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NC State Basketball

NC State gets commitment from former Clemson big man, Ben Middlebrooks

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1 month ago

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A week ago, NC State landed their newest 2 guard in Jayden Taylor. Then yesterday they added combo guard DJ Horne. Today they land another key piece to the puzzle.

Today NC State landed 6’10 big man, Ben Middlebrooks from Clemson.

Middlebrooks doesn’t have a great stat line. This past year he averaged 3.1 points, 2.7 rebounds and shot 48% from the floor. However, he was stuck behind Clemson’s All-ACC center, PJ Hall.

Middlebrooks only averaged 11 minutes per game last year because of Hall, but look at his production per minute. He would have be a starter for a number of competitive teams nationally, so assume he got starter minutes. Let’s triple his minutes per game to 33 minutes. His stat line would be 9.3 points and 8 rebounds, which isn’t too shabby.

Middlebrooks will slot in behind DJ Burns and gives NC State a very physical presence on the block. He was a 4-star out of high school and was offered by Auburn, Florida and LSU. He has 2 years left.

NC State will now likely focus on bringing in another big (likely a 4) and potentially another guard (preferably a natural PG).

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Afterglow
Afterglow
1 month ago

Wow! I go away to work and come back and this happens? Nice pick up in my opinion. Keep em coming, Keatts!

1
Dof87
Dof87
1 month ago

Fits the description of the type of player we needed. Looks like he’ll be able to hold his own underneath and from the little film I’ve seen has some good footwork and scoring ability underneath. Seems like a really good compliment to DJ and Ross. So far if I am Ross I am loving the new makeup of this team. It really could set the stage for him to be the slashing forward he seems to be cut out for, and let Ben & DJ draw the double teams while the guards are pulling out defenders. KK is getting it… Read more »

Last edited 1 month ago by Dof87
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Papajohn
Papajohn
1 month ago

Wonder what they told Ben about Dusan? If we have Dusan, he’s the center of the future because he won’t get many minutes this season. Without Dusan, or a replacement, he’d play every night.

1
Dof87
Dof87
1 month ago
Reply to  Papajohn

I think the truth on Dusan is, he’s still recovering from injury and not telling when if ever he’s 100%, he’s not yet gotten a waiver, if he does get a waiver he probalby won’t be allowed to play until December. And Dusan only has this one year left if he does play.

Also, for KK Dusan and DJ are centers, Ben and Ross are forwards (I think that’s want Ben wants)

Last edited 1 month ago by Dof87
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Dof87
Dof87
1 month ago
Reply to  Dof87

Of course I totally whiffed on remembering Miranda. So nothing is clear.

1
Rev
Rev
1 month ago
Reply to  Dof87

Annnd what about Miranda??? I am not sure but I see Miranda as 4 (or even 3?) that steps out and shoots the three. Ben is the inside muscle and quickness on defense that we missed when Dusan went out.

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Papajohn
Papajohn
1 month ago
Reply to  Dof87

Yea, we always assume the worst (about Dusan) with no info to go on. There’s no offseason / recruiting season pressers. And even if there were, KK seldom shares much about injuries. So, unlikely that we’ll know anything about Dusan unless they use his scholarship. And if that happens, they’ll probably have to say something, the noise from the fanbase will be hard to ignore.

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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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