NC State reaches out to 6’8 3-point shooter from Akron in transfer portal

NC State needs shooters. Kevin Keatts likes tall, versatile wings. Akron’s Ali Ali is a 40% shooter from beyond the arc. Ali is also 6’8.

Seems like a match made in heaven, right?

There is still a lot we don’t know about next year’s roster, but one thing is for sure, Jericole Hellems won’t be returning. That means there is a gaping hole on the wing. It looks like Keatts is going to try to fill that slot with another shooter, but one with a little more height. We say that because news just broke that he’s been in contact with the Akron forward.

Updated list of schools who have reached out to Akron transfer Ali Ali. pic.twitter.com/wtSXupQAwY

— Travis Graf (@TravisGrafHoops) April 1, 2022

Ali, a sophomore, averaged 14 points, 3 rebounds, 2.6 assists per game. His best showing last season was against Buffalo where he dropped 32 points. Here are the highlights…

It will be interesting to see what Keatts is thinking about his lineup by the way he attacks the portal. Is he happy with a Ross, Dowuona, Gant front court? I doubt it. He’ll likely target a physical big who can provide some offense. He also may target a veteran PG. But there is no questions he’s going to target any high end shooter over 6’3 that hits the portal. NC State needs scoring and they need guys who can fill it up from beyond the arc. Ali Ali is a guy that would certainly help and seems attainable for the Pack.

The only link to NC State we can find, if it matters, is that Akron’s head coach is John Grace, who was an assistant under Herb Sendek in Raleigh.