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Terquavion Smith opts out of NBA Draft: HEEEE’S BAAAAACK!!!

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2 years ago

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Last year, Terquavion Smith was a record-setting freshman scorer for NC State. He then decided to enter the NBA Draft to get feedback, with the option to pull out by June 1st.

During that time howver, Smith blew up.

Smith excelled at every workout, and soon he was being mentioned as a sure-fire 1st rounder. It started to become more and more likely that Smith would keep his name in the draft.

That was, until today.

Smith shocked everyone when he decided to pull out and spend one more year in college at NC State.

This bucks the trend of NC State losing guys prematurely to the draft. It’s a feather in Keatts cap as well, showing the fanbase that there is belief in his program from his players.

In a showing of extreme confidence, Smith has decided to bet on himself. To come back, improve, bulk up, and become a potential lottery pick next season.

You have to love this move and it’s going to really cement Smith as a fan favorite this coming season. A kid who could have gone first round, that decided to trust Keatts and NC State with helping him improve, up his stock, and likely reach his ceiling at the college level before turning pro.

Did NIL money come into play? We aren’t sure, but likely when a kid makes a move like this, he has some insurance built in. We’ll keep you updated, but suddenly NC State is looking like a contender for next season.

Take a look at this potential lineup.

PG- Jarkell Joiner (transfer from Ole Miss)
SG- Terquavion Smith
SF- Jack Clark (transfer from LaSalle)
PF- Ernest Ross (coming off injury)
C- DJ Burns (Big South MVP and tranfer from Winthrop)

The bench is also pretty stacked..

PG- Breon Pass
SG- LJ Thomas
SF- Casey Morsell
PF- Greg Gantt
C- Dusan Mahorcic/Ebe Duowuona

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Papajohn
Papajohn
1 year ago

A most unexpected, happy, surprise.
You wonder if Keatts suspected this might happen. So far as we know, he never entertained a SG for an OV. On the other hand, he went right after a PG.

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Afterglow
Afterglow
1 year ago

YESSSSSSSS!!!

2
Rev
Rev
1 year ago
Reply to  Afterglow

You my friend still held hope when many of us were sure he was gone. THANKS!

2
Afterglow
Afterglow
1 year ago
Reply to  Rev

I do what I can. Now maybe, just maybe, Seabron can put the cherry on top.

0

NC State Basketball

Guard Mike O’Connell Announces He Will Play His Final Year of Eligibility at NC State

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2 hours ago

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May 1, 2024

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Guard Michael O’Connell announced today that he will be playing his final year of eligibility at NC State next season.

 

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A post shared by Michael O’Connell (@michaeloc_12)

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.

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NC State Basketball

ECU Transfer Forward Ezra Ausar to NC State is Trending Up

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14 hours ago

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May 1, 2024

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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.

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NC State Basketball

NC State Signee Zamareya Jones Showed Out in the McDonald’s & Jordan All-American Games

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15 hours ago

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May 1, 2024

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NC State 2024 signee Zamareya Jones has played in the McDonald’s All-American game and the Jordan Brand Classic over the past month.

In the McDonald’s game on April 2nd, Jones had 13 points, helping her East squad defeat the West.

 

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In the Jordan Brand Classic on April 21st, Jones had 15 points, 5 assists and 3 rebounds. She also hit the game winner for Team Flight.

Jones is a 5-star prospect in the Wolfpack’s 2024 recruiting class, ranked 21st overall nationally by ESPN.

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NC State Basketball

NC State’s Kevin Keatts and DJ Burns Sounded the Siren at the Canes Game Tonight

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1 day ago

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April 30, 2024

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NC State Head Coach Kevin Keatts and the beloved DJ Burns were both Siren Sounders for the Canes this evening, with Carolina defeating the Islanders 6-3, winning the Round 1 series 4-1.

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