REPORT: Yurtseven either going pro or transferring from NC State

As we just reported this morning, Kevin Keatts and Omer Yurtseven met to discuss his future at NC State. Our sources had been telling us all along that the chances were slim-to-none that he’d be returning, and today we have gotten that confirmed.

NC State and Kevin Keatts released this statement just minutes ago:

The wrinkle is that Yurtseven could consider a transfer if he does not like what pro scouts are telling him during draft workouts. That’s pretty interesting seeing as he’s always seemed pretty eager to get to the NBA. A transfer would cost him yet another year, but maybe he feels that is necessary in order to build up his strength for the next level.

Either way, he won’t be back at NC State next season and while it never hurts to have a 7 footer who can score it, this will really open the door for Kevin Keatts to fully implement his system. A system which Omer simply never truly would have fit.

In the end, you have to credit Yurtseven for his time with the Pack and for sticking it out through the coaching change and stepping up to be a major part of NC State’s successful first season under Kevin Keatts. While it would have been great to see him add strength and dominate the paint next season, he’s making a move that he feels is best for him and his future.

Hopefully, Pack fans will wish him well and follow his career as he embarks on a new journey that will likely end up at basketball’s highest level.

For the Pack, this opens up another scholarship, which we’re told will very likely be for bringing in another big man to fill the void.