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Pack in the Pros

TJ Warren’s Hot Hand From Deep was Cut Short in 2018-19: YEAR 5 RECAP

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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.

Sports Reference
Sports Reference

Matthew is Publisher and Co-Owner of Pack Insider. He is also the Lead Pastor of The Point Church in Cary, NC.

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Pack in the Pros

Mike Tomlin’s Thoughts on the Steelers Drafting NC State’s Payton Wilson

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Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin was ecstatic that NC State Linebacker Payton Wilson was available for Pittsburgh to pick up with the 98th overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft.

“We had to get comfortable with his medical and we brought him in on a pre draft visit. We allowed our medical experts to really get a good evaluation of him. We talked to him about his injury history. We were at a place of comfort. And so from that perspective, man, we’re really excited about having him.” (Link)

“Man, we’re really excited about Peyton. When we turn his tape on, we see him making all the type of plays you need linebackers to make. He’s a volume tackle player. He makes plays in the passing game from a coverage perspective via interception and pass breakup. He gets after the quarterback in the blitz game. He’s got a very well-rounded skillset. He’s a fluid mover. He can run. Had an opportunity to lay some real up close eyes on him down there in Mobile at the Senior Bowl, we’re thankful we had an opportunity to get him. He’s got all the hardware that comes with some of those things that I described being a Butkus Award winner and so forth. We had to get comfortable with his medical and we brought him in on a pre draft visit. We allowed Our medical experts to really get a good evaluation of him. We talked to him about his injury history. We were at a place of comfort. And so from that perspective, man, we’re really excited about having him.” (Link)

“I think you could characterize it as surprised. I mean, he is an award-winning linebacker, Butkus Award winner. Had an opportunity to get really familiar with him down in Mobile as well. But the linebackers themselves weren’t coming off the board at that juncture. So sometimes they make runs on positions at different times and it hadn’t been a lot of linebackers to that point. I think what he was number five or so.” (Link)

“We’re really excited about Payton. When we turn his tape on, we see him making all the types of plays you need linebackers to make. He’s a volume tackle player. He makes plays in the passing game from a coverage perspective via interception and pass breakup. He gets after the quarterback in the blitz game. He’s got a very well-rounded skill set. He’s a fluid mover. We had to get comfortable with his medical, and we were. We brought him in on a pre-draft visit to allow our medical experts to really get a good evaluation of him. We talked to him about his injury history. We were at a place of comfort, and so from that perspective, we’re really excited about having him.” (Link)

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Pack in the Pros

Payton Wilson will Wear #41 for the Pittsburgh Steelers

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Former NC State Linebacker Payton Wilson, who was drafted by Pittsburgh in 3rd round on Friday night, will wear the #41 for the Steelers.

Wilson spent his entire collegiate career at NC State wearing the #11. He wore the #11 at Orange High School.

It will take some getting used to recognize him in the #41 jersey. Currently, Steelers Wide Receiver Van Jefferson is wearing the #11.

Here’s a look at other Pittsburgh players who have worn the #41.

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NC State Football

NC State CB Shyheim Battle Receives Invitation to Jets Rookie Mini Camp

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NC State Cornerback Shyheim Battle has received an invitation from the New York Jets to participate in their Rookie Mini Camp.

Battle had 1 year of eligibility remaining, but declared for the NFL Draft on January 3rd.

He finished this past year as the most experienced player on the Wolfpack’s defense, starting in 41 of the 51 games he has played in dating back to 2019. In a rarity in this day-and-age, Battle was a 4-year starter at the Cornerback position for NC State. He graduated with a degree in Communications.

In his final season in Red and White, Battle had 46 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 4 pass breakups and 1 fumble recovery. His PFF Grade of 70.6 was the 7th best on the Wolfpack defense.

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NC State Football

NC State PK Brayden Narveson Signs Undrafted Free Agent Deal with the Titans

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NC State Place Kicker Brayden Narveson has signed an Undrafted Free Agent Deal with the Tennessee Titans.

In his one season in Raleigh, Narveson made 18 of his 23 Field Goal attempts for the Wolfpack, and made all 38 Extra Point attempts. Narveson made some history in his one season at NC State, kicking a 57-yard Field Goal against Duke, breaking the school record for the longest Field Goal.

Narveson ranked 4th in the ACC in Field Goals attempted (23), and 5th in Field Goals made (18) this season. He ranked 9th in conference in scoring (7.1 points per game).

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