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WATCH: NC State’s new 7-footer has a new highlight reel and it’s pretty impressive

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9 months ago

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I am honestly finding it pretty hard to see a way that NC State’s new 7-footer, Mady Traore, isn’t going to be a big difference maker at some point in his college career. Just watch.

Help me here, people! What am I missing?

Think back at some 7 footers that didn’t have an impact at the college level. What was wrong with them?

Well, usually a 7-footer who isn’t a difference maker is either extremely slow and stagnant, uncoordinated,and unathletic. Traore is none of those things.

Admittedly, he’s super thin, and doesn’t really have a frame that is going to bulk up much, but this isn’t a guy you’re hoping one day bangs on the blocks with the big dogs. This is an athletic stretch 4, who at 7 feet, can run the floor, shoot and hopefully, eventually take you off the bounce.

His footwook is good. His hands are good. He moves well laterally.

If Traore doesn’t one day become an impact player, then it will be the first time I’ve seen a guy with his skillset and size not amount to much.

The point is. I’m excited. Not really for this year (however, I think he’ll get some burn in games that are out of hand), but for next year and the year after. I beleive being in a program like NC State is going to unlock a lot for Traore and I expect big things out of him as early as next season.

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Papajohn
Papajohn
9 months ago

He’s in an interesting situation. He missed summer S&C workouts, summer practice, the Bahamas trip, and may not have joined the team yet for practice. (no pix, not listed on roster) And when he does, he may not get much practice time because of all the guys we have in front of him that need to contribute this season. (Ross, Gantt, Clark, Mahorcic, Ebe, Burns) Traditional thinking would say he should redshirt. However, the decent players don’t stick around for 4 years anymore, the transfer portal looms every spring, NIL inducements, and pro options. As the article suggested, he should… Read more »

Last edited 9 months ago by Papajohn
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NC State Basketball

D.J. Burns is OFFICIALLY BACK!

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1 month ago

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April 27, 2023

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Well, it’s OFFICIAL. D.J Burns will be returning to NC State for his final year of collegiate eligibility!

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by DJ Burns / BIG 30♨️ (@dj.b30)

This confirms everything I’d been hearing about the return of Burns. Burns was the key to the Wolfpack offense running effectively this past year. He averaged 12.5 points and 4.8 rebounds per game in 2022-23, but he elevated his game in ACC play, averaging 16.1 points and 5.6 rebounds in conference games.

Burns is celebrating his return to run with the Wolfpack by dropping his own Big 30 merch. Go over and snag something.

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NC State Basketball

Isaiah Miranda is an Early Entry Candidate for the 2023 NBA Draft

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1 month ago

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April 26, 2023

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The NBA released the names of the 242 players that have filed as early entry candidates for NBA Draft 2023 last night, and NC State’s Isaiah Miranda’s name was on the list.

Miranda (7’1″/225) joined the Wolfpack back in December, deciding to forgo the remainder of his prep season. Miranda didn’t see the court for NC State, resulting in a redshirt season.

ON3 ranked Miranda as the #16 overall player in the 2023 recruiting class.

It makes perfect sense for a player like Miranda, with his height and athleticism, to go through the draft process to be evaluated on what he needs to continue to work on. As an early entrant, Miranda has the ability to pull his name out of the draft and remain a collegiate athlete.

I don’t expect Miranda to keep his name in the hat when the time comes. From what I hear his game has tons of potential, but he still needs to fine tune his craft. Also, Miranda shared this on social media, implying he will be back in the Red and White next year.

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NC State Basketball

Missouri Transfer Mohamed Diarra Commits to NC State

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1 month ago

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April 24, 2023

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NC State picked up their 5th transfer today. Mohamed Diarra (6’10″/215) committed to run with the Wolfpack today while in Raleigh on an Official Visit.

Diarra originally spent his first two seasons at Garden City Community College, averaging 17.8 points and 12.6 rebounds per game in his second season. He landed at Missouri last year, after being rated as the #1 JUCO prospect in the 2022 class according to JucoRecruiting.com.

In his only season at Missouri, Diarra averaged 11.7 minutes per game in 25 games played (6 starts), averaging 3.3 points and 3.2 rebounds. Because of the extra year due to Covid, Diarra has 2 years of eligibility remaining.

With news breaking today that Dusan Mahorcic entered the Transfer Portal, the Wolfpack found his replacement. NC State’s frontcourt in 2023-24 currently will be made up of D.J. Burns, Ben Middlebrooks, Mohamed Diarra and Ernest Ross.

Check out these highlights of Diarra.

There is a lot to like in Diarra’s game. He is athletic, can hit a jump shot, put the ball on the floor, can play defense on the perimeter, block shots, and is an aggressive rebounder.

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NC State Basketball

Missouri Transfer Mohamed Diarra is On an Official Visit to NC State Today

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1 month ago

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April 24, 2023

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Missouri Transfer Mohamed Diarra (6’10″/215) is on an Official Visit to NC State today. Diarra originally spent his first two seasons at Garden City Community College, averaging 17.8 points and 12.6 rebounds per game in his second season. He landed at Missouri last year, after being rated as the #1 JUCO prospect in the 2022 class according to JucoRecruiting.com.

In his only season at Missouri, Diarra averaged 11.7 minutes per game in 25 games played (6 starts), averaging 3.3 points and 3.2 rebounds. Because of the extra year due to Covid, Diarra has 2 years of eligibility remaining.

Diarra entered the Transfer Portal on March 28th.

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