NC State’s Jericole Hellems Cleared to Practice

After speaking with a source yesterday, I can confirm that NC State Forward Jericole Hellems has been cleared to practice.

On Saturday, Hellems was taken off the court in Winston-Salem on a stretcher, and was immediately taken to Baptist Hospital, after suffering a scary injury to his head and lower back scrapping for a rebound with 28 seconds to go.

He was released from the hospital the following day, returning to Raleigh to be monitored by NC State’s physicians.

While Hellems is cleared to practice, I can’t confirm to what degree he is practicing with the team, or if he will be able to play for the Wolfpack against UNCG this Sunday on the road.

Either way, this is huge news for NC State. Over the past three games, Hellems has been the most impressive player on the roster, in my opinion, and definitely the most improved. He is currently playing the best ball of his collegiate career, looking like the player that broke out at Peach Jam a few years back.

On the year, Hellems is averaging 12.3 points per game, which is tied for 2nd on the team, and is shooting 38.7% from three.

This is huge news for the Wolfpack, especially with a game against #10 Auburn on the road next Thursday.

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