We are about half way through the first round of the 2019 playoffs, and while no former NC State players are currently in the postseason, 22 former Wolfpackers have played in the playoffs in the past.

Former NC State Point Guard, and current Indiana Pacers Head Coach Nate McMillan, played 98 playoff games, marking the most by a former Wolfpack player.

McMillan has the most career assists (505) and steals (131) by a former NC State player, and Thurl Bailey has the most points (929), rebounds (382) and blocks (82).

With the 1st round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs up and running, it’s a good time to take a look at the best NBA Playoff Performers and Performances by former NC State players.

Points per Game in Playoffs

1. David Thompson – 22.9 (27 games)
2. Tommy Burleson – 20.7 (15 games)
3. Thurl Bailey – 13.5 (69 games)
4. Kenny Carr – 10.5 (35 games)

Rebounds per Game in Playoffs

1. Tommy Burleson – 10.2 (15 games)
2. Kenny Carr – 6.6 (35 games)
3. Thurl Bailey – 5.5 (69 games)

Assists per Game in the Playoffs

1. Nate McMillan – 5.5 (98 games)
2. Spud Webb – 5.1 (39 games)

Points Scored in a Single Playoff Game

1. David Thompson – 42
2. DavidThompson – 40 (2x)
3. Thurl Bailey – 39
4. David Thompson 37
5. Tommy Burleson – 33
6. 31 Points – David Thompson & Thurl Bailey
7. Thurl Bailey – 30
8. 29 points – Vinny Del Negro/David Thompson/

Rebounds in a Single Playoff Game

1. Tommy Burleson – 20
2. Kenny Carr – 18
3. Kenny Carr – 15
4. Thurl Bailey – 14 (2x)
5. Thurl Bailey – 13

Assists in a Single Playoff Game

1. Spud Webb – 18
2. Nate McMillan – 16
3. Nae McMillana – 15
4. Spud Webb – 14
5. Spud Webb – 13
6. 12 – Nate McMillan (2x)/Spud Webb

Photo Credit

Former NC State ACC Player of the Year TJ Warren just wrapped up his 5th season in the NBA, all played with the Phoenix Suns, who drafted him 14th overall in the 2014 NBA Draft.

It was a frustrating ending for Warren, missing the final 33 games of the season due to an ankle injury, which ultimately was determined to be a severe bruise.

In 43 games (36 starts), Warren averaged 18.0 points and 4.0 rebounds, while shooting 48.6% from the field, and a super impressive 42.8% three-point percentage.

To put it in perspective, he shot 22.2% from beyond the arch last year.

Warren picked up a $250,000 bonus for shooting over 37% from three, and missed another $250,000 bonus by 5 three-point attempts. He needed 185 attempts for the bonus, and shot 180.

Tony Bucket’s highest scoring performance of the year came on December 13th, when he dropped 30 points on the Mavs.

Warren just finished the 2nd season on his 4-year contract extension worth $50 million. He is due $10.8 million next season, $11.7 million in 2020-21 and $12.69 million in 2021-22.

There is speculation on whether or not Warren will be a member of the Suns, because he is an enticing player for the Suns to package in a deal.

With that being said, Warren is optimistic about Phoenix taking a step forward next year.

“We’ve got the talent,” Warren said. “We’ve got the players. All it’s about is coming together. Building together. Growing together. Josh (Jackson), Kelly (Oubre Jr.) Book (Devin Booker), Tyler (Johnson) D.A. (Deandre Ayton). We have the nucleus to really make some things happen. It’s going to be a big offseason for everybody. Hopefully everybody is going to work, which I know they are.”

AZCentral

Through 5 seasons, Warren’s career scoring average of 14.4 is the third highest by a former Wolfpack player.

There was a time when he was a 2-star prospect coming out of high school. There was a time that all the pundits said that his game wouldn’t translate to the NFL.

Shortly after the clock struck Midnight, former NC State Quarterback Russell Wilson signed a 4-year $140 million contract extension with the Seahawks, including a $65 million signing bonus, making him the highest paid player in the NFL.

“Hey Seattle, we got a deal. Go Hawks. But I’ma see ya’ll in the morning. Time for ya’ll to go to bed.”

Russell Wilson

2 weeks ago, Wilson gave the Seahawks a April 15th deadline for his contract to be signed. He wasn’t going to allow contract negotiations carry on once the Seahawks were back on the field. There weren’t going to be any distractions.

I guess it’s ok to allow a deadline to be broken by 45 minutes when someone makes you the highest paid player in the league.

Wilson will be the highest paid player per year at $35 million, and his $65 million signing bonus is record breaking as well.

Last season, Wilson threw 35 touchdowns, and boasted a QB Rating of 110.9, which were both career highs, and ranked 3rd in the league.