USC Power Forward Brandon Gardner (6’8″/215) listed NC State in his Top-6 along with Jacksonville, San Francisco, Arizona St., Texas A&M and Arizona.
Gardner was a 4-star prospect in the 2023 recruiting class, with Rivals ranking him as the #74 overall player nationally, and ESPN ranking him as the #2 player in the state of New York (Christ the King, New York City). He is originally from Waynesboro, Georgia. Prior to playing for Christ the King, Gardner played for Word of God Academy, so Raleigh is familiar to him.
Kevin Keatts and his NC State Coaching Staff offered Gardner when he was in high school.
Prior to committing to USC, Gardner was committed to St. John’s.
This past season Gardner only played in 4 minutes in 1 game for the Trojans, making it a redshirt season.
Gardner will have 4 years of eligibility wherever he lands.
East Carolina Power Forward Transfer Ezra Ausar (6’9″/240) will be taking an Official Visit to NC State starting today.
As @PackPride first reported yesterday afternoon, NC State is set to host ECU transfer big man Ezra Ausar for an official visit starting today.
The 6-foot-8, 247-pound forward averaged 11.4 points, 4.7 rebounds & shot 52% from the floor last year.
📝: https://t.co/QwxwNRZPLJ pic.twitter.com/ZKU3RYUmTt
— Cory Smith (@RCorySmith) April 30, 2024
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 #57 overall player in the Portal and the #9 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)
Ausar has 2 years of eligibility remaining, and NC State currently has 1 scholarship remaining.
NC State Basketball
PI EXCLUSIVE: Bowling Green Transfer Guard Marcus Hill Explains Why He Chose NC State
Last week, Bowling Green Transfer Guard Marcus Hill (6’4″/185) committed to NC State. I caught up with Hill to get his take on why he chose to run with the Wolfpack.
What were the reasons that ultimately led you to commit to NC State? What other schools were recruiting you besides the Wolfpack?
The coaching staff was very professional and straight to the point. They had a detailed plan of my role on the team and how it transitions to the next level. The campus was beautiful, and everyone was super nice. There were several schools from each of the Power 5 conferences that we talked to. The list was very long, and I would like to thank every coach that showed interest in me.
Break down your Official Visit. What did you do? What impression did it make on you and your family?
After entering the campus and meeting the entire coaching staff, we also met with academic advisors. School staff was super nice and acted like we were already family. We had lunch and dinner with staff, the restaurants were prepared, and the food was awesome. We toured the campus with staff, and were treated with a lot of respect. My family enjoyed the coaches and the campus environment.
How did Coach Keatts say you would fit within his offensive system?
Coach Keatts had prepared film on how I would fit into the offense, so after watching the video it was clearly understandable what my role would be.
What impression did NC State’s Final Four run have on you? How did it influence your decision?
NC State’s Final Four run impressed me due to the guys on the team being overlooked and undervalued. They played together and were really enjoying the moment. Basketball can be stressful, however they made it look exciting and fun.
What type of player is NC State getting in Marcus Hill?
Marcus Hill Jr., I’m a great person with a great attitude. I love to win and compete in everything I do. I take pride in defense, but can score from anywhere on the court. I’m unselfish and love to see my teammates succeed. I’ve been overlooked and underestimated, but My God has the ultimate say so!
_______
This past season, Hill averaged 20.5 points and 5.0 rebounds per game for the Falcons. He earned 1st Team All-MAC honors. Even though he was only at Bowling Green one season, he had one of the best seasons in school history, scoring 698 points, which ranks 5th all-time in program history for a single season.
For his first two years of collegiate ball, Hill played for Southern Union State College (JUCO) in Alabama. In 2022-23, Hill earned 3rd Team NJCAA All-American honors, and ranked as the #32 overall Junior College prospect.
247Sports ranks Hill as a 4-Star Transfer Prospect, and the #87 overall player in the Transfer Portal, and the #12 Shooting Guard.
Even though 247Sports and ON3 consider Hill a Shooting Guard, NC State is recruited him as a Point Guard.
Coach Gott,
Everyone knows you can produce great guards. Work on getting our big me above average.
#GETEMRIGHTCOACH!
Actually Im not that upset with the game. 1 we came out with energy and intensity. that was a great thing we were moving the ball, players were moving around the court etc. We were looking like a good team. But that was part of the problem. We came out with energy and intensity but WE HAVE NEVER played like that before so thats whats caused the turnovers. Turnovers really hurts teams.
