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Is this the real reason Omer Yurtseven decided to leave NC State?

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6 years ago

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Most expected that Omer Yurtseven (NC State’s star big man last season) wouldn’t be around this season.

They were right. However, not many expected that his departure would be by way of transfer.

At the end of the season, Omer Yurtseven was averaging 13.5 points and almost 7 rebounds per game. He was NC State’s go-to-guy in the middle and was a big reason they shocked the ACC and made it to the tournament in Kevin Keatts’ first season.

After almost declaring for the NBA draft after his freshman season, it seemed as if it were a foregone conclusion that he would do so after showing so much promise in his sophomore season.

Yurtseven did declare, but did not hire an agent. Then, the news started to leak that he wasn’t going to return, even if he chose to come back to school.

Then the news broke that he was pulling himself from the draft and transferring to Georgetown. The N&O reached out to him for an explanation and he basically said it was because he wanted to play for Patrick Ewing.

If you were following during that time, then you know we were a bit confused. Sources were telling us that Yurtseven had no beef with the NC State staff, so to us it seemed as if he may have seen the writing on the wall. Keatts wanted to implement his style of ball 100% this season and that style doesn’t really compliment a slower, more methodical type post-player like Yurtseven.

And that’s where it was left. Until now.

Yurtseven recently spoke with The Georgetown Voice and shed a little more light on the situation.

According to Yurtseven, there were “a few events” that caused him to feel uncomfortable in Raleigh. (TGV)

While they don’t have specific quotes from Omer about what those ‘few events’ were,  it seems to be hinting that his Muslim religion may have weighed in on the decision.

“Knowing that a place respects my religion is definitely important,” Yurtseven said. “It just comforts you. (TGV)”

You can go and read the article, but we won’t post anymore here because some may take some of the quotes as slights to North Carolina and it’s policies, and here at PackInsider.com, we don’t allow politics (either side) on our site.

The takeaway here is that maybe we didn’t get the full story the first time around. Maybe it isn’t all about the NC State basketball program. Maybe it was a culmination of things that led Yurtseven to decide a change of scenery would feel more comfortable to him, part of which was likely playing for Ewing.

“Omer is already a very good player and will be a valuable addition to our team,” Ewing wrote to the Voice. “I want him to add a few more things to his game, but I want him to get the joy back into playing basketball again.”

Either way, we hope Omer finds what he is looking for. We wish him well and honestly believe it is probably a better fit to play under someone who will invest in a traditional-style post player.

As for NC State and their fans, we believe moving over to Keatts system ASAP is the right move. Basketball is changing and the traditional post player is being left behind. We wish Omer well, but we are very confident in the direction Keatts is taking this ship.

**Note: We’ve been doing this long enough to know that some of you may not like us reporting on guys who have transferred. If you follow us closely, you’ll realize that we rarely ever do. The reason we are writing this is because there were unanswered questions around Yurtseven’s decision and after the transfer situation we just saw with Gottfried, we thought a little more info around this topic could help squash any rumors that had been floating around.

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NC State Basketball

Georgetown Transfer Dontrez Styles Commits to NC State!

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2 hours ago

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April 18, 2024

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Georgetown Forward Transfer Dontrez Styles (6’6″/212) has committed to NC State!

Styles was the 2nd leading scorer for Georgetown this season, averaging 12.8 points per game, while grabbing 5.8 boards. He shot 36.8% from three.

Originally, Sytles was a consensus 4-Star prospect in UNC’s 2021 recruiting class. 247Sports ranked him as the #62 overall player nationally, and the #2 player in the state of North Carolina, playing for Kinston High School.

After two seasons with the Tar Heels, Styles entered the Portal, and took an Official Visit to NC State and Georgetown, and ultimately chose the Hoyas.

ON3 ranks Styles as the #104 overall player in the Portal.

With his final year of eligibility, Styles’ made the right choice this time.

NC State now has 2 scholarships remaining after Styles’ commitment.

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NC State Basketball

NC State Forward Katie Peneueta Enters the Transfer Portal

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24 hours ago

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April 17, 2024

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NC State Forward Katie Peneueta is entering the Transfer Portal.

Peneueta transferred to NC State last offseason from Sacramento State, where she averaged 8.4 points, shooting 45.5% from three.

In her one year at NC State, Peneueta only played 8 games for the Wolfpack, battling injuries throughout the year. Peneueta has 1 year of eligibility.

With Peneueta entering the Portal, NC State now has 3 scholarships available heading into the 2024-25 season.

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NC State Basketball

Boston Center Caitlin Weimar is on an Official Visit to NC State

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1 day ago

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April 17, 2024

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Boston Transfer Center Caitlin Weimar (6’4″) is currently on an Official Visit to NC State.

Weimar is the reigning Patriot League Player of the Year, and has been named Defensive Player of the Year the past two years. She has earned 1st Team Patriot League Honors the past two seasons.

This year, Weimar averaged 18.7 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2.8 blocks. As a Junior, she averaged 15.5 points and 10.0 rebounds. She shot 55.5% this year, and 59.7% last year.

With NC State not having River Baldwin at Center next year, adding Weimar is an extremely exciting possibility.

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NC State Basketball

What did an ACC Title & Final Four Mean to NC State Legend TJ Warren?

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1 day ago

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April 17, 2024

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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.

_______

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.

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