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The NBA Summer League continues today in Vegas and there will be some familiar faces taking the court in the desert. Today TJ Warren will take the court for the Phoenix Suns as they take on the Washington Wizards. The game will be shown online with NBA Summer League Pass. If you have the NBATV channel they are showing multiple games throughout the day. TJ will be the primary option for the Suns summer league team. Every time TJ was featured in the D-League he put up huge numbers. The main thing TJ needs to work on is his 3-point shooting if he wants to grab even more minutes this season. I expect big numbers out of TJ, while being super efficient. He proved last season in limited games that he is more than capable of filling up the stat sheet.

TJ is not the only former State player taking the floor today, because Lorenzo Brown and Trevor Lacey will also be in action.

Brown will be looking to build upon an excellent performance yesterday in which he helped lead the Timberwolves to a win over the Lakers. Lorenzo will have to continue to prove that he is worthy of being on the roster come the start of training camp. In my opinion he is really playing for a potential spot with another team. Yes, he is under contract (not guaranteed), but if you look at the roster situation for the T-Wolves they are pretty loaded at the point position. Ricky Rubio is the unquestioned starter and one of the faces of the franchise.  Behind him they have second year wonder kid Zach Levine and they just drafted Tyus Jones in the first round.  If Zo can show that he can run a team and provide scoring then he should land on an NBA team that needs help off the bench. He has great length and can guard multiple positions. Players that can guard multiple position are in high demand after the Warriors had so much success defensively this past season, as they switched every pick and roll.

Lacey will probably see more minutes today if he can stay out of foul trouble. One of the biggest challenges for Trevor will be his quickness and his ability to stay in front of opposing point guards. In the NBA there is no position that is as stacked as the point position and the level of athleticism in the NBA is unbelievable. Lacey will have to show that he is more of an asset offensively than a liability defensively. He cannot have more turnovers than assists as he did last game. I am confident that he will adjust and stay out of foul trouble in today’s game, which should allow him to get into a better rhythm offensively. A couple of things he has in his favor is that the Cavs are strapped for cash, because they have been shelling out big contracts this off-season and he is represented by the same agent (Rich Paul) that represents Lebron. Hopefully Lacey will light up the box score today as they face the Brooklyn Nets.

Schedule: 

Washington vs. Phoenix 6:00 EST 

Chicago vs. Minnesota 6:30 EST 

Brooklyn vs. Cleveland 10:00 EST  

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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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