Recency Bias Be Damned, Raina Perez is the Greatest NC State Transfer Ever

We know, we know, “How convenient that NOW (36 hours removed from “the steal”) that you would claim this.”

Well folks, because regardless of recency bias, it’s a fact; Raina Perez is the greatest transfer in NC State athletics’ history.

Short Time, Lasting Impact

Here’s the first thing that is kind of sneaky crazy; Perez has only be at State for two seasons. Think about the number of times that you’ve seen her make shots, give 1000% effort on defense, or showed that golden smile into a camera. It feels like she’s been in Raleigh for her entire career. Would even bet there’s some underclassmen that think she’s always been at State.

Finalist for National Point Guard of the Year, multiple All-ACC nods, and program record for assists in game. Short time, lasting impact.

Just from the simple fact that she’s come in and immediately entrenched herself in the program gives her bonus points. Sure, she’ll always love her Cal State-Fullerton days, but she’ll ALWAYS be welcomed back to Reynolds.

History Making Plays

This is where the argument goes next level. Each year, thousands upon thousands of student athletes go through the grind of their seasons.

But how many “Forever Highlight Reel Inclusions” are made? Furthermore, how many of those moments happen in Conference or NCAA Tournaments a year (i.e. on the biggest stage(s))? Maybe three dozen? It’s not an everyday or frequent occurrence.

Yet Perez has at least TWO of these “OMG, did you see that?!” situations.

The game winner against Louisville for the ACC Championship last year, forever would keep her name in State fans minds until the end of time. In was cold-blooded and allowed State to become the #1 seed in the NCAAT for the first time ever.

Then a year later, in a game which State had a 95% chance to lose, she did it again. The steal was a thing of beauty. Crazier still, the 5′ 4″ guard got the subsequent REBOUND and knocked down two free throws to seal the game. For just the second time in program history, State WBB is in the Elite Eight. The steal, the rebound, the free throws, the curse being broken…build the statue already.

From Here on Out

Maybe State continues onto the Final Four. Maybe, just maybe, Perez somehow has one more trick up her sleeve for a program who has never had this much postseason success.

There are plenty of transfers that have stepped foot on campus and done big things. But there is no doubt, Perez is the tallest of them all.

#GoPack