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
I heard Rice is looking to go somewhere else if his playing time doesn’t improve. What a waste of talent if that happens and it’s all on you KKIAL.
Everybody is held to a higher standard, except for the coaching staff. We are priveledged and get a lot of money to be mediocre.
And here I was thinking it was a great move by Keatts to reward O’Connell for his strong play.
I was really annoyed when O’Connell didn’t start the 2nd half and then Louisville ran amok the first four minutes after intermission.
It was a tough final 2 minutes for O’Connell but he’s earned more PT.
Same. I was thinking Keatts noticed that O’Connell is an actual PG and isn’t always looking to shoot. As a team, they play so much better when he’s in there. I was pissed at the start of the 2nd half too.
He is detrimental on defense. Almost cost us the game in Louisville. So if and when he has one good game doesn’t make him a real asset.
Here are you actual words in a comment earlier, “Much like there are matchups where O’Connell shouldn’t be on the floor”. Care to explain or just agree that he is detrlment most of the time.