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Braxton Beverly transferring, heading home to Eastern Kentucky University

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3 years ago

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Tip of the cap to Captain Braxton Beverly who served four amazing years at NC State.

The senior guard has been a rock for Kevin Keatts at the guard position and was one of the first to commit to NC State (after backing out of his commitment to Ohio State) after Keatts was hired.

Beverly averaged 8.4 points, 2.5 assists, and shot 38.6% from 3 point range over his career. He battled injuries for his final 2 seasons, but suited up and played almost every night.

Beverly will graduate and use his final year of eligibility (per COVID rules) as a grad-transfer at Eastern Kentucky University.

Braxton will be playing for former NC State assistant EW Hamilton and he’ll be returning home, playing less than two hours from where he grew up.

So why is Beverly leaving?
When Keatts was hired, he was left with almost a bare cupboard, so he quickly had to go out and fill his roster. The first guy he locked up was a kid who kid he knew well from Hargrave. Braxton Beverly.

Beverly was about to play his first season for Ohio State when Thad Matta decided to leave. He got his release and came to play for Keatts.

Over the past 4 years, this kid has been a rock for NC State. He ends up tied for 4th in school history for 3 points with Archie Miller, hitting 218 over his career But like all good things, his time has come to an end.

Keatts has 2 guards that he needs to start trusting in Cam hayes and Shakeel Moore. He also has incoming freshmen Breon Pass and Terquavion Smith, both of whom are expected to get minutes next season, along with the potential to add another guard in the transfer portal.

Playing time at guard next year is going to be competitive and for Keatts to begin transitioning this program into a yearly contender, he’s going to need to start relying on his young guys.

While Beverly would have surely been welcome back and surely have given NC State added depth and experience, it was in his best interest to go somewhere where he could be the man.

Enter Eastern Kentucky.

AW Hamilton is a former NC State coach and one of Braxton’s former coaches at Hargrave. On top of that, he gets to go home and play in front of his family and friends. Overall, this was the perfect situation for Braxton, and while it’s sad to see him go, it’s probably in the best interest of all parties involved.

What does this mean for NC State?

This doesn’t change the outlook much as most were expecting Braxton to graduate and playing overseas anyways. But it solidifies the fact that Keatts is all in on this group of young guards and it explains why he’s been looking hard at bigger guards/wings in the transfer portal.

We’ll have more on next year’s situation later, but for now, thanks Braxton for all you’ve given to NC State. we’ll miss you and we’ll all be rooting for you from afar!

Let’s send him off with a few memories…

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NC State Basketball

Georgetown Transfer Dontrez Styles Commits to NC State!

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9 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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NC State Basketball

NC State Forward Katie Peneueta Enters the Transfer Portal

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1 day ago

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April 17, 2024

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NC State Forward Katie Peneueta is entering the Transfer Portal.

Peneueta transferred to NC State last offseason from Sacramento State, where she averaged 8.4 points, shooting 45.5% from three.

In her one year at NC State, Peneueta only played 8 games for the Wolfpack, battling injuries throughout the year. Peneueta has 1 year of eligibility.

With Peneueta entering the Portal, NC State now has 3 scholarships available heading into the 2024-25 season.

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NC State Basketball

Boston Center Caitlin Weimar is on an Official Visit to NC State

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2 days ago

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April 17, 2024

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Boston Transfer Center Caitlin Weimar (6’4″) is currently on an Official Visit to NC State.

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.

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NC State Basketball

What did an ACC Title & Final Four Mean to NC State Legend TJ Warren?

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2 days ago

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April 17, 2024

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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.

_______

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.

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