruiting, and is in charge of business strategy. He is an NC State alum who majored in business. Matthew is also the lead pastor of The Point Church in Cary, NC.
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.
Jahki Howard earns Player of the Week honors after a big performance vs. Hillcrest dropping 25 PTS, 8 REB, 5 AST 🚀 @showtime_kipic.twitter.com/yPD5psrm2m
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.
2024 4-Star Shooting Guard Paul McNeil (6’6″/185) will be taking an Official Visit to NC State next weekend.
I’m grateful to announce I will be taking an official visit to North Carolina State University this upcoming weekend. This is a great opportunity and I’m looking forward to spending time with Coach Keatts and the program. @PackMensBball@NCStateRivals
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.
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.
