NC State does have 1 scholarship available, and could still add a player out of the Transfer Portal. With that being said, the roster for the Men’s Basketball team is pretty much set for the 2024-25 season.
Non-graduates had to enter the Transfer Portal by April 30th, and Graduates had to enter by May 1st. Jayden Taylor and Michael O’Connell both made public announcements that they were returning, but the closure of entrance to the Portal means that Breon Pass, Ben Middlebrooks, Dennis Parker Jr. and MJ Rice are all set to return next season.
In a world where the Transfer Portal has all but become free agency in College Basketball, with some players switching schools on an annual basis, it’s encouraging that Kevin Keatts not only recruited a Top-10 Transfer Class, but also recruited a majority of the eligible players to stay. Three players that could transfer entered the Portal (I’m not counting Mohamed Diarra in these numbers, who opted to go pro), while 6 opted to continue running with the Wolfpack.
As a result, below is a breakdown of the roster for the NC State Men’s Basketball team heading into 2024-25, realizing the Wolfpack could still add one player (this team is deep).
1 year of Eligibility
Guard Michael O’Connell
Guard Marcus Hill
Guard Breon Pass
Guard/Forward Jayden Taylor
Forward/Guard Dontrez Styles
Forward Ben Middlebrooks
Center Brandon Huntley-Hatfield
2 Years of Eligibility
Guard/Forward MJ Rice
Guard Mike James
Guard Jordan Snell (Walk-On)
Guard KJ Keatts (Walk-On)
3 Years of Eligibility
Guard/Forward Dennis Parker Jr.
4 Years of Eligibility
Guard Paul McNeil
Guard Trey Parker
Backingthepack has a good “4000 words” explanation of KK’s offense. Good reading for those that just see ‘one on one’ and don’t understand what is being run, the challenges of operating without an athletic offensive big man, or why assists were so low this year.
It is still pick and roll and the guard drives and shoot or pulls up for a three. That exactly why KK can’t keep small or power forwards from moving on each year. Take a look at CUSA where players stay together. FAU in the final NCAA four and UAB and North Texas battling for the NIT championship.
How many starting forwards have transferred from KK’s NCSU teams? Are you saying its a long list? How many have done a lot better after transferring?
Starting or the potential to start, Steere, Clark, Gantt, Dowuona, Farrar, Hicks, Taylor, Bates, and Kapita.
Ebe is really a center in KK’s system, as clearly was Bates. Kapita was a Gott player. The short list of others demonstrate my point, prior to this year no real significant forward losses from a KK team. And both Gantt and Clark seemed to stay injured way too much, which hurt us 2 years in a row.
That’s because he can’t recruit forwards because he can’t coach them up. Therefore, we will always be a potential bubble team and a one and done with KK.
If by transferring they have not improved their situation, KK needs to highlight this more and change the style from a guard focused team to a team focused team.
BTW, both San Diego State and FAU had three transfers out and two transfers in last year. 2 of Miami’s key players (Omier and Pack) are players that transferred in this season, plus Jordan Miller who transferred in the year prior.
We have had tons of players transfer out and in. I was referring to a position that we dearly need to be filled with stability not volatility.
I really hate that you guys felt the need to repeat this. It’s just some kid trash talking to get his face out on social media, and reposting just encourages him. Can’t you think of anything else to talk about? Sure, there’s some truth there, but the style he’s criticizing beat Miami, UNC, and Louisville – who beat Clemson. BTW, that’s the same Louisville that won only two conference games, the other one against the second worst team in the ACC (GT). Plus, worst of all, Clemson lost to (Q4 , KP#237) Morehead State in the first round of the… Read more »
Yeah, but he’s not wrong though.
Lots of AAU type of ball on display, which is a stark comparison to a UVA (whom I know KK has beat too). But more discipline and less “AAU Ball” would probably be good for this team.
Not saying they need a complete overhaul…
Which team made the NCAAT again? Who beat a current final four team? Who had the discipline to not let yourself get beat by Quad 4 teams? First round NIT loss at home, while we battled a top tier Creighton team and had our chances late. I get they are butthurt so that’s all well and good. And yes, NC State does allow more chaos and one on one battles on offense. But offense wasn’t our problem against Clemson, our defensive matchups were really bad and they took great advantage of our lack of athleticism and quickness at the 5… Read more »
When you get beat by 30 it’s more than a heavy 5 spot. It’s obvious if we were not hitting 3 at a high rate, we could not contend with anyone. This is KK style which sucks. How long are we going to put up with it is the real question?