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

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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

 

 

Passionate State fan that just wants to win...something...like anything...

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Afterglow
Afterglow
1 year ago

That first video. Wow! The way she created space was amazing!!!

Women's Basketball

VIDEO: NC State women fall 64-63 to Princeton on late three in NCAA 1st Round

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The NC State women were a 7 seed, picked to move on over 10-seeded Princeton, but that’s not how it worked out.

The Pack women were plagued by turnovers (20) and Princeton capitalized with a late 3 to clinch the win. Highlight above.

Sad day for NC State all around.

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Women's Basketball

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: NC State Moves Up to #15 After Win Over Notre Dame

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The NC State Women’s Basketball (16-5) team moved up 5 spots in the Week 13 AP Poll, after defeating Notre Dame 69-65 yesterday, who was ranked 7th then, and ranked 9th now.

(ESPN)

ACC Teams in the Week 13 AP Poll

9. Notre Dame

11. UNC

13. Virginia Tech

15. NC State

16. Duke

23. FSU

The Wolfpack’s next game will be on Thursday night on the road at Georgia Tech at 8pm on ACC Network.

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Women's Basketball

NC State Signee Zoe Brooks is a McDonald’s All-American

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NC State Women’s Basketball 2023 signee Zoe Brooks was named a McDonald’s All-American yesterday.

McDonald’s All American Game East Roster
Player High School Position Height Committed to
Zoe Brooks Saint John Vianney (NJ) G 5-10 NC State
Essence Cody Valdosta (GA) F 6-3 Alabama
Aalyah Del Rosario The Webb School (CA) F 6-5 LSU
Jadyn Donovan Sidwell Friends School (DC) G 6-0 Duke
Milaysia Fulwiley W.J. Keenan (SC) G 5-6 South Carolina
Hannah Hildalgo Paul VI (NJ) G 5-6 Notre Dame
Riley Nelson Bullis School (MD) W 6-0 Maryland
Courtney Ogden Westminster School (GA) W 5-11 Stanford
Laila Reynolds Shabach Christian (FL) F 6-2 Florida
Emma Risch Palm Bay Magnet (FL) G 6-1 Notre Dame
Taliah Scott Saint John’s Country Day (FL) G 5-9 Arkansas
Ashlynn Shade La Lumiere (IN) G 5-9 UConn
McDonald’s All American Game West Roster
Player High School Position Height Committed to
Kamorea Arnold Germantown (WI) G 5-9 UConn
Sofia Bell Jesuit (OR) W 6-1 Oregon
Madison Booker Germantown (MS) W 6-1 Texas
Addyson Brown Derby Senior (KS) W 6-2 Iowa State
Breya Cunningham La Jolla Country Day (CA) F 6-4 Arizona
Kymora Johnson Saint Annes-Belfield (VA) G 5-7 Virginia
Tessa Johnson Saint Michael Albertville (MN) G 5-10 South Carolina
Amanda Muse Heritage (CA) F 6-4 UCLA
Judea Watkins Sierra Canyon (CA) G 6-0 USC
Mikaylah Williams Parkway (LA) G 6-0 LSU
Jada Williams La Jolla Country Day G 5-6 Arizona
Sahara Williams West (IA) W 5-10 Oklahoma

(SN)

Here is what ESPN had to say about Brooks being named a McDonald’s All-American.

Zoe Brooks, G

Signed with: NC State | 2023 ESPNW 100 ranking: 9
St. John Vianney HS (New Jersey)

Brooks is a gifted scorer who can flat out put the ball in the basket. Over the past 18 months, she has really gone to work on her conditioning and it brought her game to another level. She is a true three-level scorer. Defenses must be there on the close out, but containing Brooks is no easy feat as she attacks angles, changes speeds, and has the footwork and handle to counter. Her strength allows her to finish with contact at the rim and her touch provides an array of floaters and usage of the glass for buckets. Brooks sees the floor well and zips passes to teammates for open looks. Defensively, she has fantastic instincts and is good in passing lanes and in the press. Brooks is averaging 24 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game this season. (ESPN)

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Women's Basketball

Women’s Basketball: #20 NC State 71 Miami 61: Box Score & Highlights

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#20 NC State picked up a much needed win last night against Miami, defeating the Hurricanes 71-61 in PNC Arena, avoiding a 3-game skid.

Sophomore Guard Saniya Rivers led the pack with 14 points, 6 steals, 3 rebounds and 3 assists.

Seniors Camille Hobby and Mimi Collins both had 11 points.

Sophomore Guard Aziaha James had 10 points, and led the Pack with 6 rebounds.

The Wolfpack was without Jada Boyd and Jessica Timmons last night, and River Baldwin went down with an injury, and will have an MRI tomorrow.

NC State is now 14-5 overall, and 4-4 in ACC play, and will play at Louisville on Sunday at 1pm on ABC.

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