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Pack in the Pros

Inside Look: A Conversation with Scott Wood

Published

10 years ago

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(‘Inside Look’ is our newest column written by former Wolfpack manager Tyler White. Tyler attended NC State from 2009 to 2013 and worked with the basketball team as a student manager and as the head student manager his senior year under Coach Gottfried’s staff.)

Little John’s Coliseum. 7.5 seconds left in the game. N.C. State down by 2. A familiar play is drawn up for the all-time leader of made 3-pointers in N.C. State history, Scott Wood. The ball is inbounded to Lorenzo Brown while Scott lures his defender baseline. Hooking back around a Richard Howell screen, Scott is open for one of his 334 career makes from deep. As the ball clears the net the bench erupts-including myself. Seriously, check the video. State would go on to win this game by one.

When Scott arrived on campus in 2009 I don’t think many people expected him to have many all-time records under his belt by graduation. Hanging up his jersey after four years on the N.C. State roster, however, Scott had made his mark in the history books. At the end of his college basketball career he achieved the following bests at N.C. State:
• Minutes Played (4,318)
• Games Played (138)
• Games Started (136)
• 3-Pointers Attempted (809)
• 3-Pointers Made (334)
• Free Throw % (88.5)
• Free Throw % Single Season (91.4)

Scott and I joined the Wolfpack family at the same time. As we spent countless hours together in practice, on road trips, and at games, we became friends and still keep in touch to this day. As many of you know, Scott is currently playing for UCAM Murcia in the Spain ACB league. I recently had the opportunity to ask him what he has been up to, how he is adjusting to professional basketball, and life in a new culture.

What’s your favorite part about playing basketball professionally?
Not having to wear a suit and sitting at a desk from 9 to 5, just not my style. Plus I get to play the sport I love for a living.

What’s been the biggest adjustment living in Spain opposed to living in the US?
Just being away from my family and girlfriend. They came to a lot of games at State. Also not having any American restaurants, my favorites are B-Dubs, Red Lobster, and Chili’s.

What are the fans like?
The fans are actually great! Not nearly as many as we had at the PNC, but they too are loud and rambunctious.

What’s been your most memorable game to date professionally? Why?
Bilbao. Didn’t play well at all but hit a game winner.

How would you describe your teammates? Have they accepted you?
Yeah I would say so; it was bumpy at the start because I haven’t played with any of the guys before, not knowing their strengths and what their tendencies were. At state I played with the same core for most of my 4 years. My transition has been difficult but a fun one.

Learned Spanish?
Si Senor

Do you plan on coming back to Raleigh?
I’m going to try. It’s going to be a busy summer with training and visiting family.

Will you take part in any of the summer pick up games at the Dail Center? What former players do you want to team up with?
I don’t think I want to play with anyone; I just want to beat them! They all talk a lot of trash, so I want to win so I don’t end up in Twitter talk…Cough Cough Julius Hodge.

What was your favorite thing about playing at N.C. State?Everything. I enjoyed the classes that were after 11:15 as well as all the friendships that I developed. The absolute best college fans on earth. The post game interviews….” Has your wife every cheated on you??” The ups and downs that have helped make me a better person as well as a better athlete. Our coaching staff which taught me so much on and off the court. Personally I wouldn’t trade my experience at N.C. State for anything. It was wonderful.

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Pack in the Pros

Mike Tomlin’s Thoughts on the Steelers Drafting NC State’s Payton Wilson

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3 days ago

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April 29, 2024

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Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin was ecstatic that NC State Linebacker Payton Wilson was available for Pittsburgh to pick up with the 98th overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft.

“We had to get comfortable with his medical and we brought him in on a pre draft visit. We allowed our medical experts to really get a good evaluation of him. We talked to him about his injury history. We were at a place of comfort. And so from that perspective, man, we’re really excited about having him.” (Link)

“Man, we’re really excited about Peyton. When we turn his tape on, we see him making all the type of plays you need linebackers to make. He’s a volume tackle player. He makes plays in the passing game from a coverage perspective via interception and pass breakup. He gets after the quarterback in the blitz game. He’s got a very well-rounded skillset. He’s a fluid mover. He can run. Had an opportunity to lay some real up close eyes on him down there in Mobile at the Senior Bowl, we’re thankful we had an opportunity to get him. He’s got all the hardware that comes with some of those things that I described being a Butkus Award winner and so forth. We had to get comfortable with his medical and we brought him in on a pre draft visit. We allowed Our medical experts to really get a good evaluation of him. We talked to him about his injury history. We were at a place of comfort. And so from that perspective, man, we’re really excited about having him.” (Link)

“I think you could characterize it as surprised. I mean, he is an award-winning linebacker, Butkus Award winner. Had an opportunity to get really familiar with him down in Mobile as well. But the linebackers themselves weren’t coming off the board at that juncture. So sometimes they make runs on positions at different times and it hadn’t been a lot of linebackers to that point. I think what he was number five or so.” (Link)

“We’re really excited about Payton. When we turn his tape on, we see him making all the types of plays you need linebackers to make. He’s a volume tackle player. He makes plays in the passing game from a coverage perspective via interception and pass breakup. He gets after the quarterback in the blitz game. He’s got a very well-rounded skill set. He’s a fluid mover. We had to get comfortable with his medical, and we were. We brought him in on a pre-draft visit to allow our medical experts to really get a good evaluation of him. We talked to him about his injury history. We were at a place of comfort, and so from that perspective, we’re really excited about having him.” (Link)

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Pack in the Pros

Payton Wilson will Wear #41 for the Pittsburgh Steelers

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4 days ago

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April 28, 2024

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Former NC State Linebacker Payton Wilson, who was drafted by Pittsburgh in 3rd round on Friday night, will wear the #41 for the Steelers.

Wilson spent his entire collegiate career at NC State wearing the #11. He wore the #11 at Orange High School.

It will take some getting used to recognize him in the #41 jersey. Currently, Steelers Wide Receiver Van Jefferson is wearing the #11.

Here’s a look at other Pittsburgh players who have worn the #41.

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NC State Football

NC State CB Shyheim Battle Receives Invitation to Jets Rookie Mini Camp

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5 days ago

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April 28, 2024

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NC State Cornerback Shyheim Battle has received an invitation from the New York Jets to participate in their Rookie Mini Camp.

Battle had 1 year of eligibility remaining, but declared for the NFL Draft on January 3rd.

He finished this past year as the most experienced player on the Wolfpack’s defense, starting in 41 of the 51 games he has played in dating back to 2019. In a rarity in this day-and-age, Battle was a 4-year starter at the Cornerback position for NC State. He graduated with a degree in Communications.

In his final season in Red and White, Battle had 46 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 4 pass breakups and 1 fumble recovery. His PFF Grade of 70.6 was the 7th best on the Wolfpack defense.

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NC State Football

NC State PK Brayden Narveson Signs Undrafted Free Agent Deal with the Titans

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5 days ago

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April 27, 2024

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NC State Place Kicker Brayden Narveson has signed an Undrafted Free Agent Deal with the Tennessee Titans.

In his one season in Raleigh, Narveson made 18 of his 23 Field Goal attempts for the Wolfpack, and made all 38 Extra Point attempts. Narveson made some history in his one season at NC State, kicking a 57-yard Field Goal against Duke, breaking the school record for the longest Field Goal.

Narveson ranked 4th in the ACC in Field Goals attempted (23), and 5th in Field Goals made (18) this season. He ranked 9th in conference in scoring (7.1 points per game).

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