Connect with us

NC State Basketball

NC State will likely hold out SG Kam Woods despite new ruling making him eligible

Published

5 months ago

on

As we reported yesterday, a federal ruling came down that put a temporary restraining order on the rule that forced 2nd-time transfers (prior to Graduation) to sit out a year.

That ruling made SG Kam Woods immediately eligible for the Wolfpack.

Woods played for North Carolina A&T last year, averaging 17.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.6 steals. He led A&T in points, assists and three-pointers, and earned Second Team All-CAA honors. Many around the program believed if Woods became eligible, he would certainly get some minutes on this team, due to his performance in off-season workouts and practices.

All of that said, the temporary restraining order is only good for 14 days, and on December 27th, the judge will have the ability to issue a Preliminary Injunction, which would continue to make players currently ineligible to play under the current NCAA Transfer Rules, eligible for the remainder of the trial.

If the trial lasts the remainder of the season, then no harm, no foul, Woods can play. However, if the preliminary injunction is not granted, and NC State decides to play Woods in this 14-day window, he would lose a year of eligibility.

This is from ESPN’s reporting of the NCAA’s published FAQs on the decision.

“The NCAA published an eight-question document designed to help its membership in understanding issues stemming from Wednesday’s decision. The fourth question asked whether the season of competition legislation applies to a student-athlete competing during the 14-day TRO.

“Yes,” the document states. “The 14-day TRO only enjoined Bylaw 14.5.5.1 and does not change the season of competition legislation.”

So there is risk involved here…

And even if the injunction is granted, the rule only would apply until the trial is finalized, which COULD happen sooner than the end of the season. If the trial goes in favor of the NCAA, then Woods would become ineligible again this season AND lose a year of eligibility.

All that to say, this is super complicated, but most coaches are likely going to be pretty conservative here.

LSU, UTSA, and McNeese State all held out players already who were now eligible under the TRO. NC State will likely do the same.

Meanwhile, former NC State PG, Cam Hayes, who transferred to ECU,  suited up for the Pirates and played 25 minutes. Unfortunately, he went 1-9 from the floor, and finished with 2 points in their game last night vs. Florida.

UNLV’s Keylan Boone also jumped the gun and played in the Runnin’ Rebels win over Creighton. He was a transfer from Pacific, who had already transferred from OK State, and was awaiting a waiver.

Keatts will likely play it conservatively with Woods against a Top 15-ranked Tennessee squad. Woods likely wouldn’t break into the lineup over Horne and Taylor, who are both playing well, so there isn’t a point in potentially risking burning a year of eligibility for nothing…but no official word yet, so anything is possible.

 

Related Topics:
Click to comment
Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

NC State Basketball

The Roster for the NC State Men’s Basketball Team is all but Set Heading into 2024-25

Published

2 days ago

on

May 3, 2024

By

NC State does have 1 scholarship available, and could still add a player out of the Transfer Portal. With that being said, the roster for the Men’s Basketball team is pretty much set for the 2024-25 season.

Non-graduates had to enter the Transfer Portal by April 30th, and Graduates had to enter by May 1st. Jayden Taylor and Michael O’Connell both made public announcements that they were returning, but the closure of entrance to the Portal means that Breon Pass, Ben Middlebrooks, Dennis Parker Jr. and MJ Rice are all set to return next season.

In a world where the Transfer Portal has all but become free agency in College Basketball, with some players switching schools on an annual basis, it’s encouraging that Kevin Keatts not only recruited a Top-10 Transfer Class, but also recruited a majority of the eligible players to stay. Three players that could transfer entered the Portal (I’m not counting Mohamed Diarra in these numbers, who opted to go pro), while 6 opted to continue running with the Wolfpack.

As a result, below is a breakdown of the roster for the NC State Men’s Basketball team heading into 2024-25, realizing the Wolfpack could still add one player (this team is deep).

1 year of Eligibility 

Guard Michael O’Connell
Guard Marcus Hill
Guard Breon Pass
Guard/Forward Jayden Taylor
Forward/Guard Dontrez Styles
Forward Ben Middlebrooks
Center Brandon Huntley-Hatfield

2 Years of Eligibility

Guard/Forward MJ Rice
Guard Mike James
Guard Jordan Snell (Walk-On)
Guard KJ Keatts (Walk-On)

3 Years of Eligibility 

Guard/Forward Dennis Parker Jr.

4 Years of Eligibility 

Guard Paul McNeil
Guard Trey Parker

Continue Reading

NC State Basketball

NC State’s Men’s Basketball 2024 Transfer Class Ranks in the Top-10 Nationally

Published

3 days ago

on

May 2, 2024

By

NC State’s Men’s Basketball team has picked up 4 players from the Transfer Portal this offseason, and the class ranks 10th nationally according to ON3, and 15th nationally according to 247Sports.

ON3

247Sports

NC State’s 2024 4-Man Transfer Class

Center Brandon Huntley-Hatfield (Louisville)

Guard/Forward Dontez Styles (Georgetown)

Guard Mike James (Louisville)

Guard Marcus Hill (Bowling Green)

NC State still has a chance to move up in the rankings. East Carolina Power Forward Ezra Ausar just wrapped up an Official Visit to NC State, and things are looking good for the Wolfpack. ON3 ranks Ausar as the #67 overall player in the Portal, and the #15 Power Forward.

Continue Reading

NC State Basketball

WATCH: Andy Katz’s Offseason Convo with NC State’s Kevin Keatts

Published

3 days ago

on

May 2, 2024

By

Andy Katz is beginning to make his rounds for his Offseason Convo series, and he took the time to meet with NC State Head Coach Kevin Keatts.

In their conversation, Keatts talked about what this run has meant to Raleigh and the Wolfpack fans, how it has helped sell the program the way it deserves to be in recruiting, and even how it helped and hurt in the world of the Transfer Portal.

Check out the conversation below:

Continue Reading

NC State Basketball

Guard Mike O’Connell Announces He Will Play His Final Year of Eligibility at NC State

Published

3 days ago

on

May 1, 2024

By

Guard Michael O’Connell announced today that he will be playing his final year of eligibility at NC State next season.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Michael O’Connell (@michaeloc_12)

Today was the final day graduate players could enter the Portal.

This past season, O’Connell averaged 5.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists for the Wolfpack, starting 22 of the 41 games he played in.

O’Connell took over as NC State’s starting Point Guard on January 30th in a win against Miami.

He only scored in double figures in 9 of his 41 games this season, but 6 of those came in postseason play (5 in the ACC Tournament). O’Connell took things to another level in the ACC Tournament, playing aggressive on the offensive end, looking for his shot, and attacking the rim.

NC State played it’s best basketball of the season when O’Connell was running the show. He ranked 3rd in the ACC in Assist/Turnover Ratio (2.5).

Heading into next season, with a lineup filled with new faces, having the calming presence of a veteran leader like O’Connell is reassuring.

Continue Reading