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PLAYER PREVIEW: After 2 years of waiting, DJ Funderburk is finally ready to shine

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6 years ago

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Derek ‘DJ’ Funderburk, like many other players on this year’s NC State roster, will be suiting up in the red and white for the first time. He also, like many others, already has college basketball experience.

Out of high school, Funderburk committed to Ohio State University but was released after his redshirt season for “failing to meet expectations.” Instead of sitting a year and attempting to transfer, he spent what ended up being his freshman season, at Northwest Florida State College (which is a junior college).

Now a sophomore, the 6’9 forward is looking to put the past behind him get his career back on track.

“It’s exciting to me.” said Funderburk. “It’s my first year in division 1 college basketball. I’m obviously up for the challenge. Coach Keatts is a great guy. His coaching skills (come from) Hargrave so I’m kind of used to it, playing under AW, I’m ready to go.”

The transition to a new city and a new team may be softened by the fact that he joins a group not too unlike himself. Only 4 of the 12 players on the roster actually played at NC State last season, but 9 of the 12 have played college basketball at some level. Funderburk doesn’t see that as a disadvantage at all, in fact, he thinks it might work in the Pack’s favor.

“The chemistry is for sure there. I feel like we kind of clicked within the first 2 weeks of being around each other.” he said. “I like this team because I see everyone on the outside thinking “It’s a whole bunch of transfers and they won’t be ready. It’s going to be a rebuilding year.” That’s not going to be the case. I’m just ready to fool people and get a lot of upsets.”

Funderburk figures to play a big role on this team. With Omer Yurtseven’s transfer and State losing Abu and Freeman to graduation, the Wolfpack frontcourt is pretty thin. So what exactly does DJ bring to the table? (WATCH his JUCO highlights here)

“Having the ability to play inside and outside.” he told us. “Having the ability to run up and down the court and play defense as well as I can. I think that’s going to be a major asset to the team.”

Keatts is going to be relying on what he’s calling his “three-headed monster” which includes Funderburk, Samford transfer Wyatt Walker and freshman Ian Steere. We asked DJ what each guy will be able to uniquely contribute.

“90% of the time Wyatt gets it down there it’s a bucket, as far as post moves. And Ian, he’s a strong freshman. Very athletic. And me, I’m able to use my speed and my handle more to get around my defenders.”

Funderburk is exactly the type of big that Keatts needs. He’s got the versatility to be a matchup nightmare at the 4, but also can slot into the 5 when he wants to go small and fast (with Dorn at the 4).

No matter how he’s used, Funderburk if just happy to to finally get his chance to shine at college basketball’s highest level.

“It’s been a long time coming and everybody has their own testimony so I’m just ready to go. It’s been a tough road but I’m ready.”

See video above for the full interview (with more quotes).

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NC State Basketball

Louisville Transfer Guard Mike James is Currently Visiting NC State

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4 hours ago

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April 19, 2024

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Louisville Transfer Guard Mike James (6’5″/200) is on a visit to NC State currently, according to a source.

Indiana State Transfer Ryan Conwell was on campus last week, but he just committed to Xavier.

From what I hear, the staff preferred James over Connell anyway. A plus with James is he has 2 years of eligibility, whereas Conwell has 1.

News broke about James entering the Transfer Portal back on March 25th, and NC State was quick to reach out. Kevin Keatts and his staff recruited the former 4-star prospect out of high school heavily, but he ultimately chose the Cardinals.

Rivals ranked James as the #71 overall player in the 2021 recruiting class, and ESPN ranked him as the #7 prospect in the state of Florida.

After redshirting his first year in Louisville due to torn achilles, James has been a starter for the Cardinals the past two years. This year, he averaged 12.6 points and 5 rebounds.

For a more extensive look at James’ game, click here.

Rivals ranks James as the #77 overall player in the Transfer Portal.

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NC State Basketball

Louisville Transfer Guard Mike James is a Priority for NC State

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7 hours ago

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April 19, 2024

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Louisville Transfer Guard Mike James (6’5″/200) is a priority for NC State, according to a source.

News broke about James entering the Transfer Portal back on March 25th, and NC State was quick to reach out. Kevin Keatts and his staff recruited the former 4-star prospect out of high school heavily, but he ultimately chose the Cardinals.

After redshirting his first year in Louisville due to torn achilles, James has been a starter for the Cardinals the past two years.

This past year, James averaged 12.6 points per game (3rd on the team) and 5 rebounds. He’s extremely physical and aggressive, taking 47% of his field goal attempts at the rim (making 46%). As a result, he draws a lot of fouls, ranking 10th in the ACC in Fouls Drawn, and 4th in Free Throw Rate. James made opponents pay this year when they put him on the line, making 81.8% from the charity stripe, which ranked 15th in the ACC.

James shot the ball better as a Redshirt Freshman, than he did this past season. His Effective Field Goal Percentage in 2022-23 was 55.8%, which ranked 19th in the ACC, and his True Shooting Percentage of 59.6% ranked 14th.

He does have the ability to knock down a three, making 34.8% for his career.

NC State already hosted Indiana State Transfer Guard Ryan Conwell last week, and while the Wolfpack coaches like both players, from what I’m hearing, James would be their preference.

NC State hasn’t had James in for a visit, but that could happen soon.

James has 2 years of eligibility remaining.

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NC State Basketball

NC State’s Casey Morsell is the 4th Player in NCAA History to Start 41 Games in a Season

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13 hours ago

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April 19, 2024

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NC State Guard Casey Morsell started 41 games for the Wolfpack this season, becoming the 4th player in NCAA history to do so.

 

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Prior to this season, the record for most games started in a single season in NC State history was 37, with three Wolfpack players doing so: Lorenzo Brown, Richard Howell, CJ Williams.

Morsell now sits atop the list, and a fellow teammate, DJ Burns ranks second, with 40 games started this season.

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Georgetown Transfer Dontrez Styles Commits to NC State!

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23 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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