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Primetime with the Pack Recap: Funderburk wins dunk contest, Daniels wins 3pt shootout

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6 years ago

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Primetime with the Pack was a success in many ways for NC State.

The biggest success was the fact that they raised nearly $15,000 for Hurricane Florence disaster relief.

The event also allowed Pack fans to meet a roster filled with new players and see them compete in a skills competition, a 3pt shootout and a dunk contest. Here is what we learned…

-Kevin Keatts son can dance
Keatts didn’t repel down from the rafters or go shirtless for a boxing match (a la Mark Gottfried). In fact, Keatts left the entertainment of his entrance to his son who rattled off a bunch of 2018s viral dance moves, putting the crowd in a frenzy.

-Wyatt Walker’s entrace will never be forgotten
Pack fans really haven’t gotten to know Wyat Walker up until now, and man did the grad-transfer from Samford make an entrace. Walker came out to a little Guns n Roses, head-banging with his massive mane and shredding his air guitar.

-Devon Daniels’ (who won the 3pt shootout) shot is as good as advertised and Jericole Hellems has a better stroke than we thought
Devon Daniels is billed as the replacement to Al Freeman. The two battled daily in practice and two separate sources told us that Daniels often got the best of Freeman. He will be asked to shoulder a great deal of NC State’s scoring load since he can score at all 3 levels with ease. Today was his first time being able to show the public a preview of his offensive abilities. We also got to see freshman Jericole Hellems participate, and he’s actually a much better spot shooter than we expected.

– Sophomore transfer DJ Funderburk (who won the dunk contest) is 6’9 and freaky athletic. Missouri transfer Blake Harris can fly, and Ian Steere dunked over his bodybuilder dad.
Blake Harris was always billed as a kid who could really fly and finish above the rim while he was in high school at Word of God in Raleigh. Last night he got to show it at NC State. Meanwhile, the biggest takeaway from this dunk contest is that DJ Funderburk is a freak of nature. The guy is 6’9 and reeled off some spectacular dunks. He had a nice little cradle revers and then won the contest with a dunk from a foot inside the free throw line. Check out the dunks below.

Overall, the men’s basketball kickoff event went great. The fans enjoyed the festivities and the contests and it seemed like the players were amped up to get this season going.

While we used to like to see the red/white scrimmage that they used to host, it’s probably better that they don’t do it anymore. It sometimes got boring, you risk players getting hurt, and there is no defense. So while it gives a site like ours more to talk about an examine, doing it the way they did is probably the right call.

Next up for the basketball team is a closed door ‘secret-scrimmage’ against ECU on Sunday followed by the first open exhibition game that fans can attend. That takes place October 29th vs. Chowan at 7pm at the PNC Arena.

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NC State Basketball

NC State is Adding UMASS’ Brett Nelson as an Assistant Coach

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1 day ago

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May 15, 2024

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According to reports, NC State is adding UMASS’ Brett Nelson as an Assistant Coach.

Nelson was only at UMASS for 1 season under Frank Martin. Prior to that, Nelson was the Head Coach at Holy Cross for 4 seasons, posting a 27-84 record.

Prior to taking the Head Coaching mantle at Holy Cross, Nelson was at Marquette for 5 seasons, spending the first 3 as an Assistant Coach, and the final two as an Associate Head Coach. Prior to Marquette, Nelson also served as an Assistant Coach at Ball St., Drake, Arkansas and Marshall.

Before coaching basketball, Nelson played for the University of Florida from 1999-2003. He was All-SEC twice, and earned Third Team All-American honors. When he left Gainesville, he was the Gators’ all-time leader in three pointers made, and ranked 2nd in steals.

As a Senior in High School, Nelson was a McDonald’s All-American.

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NC State Basketball

Ernest Ross Announces He is Returning to NC State

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2 days ago

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May 15, 2024

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Power Forward Ernest Ross announced this morning that he is returning to NC State for his final year of eligibility.

 

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Last Friday, Ross committed to UTSA after entering the Transfer Portal on April 17th, but it looks like he had a change of heart over the past couple of days.

NC State has been in desperate need to add a Big out of the Portal. They have hosted ECU’s Ezra Ausar and Georgia’s Frank Anselem-Ibe, but neither of them have found a home yet. With the addition of Ross, NC State has added depth in the Frontcourt, and unless something changes, their roster is full with 13 scholarship players.

Ross played in 14 games this past season, averaging 3.4 minutes per contest. After playing in 34 games last season, averaging 11.4 minutes per contest, Ross saw his participation dip to a career low this season, but that didn’t for a second break his infectious personality. On the sideline, you could count on Ross every single game to be the heart and soul of the Wolfpack on the bench. To watch a player who played as little as he did, care as much as he did, makes me super proud that this young man represented NC State so well.

Ross was a consensus 4-star player in NC State’s 2021 recruiting class, with 247Sports ranking him as the #60 overall player nationally. ESPN ranked him as the #5 overall player in the state of Florida.

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NC State Basketball

A Matchup Between NC State & Marquette Next Season Might be in the Works

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2 days ago

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May 15, 2024

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According to NCAA.com’s Andy Katz, a matchup between NC State and Marquette next season might be in the works.

This past year, the Wolfpack defeated the Golden Eagles 67-58 in the Sweet 16 of the 2024 NCAA Tournament.

NC State and Marquette have played one another 6 times overall, with the Wolfpack holding a 4-2 lead in the series, winning the past two matchups.

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NC State Basketball

NC State Men’s Basketball Will Play in the 2025 Maui Invitational

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3 days ago

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May 14, 2024

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The NC State Men’s Basketball Team will be playing in the 2025 Maui Invitational, on November 24-26 in Hawaii. This will mark the first time that NC State has ever played in the Maui Invitational.

NC State will be joined by Baylor, Oregon, Seton Hall, Texas, UNLV, USC and Chaminade.

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