Wolferetti: No Senior day? Not on our watch. We’re giving Braxton, Devon, & DJ the sendoff they deserve.

With the VT game canceled and NC State unable to find a replacement candidate, Braxton Beverly, Devon Daniels, and DJ Funderburg have likely played their last game at the PNC. Just like that, their chapter in Raleigh ends? No celebration? No sendoff?

Not on our watch.

Pack fans, get your butts off of your coach and give a standing ovation for these seniors. Right now. DO IT.

When you’re wife/husband asks you what the hell is going on in there, ask them if they’ve been paying attention the past 4 years as you’ve been screaming at the TV and rooting for the Wolfpack.

These kids, this class, deserve a lot of recognition and it’s a true shame that they’re not going to get a 25k+ standing ovation for the work they put in and the positive impact they’ve had on this program. These kids are being robbed of that, just like they were robbed of a tournament appearance last year and a normal season with fans, this year.

However, despite all of that, Braxton Beverly, Devon Daniels, and DJ Funderburk put their heads down, sucked it up, and went out and competed for the name on the front of their jersey every single night. This group was gritty, they. were relentless and they were physical.

They were also all transfers who came into a program to help Kevin Keatts build a foundation in Raleigh.

Braxton Beverly

You. want to see a college basketball player who knows how to overcome adversity? You’ve been watching him for 4 years.

Beverly was an Ohio State commit who had played for Kevin Keatts at Hargrave, but he decided to transfer when Thad Matta was let go. That began his journey at NC State. After committing to Keatts, the NCAA ruled Braxton ineligible because he went to a few summer classes (but no basketball-related activities) at Ohio State. Not only did this create blowback in Raleigh, but it became a national issue, with Mike and Mike even weighing in on Beverly’s side.

After appealing to the NCAA, and with talking heads all over the country starting to become critical of the NCAA’s policy, they let Beverly play. And in his first true test with the Wolfpack, a matchup with #2 Arizona, all he did was drop a 20 spot on the Wildcats, helping the Pack complete the upset.

Highlights of tonight’s win over second-ranked Arizona pic.twitter.com/6eLmexwaMM

— NC State Men’s Bball (@PackMensBball) November 23, 2017

Look, you are already fighting against the odds when you’re 5’10 (i know he’s listed at 6’0, but let’s be real) not extremely athletic, not super quick, and playing in the ACC. Then they try to take away your freshman season, then you battle injures almost the rest of your career. Yet you. still take the floor every night and give it all you have. That’s Braxton Beverly.

Beverly will be remembered for his grit, his hustle, and his savvy on the floor. There was rarely. a night when. he wasn’t overmatched in conference play, yet he came out made big plays for NC State, every night, for 4 straight years. He’ll finish his NC State regular-season career with a stat line of 8.4 ppg, 2.5 assists, and 1 steal per game. He ended up being a 37% shooter from 3pt range and a 39% shooter overall.

Devon Daniels

When Keatts got to Raleigh, he quickly targeted what he. thought was the best available transfers out there. One of them was Devon Daniels. A former 3-star kid who played his freshman year at Utah and up some pretty impressive efficiency numbers.

Despite not shooting all that much, Daniels averaged 10 points per game, shooting nearly 60% from the floor and 40% from 3pt range. That is pretty tough to do as a guard, but Daniels was an underrated scorer, and Keatts took notice.

When Daniels arrived it took him a minute to transition to the ACC> He was more of a ball-dominant guard, and fitting into Keatts system was a process. However, at the mid-year point of year 2 with the NC State, Daniels began to bloom into not just a solid player, but as NC State’s leader.

And look, Daniels wasn’t just given his role as a leader. He earned it, and at first, he earned it on the defensive end. Keatts needed a big, strong, defender on the perimeter and he challenged Daniels to be that guy. Daniels answered the call, not just by being that guy, but by upping the energy, the physicality, and eventually the scoring.

Last year Daniels averaged 12 points, 5 boards, and 2 assists.  He shot 47% from the field, but only 32% from 3. With Markell and Bryce gone, NC State was needing more from Daniels in ’20-’21, he delivered.

Daniels upped his efficiency everywhere. He had upped the scoring from 12 to 16. He was still bringing in 5 boards per game but now he was averaging 6 assists per game. He also upped his FG% to 49% and started knocking down the 3 at a 36.5% clip.

Sadly, Daniels never got to see all the dreams he worked for, come to fruition, as his season ended with a torn ACL during the Wake Forest game.

Daniels will be remembered as a physical, fearless guard who never lacked confidence. Check out some of his greatest hits.

DJ Funderburk

Another Ohio State commit, DJ Funderburk also played for Keatts at Hargrave. However, unlike Beverly, Funderburk had already enrolled at a JUCO so he wouldn’t need to take a year off to transfer.

When DJ arrived at NC State, he was immedietely ready to contribute. He knew Keatts system and knew what was expected of him. From day 1, Funderuburk was an active big man with advanced footwork and soft hands. In year one he averaged 9 points and 4 boards. He shot 55% from the floor that season.

In year two, Funderburk became a lot more aggressive. He started to hone his post game and he even extended his range a bit, making him a tough matchup for most ACC bigs. As a junior, DJ imporoved to 12.8. ppg, 6 boards and shot a ridiculous 61% from the floor.

As a senior, Funderburk’s role has changed a little bit. He’s now on the floor more with center Manny Bates, moving him over to the 4 and putting him up agaisnt guys who are quicker, which takes some of his advantages away. Despite that, DJ has never complained and has always just kept working to do what his teammates ask of him. With a mostlyc freshman supporting cast and sharing the front court with Bates, you assume his numbers took a nosedive. But they actually have stayed very steady and that’s a testament to his versatility and his work ethic.

DJ averaged 12 points, 5 boards and shot 54% from the floor this year. He’s emerged as a vocal team leaders and he’s been a veteran rock for this team to rely on in the post.

Funderburk will be remembered for his efficiency in the post, his ability to stay on the floor, his advanced footwork and hands, and his ability to knock down free throws.

What they’ll leave behind…

As a player, one thing that is important to you is your legacy. What will you be remembered for and what will you leave behind?

This group will be remembered as the class that really ushered in the Keatts years. They were all head-down, hard workers who never complained. There was never an issue with effort with these guys and they left it on the floor every time they went out there.

But this journey isn’t over yet, folks.

This group wants to be remembered as the senior class that led NC State on one of their most magical post-season runs this decade. Will they able to do it?

If you’ve watched this class for their career, you’ll know it wouldn’t be wise to doubt them.

Now, go to the fridge throwback of the beverage of your choice (mine is ole faithful, Utica Club. Don’t @ me.) for these seniors. They deserve it.