Breaking down NC State’s Current Roster: Center

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 Center:

At center, NC State is going to roll out 6’10 center Kyle Evans, the nation’s top shot-blocker at 3.3 blocks per game and a 12-point-per-game scorer. While everyone likes to talk about his shot blocking, and it is elite, he’s also a strong player on the offensive end, shooting 62% from the floor last season. Evans is sneaky athletic, quick off the floor, and has excellent anticipation with the ability to avoid fouling. He’s also a good rebounder who averaged 8.7 boards (and 2.4 offensive boards) per game. He checks just about every box you want in a starting center. Landing him is a major win for the Wolfpack, who desperately missed this type of player last season.

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But we said Evans checks JUST ABOUT every box at center. The one area he struggles with is strength against bigs with a little more beef. Evans is 210 lbs and most ACC centers come in around 240 or 250. While he’s going to be an elite shot eraser, he’s going to have to deal with the big boys of the ACC this season. So what’s their plan to give him a little help there?

Well, they already have Mikey Wilkins, the 6’9″ prospect who was the highlight of Kevin Keats’ final recruiting class. When he first committed, Mikey looked like a more versatile version of DJ Burns — a back-to-the-basket player with strong footwork who could also beat opponents off the dribble. After arriving on campus, his body was completely transformed. While it’s unclear exactly how his game has evolved, he still possesses great footwork and a soft touch. He’s not a stretch shooter or elite rim protector, but at 6’9″ he can serve as a solid 4/5 backup. He’s a valuable wildcard on the roster, seeing as many big men are commanding $2–3 million in NIL deals, NC State appears to be getting him at a very reasonable price. Wilkins is currently listed at 260lbs, but I’m guessing he’s a little lower than that these days.

After that, the Wolfpack would benefit from adding a physical, brute-force type of big. Someone in the mold of Ebube (without the fouls) or some version of Ben Middlebrooks. An enforcer at 6’10 or 6’11 who can anchor the middle, absorb fouls, and battle against more physical teams. Kyle Evans is talented but relatively slender. If he starts getting pushed around under the basket, having a tough, physical presence who can keep opponents at bay would be extremely valuable.

Names for that role will likely start appearing over the next week or two.

I could see a world where, against larger teams, Evans could slide to the 4, give you rim protection, and you could have a bigger, stronger center come in to give you a massive front line. Either way, Evans and Wilkins give you two pretty skilled and versatile bigs who can slot in at either front-court position.