Torin Dorn may have been with NC State the longest, but no one has more experience with head coach Kevin Keatts than CJ Bryce.
Bryce spent his first two seasons starring under Keatts at UNCW. During his sophomore season, he filled stat sheet averaging 17.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3 assists. He was thriving in fast-paced, high octane system. So, when Keatts left for NC State, so did Bryce.
Although this will be his first season playing at NC State, the history he has with his head coach is putting him in a position to speak with experience and take on a leadership role.
“I think I can lead this team. It’s something I’ve worked on and I think it’ll take place when the season starts.” said Bryce.
And how exactly will he lead?
“Just being a leader on and off the court. Helping these newcomers learn the system. A lot of guys don’t know how Coach Keatts is when he’s on the court so keeping those guys focused and dialed in for the most part.”
While this will be his first season suiting up, Bryce was forced to sit out last season due to transfer rules. During that season Bryce has reportedly improved his 3-point shot (he shot a pedestrian 33% from long range as a sophomore) and added some muscle to his frame.
“(I improved my shot by) tucking in my elbow more. That was something I definitely got to work on in my sit out year.”
And as far as adding the weight…
“I’ve had some time to work on it. Running so much in Coach Keatts system, it’s hard for me to keep that weight on for me. I’m just trying to eat more meals throughout the day and get extra lifts in. It’s helped me out.”
Bryce will slot in at the 2 or 3 for the Wolfpack and will either be in the starting 5 or will be quick to come off the bench. He’s a known commodity for Kevin Keatts and one he’s likely to rely heavily on as the season progresses.
Boston Transfer Center Caitlin Weimar (6’4″) is currently on an Official Visit to NC State.
Sources tell me Caitlin Weimar (6’4” Forward transfer from Boston U) is currently on a visit to NC State.
She ranked 44th in D1 (scoring) last season at 18.7 ppg & 15th in rebounding at 10.6 rpg, in addition to 2.0 apg, 1.3 spg & 2.8 bpg. pic.twitter.com/d2y4jACx2K
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.
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.
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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.
Ross played in 14 games this year, averaging 3.4 minutes per contest. After playing in 34 games last season, averaging 11.4 minutes per contest, Ross saw his participation dip to a career low this season, but that didn’t for a second break his infectious personality. On the sideline, you could count on Ross every single game to be the heart and soul of the Wolfpack on the bench. To watch a player who played as little as he did, care as much as he did, makes me super proud that this young man represented NC State so well.
Ross was a consensus 4-star player in the 2021 recruiting class, with 247Sports ranking him as the #60 overall player nationally. ESPN ranked him as the #5 overall player in the state of Florida.