4-Star Center/Forward Mady Traore (6’11″/195) committed to NC State late in the recruiting process, back on July 29th, but he hasn’t put on a jersey for the Wolfpack yet.
He chose to run with the Pack over an impressive offer sheet that included Arizona, Arizona State, Auburn, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, LSU, Pitt, Seton Hall, Tennessee, USC, Virginia Tech, Wichita State and others.
Traore is originally from France, and what has kept him from getting on the court thus far has been Visa issues and passing the English competency test.
From what I’m hearing, Traore will be able to start practicing with the team on December 8th, and should be able to play by December 17th.
The Wolfpack find themselves in a different position than they did last year, with depth in the front court. Dusan Mahorcic and DJ Burns have developed a good rotation at the Center position, logging 21.9 and 16.6 minutes per game respectively. Ernest Ross is also getting some run, averaging 9.9 minutes per game, and has also been thrown out there at the 4 with both Mahorcic and Burns. Ebe Dowuona has sparingly seen the court thus far, averaging 2.7 minutes per game. Then there is Greg Gantt, who has battled issues ever since arriving in Raleigh, and has played in only one game thus far, logging 11.5 minutes.
Where would that leave someone like Traore? From what I’m hearing, he could be a guy that could log 5-10 minutes per game.
Traore’s upside is insane. He has a pretty shot, and can shoot the 3. He has handles like a Small Forward, but stands 6’11”, and has a 7’3″ wingspan.
We’ve been excited about Traore ever since he committed, and can’t wait to see him on the court suited up in Red and White.
Matthew is Co-Owner of Pack Insider. He writes for all sports, with a focus on football and recruiting, and is in charge of business strategy. He is an NC State alum who majored in business. Matthew is also the lead pastor of The Point Church in Cary, NC.
So WTF?. Now he is not coming according to Cory Smith. This is looking like a Fuster Cluck to me.
Papajohn
2 months ago
I can’t imagine him getting any minutes this season. The 17th is Vanderbilt, and it’s all ACC after that.
Gantt appears to be coming back, and based on what we saw last night, I think he’ll get decent bench minutes. That’s 3 deep at PF (Clark, Ross, Gantt) and at center (Burns, Mahorcic, Dowuona). All of whom are experienced.
Traore should redshirt, but it sounds like he isn’t interested. Which likely means he doesn’t expect to use up his eligibility.
Afterglow
2 months ago
Good to know. I’ve been asking about this kid for quite some time. Thanks for the update, Pack Insider!
Dof87
2 months ago
Its hard to see a true (or should I say ‘cru’) freshman coming in as ACC play starts picking up minutes. But even if he can’t help us this year during games (a big guy in practice is always helpful), he’ll have a big head start on next year.
travelwolf
2 months ago
Kid has unbelievable potential. I just hope some of our players were paying attention in French class…
Heading into tonight’s Top-25 matchup between #22 NC State and #8 UVA, the Wolfpack are in the midst of one of their best runs in ACC play since the conference was formed in 1953.
The Wolfpack are 9-4 in the ACC, but they have won 8 of their last 9 conference games.
The last time NC State went on a run like this in ACC Regular Season games was during the 1972-73 and 73-74 seasons, when the Wolfpack went 12-0 in ACC play.
NC State is ranked. Duke and UNC are not. Last time that was the case? December 27th, 1982. Over 40 years ago. It’s only the 6th time in 67 years that this has happened.
Wolfpack was 17th that week. UNC was unranked in two polls all year, Dec. 20 and Dec. 27. Duke was not ranked that season (Dawkins, Alarie, Bilis, Henderson were freshmen).
Other *cough* ACC teams on Dec. 27: Virginia (4), Louisville (13), Syracuse (14).
So WTF?. Now he is not coming according to Cory Smith. This is looking like a Fuster Cluck to me.
I can’t imagine him getting any minutes this season. The 17th is Vanderbilt, and it’s all ACC after that.
Gantt appears to be coming back, and based on what we saw last night, I think he’ll get decent bench minutes. That’s 3 deep at PF (Clark, Ross, Gantt) and at center (Burns, Mahorcic, Dowuona). All of whom are experienced.
Traore should redshirt, but it sounds like he isn’t interested. Which likely means he doesn’t expect to use up his eligibility.
Good to know. I’ve been asking about this kid for quite some time. Thanks for the update, Pack Insider!
Its hard to see a true (or should I say ‘cru’) freshman coming in as ACC play starts picking up minutes. But even if he can’t help us this year during games (a big guy in practice is always helpful), he’ll have a big head start on next year.
Kid has unbelievable potential. I just hope some of our players were paying attention in French class…