NC State fans have been waiting to see who would fill in as assistant coach under Kevin Keatts after Mike Summey and Roy Roberson were let go just two weeks ago.
That question was answered today when the Pack announced the hiring of former Pack player, Levi Watkins away from Ole Miss.
— NC State Men’s Bball (@PackMensBball) April 1, 2022
Watkins played at NC State from 2002-2005. He was a Parade All-American when he arrived, and although he battled injuries over his career in Raleigh, he was always a solid player who made winning plays. Over his 4 years with the Pack, Watkins averaged 5.1ppg and 2 rebounds per game.
Since then Levi has been an assistant at Buffalo (under Bobby Hurley), and Arizona State (again under Hurley) prior to his time at Ole Miss.
In fact, with 2 spots open, Keatts could and should target both Hodge and Levi Watkins, another former Wolfpack player who has also been rising up the ranks and is currently an assistant at Ole Miss. With the only other notable former player in a high assistant role, Justin Gainey (currently under Rick Barnes at Tennessee), very close to taking a head job, Hodge and Watkins seem like the perfect fit at the perfect time for NC State and Kevin Keatts.
We think this was a great hire. As we mentioned in the above article, Keatts needed to hire (at least one of these spots) within the NC State family for a number of reasons. While Hodge is/was certainly on the radar, Watkins was too, and the hire tells you that Keatts is willing to change his ways a bit as he enters a season that may be make or break for him in Raleigh.
Watkins is known as a good recruiter and it’s likely the staff was looking for a guy who may be able to bring a player or two with him. So stayed turned on that front as well.
I do agree! Once Pack Insider so eloquently unpacked the facts, the idea grew on me quite a bit. This would be great news if Coach KK could pull something like bringing Hodge back home again. What do you do when you’re hungry, Julius!?!
Dof87
2 years ago
OK, lets bring in a proven big from the portal and let Levi do his stuff.
NC State’s Men’s Basketball team has picked up 4 players from the Transfer Portal this offseason, and the class ranks 10th nationally according to ON3, and 15th nationally according to 247Sports.
Andy Katz is beginning to make his rounds for his Offseason Convo series, and he took the time to meet with NC State Head Coach Kevin Keatts.
In their conversation, Keatts talked about what this run has meant to Raleigh and the Wolfpack fans, how it has helped sell the program the way it deserves to be in recruiting, and even how it helped and hurt in the world of the Transfer Portal.
Today was the final day graduate players could enter the Portal.
This past season, O’Connell averaged 5.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists for the Wolfpack, starting 22 of the 41 games he played in.
O’Connell took over as NC State’s starting Point Guard on January 30th in a win against Miami.
He only scored in double figures in 9 of his 41 games this season, but 6 of those came in postseason play (5 in the ACC Tournament). O’Connell took things to another level in the ACC Tournament, playing aggressive on the offensive end, looking for his shot, and attacking the rim.
NC State played it’s best basketball of the season when O’Connell was running the show. He ranked 3rd in the ACC in Assist/Turnover Ratio (2.5).
Heading into next season, with a lineup filled with new faces, having the calming presence of a veteran leader like O’Connell is reassuring.
ECU Transfer Power Forward Ezra Ausar (6’9″/240) was on an Official Visit to NC State yesterday, and according to analysts at ON3 and 247Sports, things are trending in the right direction for the Wolfpack.
Jamie Shaw of ON3 submitted a prediction for Ausar to eventually commit to NC State yesterday morning.
Cory Smith of 247Sports submitted a crystal ball projection for Ausar to run with the Wolfpack this morning.
Ausar just wrapped up his Sophomore season in Greenville, averaging 11.4 points and 4.7 rebounds, shooting 51.4% from the field. As a Freshman, he was named to the AAC All-Freshman Team, averaging 9.8 points and 5.3 rebounds.
Ausar is a consensus 4-Star prospect in the Transfer Portal, and ON3 ranks him as the #60 overall player in the Portal and the #10 Power Forward.
Originally from Atlanta, Ausar played his Senior Season of High School at Liberty Heights Athletic Institute in Charlotte, North Carolina. ON3 ranked Ausar as a 4-Star prospect coming out of high school, the #94 overall player nationally, and the #2 player in the state of North Carolina.
Ausar has visited Seton Hall, Georgia Tech, met over Zoom with Georgetown, and had an in-home visit with Utah. John Calipari and his staff at Arkansas have been in touch with Ausar, as well as Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Virginia Tech, Arizona State, West Virginia, Iowa State and St. John’s. (Link)
At this point, it’s good news that Ausar has no visits scheduled after the visit to NC State.
Ausar has 2 years of eligibility remaining, and NC State currently has 1 scholarship remaining.
Okay Julius, come on down!
I do agree! Once Pack Insider so eloquently unpacked the facts, the idea grew on me quite a bit. This would be great news if Coach KK could pull something like bringing Hodge back home again. What do you do when you’re hungry, Julius!?!
OK, lets bring in a proven big from the portal and let Levi do his stuff.
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