Breaking down NC State’s Current Roster: Power Forward

We took a look at the roster so far and went position by position on our Podcast, looking at what NC State has and what they need. Here is our segment on PF:

NC State has added 6’8″ power forward Eemeli Yalaho from Washington State (and before that, Texas Tech).  This is a strong addition that seemingly came out of nowhere, and one I don’t think enough NC State fans are fully appreciating yet.

Yalaho is a double-digit scorer, averaging 10 points per game and also giving you 5.7 rebounds per game. He reminds me a lot of what we hoped Darian Williams would become, only slightly taller. Their rebounding numbers are nearly identical in their year prior to joining the Wolfpack. Yalaho with that 5.7 per game and Darrion at 5.5 per game. Darrion shot 34% prior to coming to Raleigh (though he shot 40% last season for the Pack), and Yalaho shot 40% from three-point range, but on less volume.

The major difference is efficiency inside the arc. Darrion Williams struggled significantly there, shooting around 42%. Yalaho, by contrast, shot 55% inside.

While Yalaho is not the same level of playmaker or passer as Williams in terms of vision and creating for teammates, Yalaho is a more traditional stretch four who can step out and knock down a 3. Giving you the ability to space the floor, but isn’t going to thrive with the heavy usage that Williams needed.

Williams was a guy who, in theory, could handle the ball and make plays with the ball in his hands. But in reality, his handle was as secure as you’d hope, and his inability to finish around the rim limited his ability to use his best attribute…his passing.

Teams didn’t really need to come over and help on Williams with him shooting just 42% inside the arc, and that closed up the passing lanes, which made him a more one-dimensional player than what we expected. This is where I think you get an upgrade (in a way) with Yalaho. He’s bigger, my physical and with a better motor at the 4. He can give you that dimension of stepping out and hitting the 3, while also being someone who can give you the size/physicality of a traditional 4.

If NC State pairs him with Edmead and Hammond, along with a shooter like Paul McNeil…then watch out. You’ll have shooters everywhere, which means elite-level floor spacing.

That kind of spacing would be a major benefit for players like Kyle Evans. He’s already a serious offensive threat in one-on-one situations and holds up well in traffic, but having this much room to operate would make him even more effective. The same applies to Edmead and Hammond. Defenders won’t be able to sag off or gap as easily when they have to stay glued to shooters on the perimeter. There simply won’t be as much traffic in the paint.

I like Yalaho a lot. NC State needs to get him signed soon, because he’s the type of player other programs could pursue if he remains unsigned.

What else do they need at the four spot?

Yalaho is 6’8 and projects as a true four. He shows some athleticism on film, but he’s not an above-the-rim guy. He’s a floor spacing guy who can also match up with most opposing 4s (most nights). That said, I’d love to see NC State add a 6’9 or 6’10 athlete who plays above the rim, dominates the glass, and brings elite defense. Essentially, the mold of a Mo Diarra whose emergence played a huge role in the Pack’s Final Four run.

There was talk about James Scott from Ole Miss. But he recently chose Georgia. It will be interesting to see how NC State views their backup 4. There is some thought that they could bring back Musa Sagnia on a lesser deal and try to build him into someone who could give you backup minutes behind Yalaho. Last year his Defensive Box +/- was 2.1, which is good. However, his offense against physical teams almost made him. unplayable. I’m starting to believe this is the avenue NC State will go after, dropping big money on Paul McNeil Jr.

Lastly, I think there is a certain type of matchup where you could see Kyle Evans at the 4, but that’s only if you get a big-time enforcer-type backup at the 5. But we’ll get into that when we talk about centers.