— NC State Men’s Basketball (@PackMensBball) June 26, 2024
I’m Dontrez Styles, a transfer from Georgetown University. I knew where I wanted to be. At the end of the day, I knew I wanted to come back home and play for a guy like Keatts. That was the main thing for me.
Being back home is amazing. My family can see me play every game now. An hour from Kinston, North Carolina. It’s a small city. I love it. Just growing there. A lot of great guys. A lot of great basketball players. My family is there. It’s my life.
I grew up in the Brandon Ingram era, so I went to every Kinston High School game. Just seeing him play motivated me to get in the gym and keep working. The grind has paid off.
It’s crazy. I would have never imagined this happening. It’s very rare for someone to go to North Carolina and NC State. Me being one of the first guys to do that, I believe it’s different, but I’m enjoying it so far. I can’t wait to get started.
Coach (Levi) Watkins recruited me when he was at Ole Miss. He’s been with me since my Sophomore year, I believe. Just having that relationship with them makes it easier every day.
Just being back, it’s going to be very fun, especially now. The hype is crazy. I can’t wait to be back home and get started, and hopefully win that National Championship.
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Styles was the 2nd leading scorer for Georgetown this past season, averaging 12.8 points per game, while grabbing 5.8 boards. He shot 36.8% from three.
Originally, Sytles was a consensus 4-Star prospect in UNC’s 2021 recruiting class. 247Sports ranked him as the #62 overall player nationally, and the #2 player in the state of North Carolina, playing for Kinston High School.
After two seasons with the Tar Heels, Styles entered the Portal, and took an Official Visit to NC State and Georgetown, and ultimately chose the Hoyas.
Styles will be spending his final year of eligibility with NC State.
NC State’s Women’s Basketball team will be playing in the 2024 Jimmy V Classic on December 15th at Louisville at 1pm on ABC.
Because the game will be against the Cardinals, it will serve as the Wolfpack’s ACC opener.
Here’s a look at the other matchups in the Women’s Jimmy V Classic.
This marks the 5th time that the NC State Women’s Basketball team has played in the Jimmy V Classic: UConn (2002), Texas (2003), Tennessee (2004), South Carolina (2020).
The Wolfpack are 8-8 all-time against Louisville, but are currently on a 5-game winnings streak against the Cardinals.
ESPN ranks NC State 8th in their Way-Too-Early 2024-25 Preseason Top-25, and they rank Louisville 12th. The Wolfpack finished 4th in the AP Poll last season, and the Cardinals finished 30th.
Back at the end of July, it was reported that NC State’s Men’s Basketball team would play Purdue this upcoming season in the Rady Children’s Invitational, in a rematch from last year’s Final Four.
Now we know the time, date and network.
The game will be on November 28th at 3pm. The game will be televised on FS1. The games will be played in Liontree Arena in San Diego.
BYU and Ole Miss will be the other two teams playing in the tournament.
Last year, BYU finished right outside the Top-25, and Ole Miss is ranked 22nd in ESPN’s Way-Too-Early Top-25. Purdue is ranked 16th in those rankings as well.
The inaugural tournament took place last year, with Iowa, Oklahoma, Seton Hall and USC.
NC State Head Coach Kevin Keatts has opened a Piano Bar called Tempo 33 in Downtown Wilmington.
Tempo 33 had a soft launch on Wednesday, and officially opened to the public tonight.
The piano bar, which includes live entertainment, an expansive bar and upscale, contemporary seating areas, will only open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. It’s on the top floor of the Roudabush building, above Yosake and The Husk on S. Front St. (Link)
Keatts and his business partner Clayton Gsell had been looking for the perfect location, and finally found a home.
The Wolfpack head coach has roots in Wilmington, serving as the Head Men’s Basketball coach for UNCW from 2014-17.
Back on June 24th, NC State landed a massive pickup when Canadian Forward Ismael Diouf (6’9″/215) transferred to run with the Wolfpack. I have confirmed with a source that Diouf is on campus, enrolled for classes, and will start Monday.
There was never any concern here. Diouf’s delay in arrival was simply a matter of processing paperwork.
Diouf played collegiate ball at Laval in Quebec City.
This past season, Diouf averaged 10.1 points and 6.2 rebounds for Laval, and then went on to average 18.3 points and 11.7 rebounds in the Final 8 Tournament, where the Victors won the National Championship. Diouf earned the MVP title in the Tournament.
Wolfpack Assistant Coach Levi Watkins ran point on Diouf’s recruitment.
Diouf has 2-years of eligibility remaining. He was the #1 Draft Pick this year in CEBL, but didn’t sign with the team, making him eligible to still play college ball.
According to a source, the staff believes Diouf is very talented, and will play and contribute this season.