If we can play with that energy and cut back on the turnovers we will be good to go. But that comes with coaching and consistent play. Abu showed that jumper Ive been looking for now he needs to work on hands and feet in the post. Kapita will learn how to cut back on the fouls (coaching). Starting lineup should be. Smith, Henderson, Dorn, Kapita, Y7 or Abu. #GETEMRIGHTCOACHGOTT!! #GOPACK
This team was over hyped as most state teams are when we get a few decent recruits. I feel this team will be very lucky if they make the NCAA tournament. They are not very good at any facet of the game.
Dennis and Terry really played like crap this game. Kapita played well but again picked up some early fouls. Markell played really well but got called for some dubious fouls. Abu hit some jumpers but the turnovers and some head scratchers on defense cancelled out his good shooting. Oh well, I guess Gott can still blame not having Yurt7 for this performance.
This is a horrible team. Getting Yurt7 will not help. Gott does not know how to integrate a big into the offense. Yurt7 doesn’t play defense either. Four guards and a big is stupid. We put no pressure on the other team with offensive rebounding. This is very disheartening. I should have attended UNC back in the day. I’m really tired of these losers. I wasted money on Saturday, no more.
I agree with you but that won’t stop Gott from using his excuses.
This is actually a great team.. Got just got to get them right!
#GETEMRIGHTGOTT!!!
Speaking of losers, you never have anything good to say on this site. Im guessing you are the type of guy that if you won a million dollars, you would complain because they gave it to you in $20 bills. Go pull for UNC, WPN has no use for you.
This is a really horrible team. Taking long 2’s, taking too many chances on D, stupid foul after stupid foul. It’s more disappointing than last season’s team because this team is much more talented and deeper.
Markell gave us a scare with that injury. Looks like he’s back in action.
Why does Abu have the worst hands in the league? All those muscles and can’t hold on to a rebound, catch a pass, or take 2 dribbles without turning it over?
When Yurt7 joins it’s going to be interesting to see if Anya gets any minutes at all? It feels like he’s actually regressing each season.
Minus the freshman mistakes you have to love Markell’s game. He is the best defending freshman I’ve seen in a long time.
Hate when Dennis settles for the 3. He needs to keep pressure on their defense.
Terry has to pick up his game. He’s the old man on the team and he’s playing like a rookie.
Kapita looking much better than Anya but he’s got to play smarter. He’s picking up too many fouls. Already with 3 fouls at the half.
13 turnovers at the half! Knew this team would struggle on the road but wow.
Would not bet against ESPN since John Groce HC, one of the worst in BIG
I don’t expect a lot from Abu or Anya. I want to see more of Kapita, Hicks, and Shaun.
Abu has literally put up Richard Howell numbers (check his last two years vs abu’s almost identical) his first two years here…. and one bad game and everyone write him off? i’m tired of these lazy “fans” who refuse to support our players.
Richard Howell was 6’6″ and playing out of position. Abu is 6’8″ with a 40+ inch vertical. It is you who is being lazy. If Howell had Abu’s height and leaping ability he would have averaged 25ppg and 20rpb. Please do not ever compare Abu to Howell. You are doing Howell a severe disservice.
Please you don’t know anything about basketball clearly. just spouting numbers based on what you think. smh. you’re pathetic.
I know you love Abu and good for you but it doesn’t change the fact that he is not a very good player. Here’s the difference, no one could ask any more from Howell because he produced above the level expected. Abu has desires to play pro and even considered leaving last season yet he doesn’t have a consistent mid range game nor a developed post game. He’s a physical specimen that plays small.
I’m just waiting for you to claim that Gottfried coaches good defense.
Further, one guy maximized his production given his limited size and the other is gifted with size and extreme athleticism but is coming no where close to maximizing his production. A closer comparison would be Abu and CJ Leslie. Leslie was much more skilled in the post than Abu and maximized his athleticism.
Watch Abu carefully in this game tonight. You will see a guy who avoids contact, has weak hands, and is not positioned well. With his physical gifts he should be scoring 25ppg, pulling down 13rpg, and blocking 2-3 spg. I wish he were better but his deficiencies are too great.
Literally one player averaged 20 and 10 last year. one in all of D1 college basketball. end this fable.. that state line doesn’t exist.
You chose Richard Howell as the comparison. He averaged a double double his last season. Again at 6’6″ and lacking Abu’s athleticism. All while having no plays run for him. He had to share the front court with CJL whom dominated the ball. Who does Abu have to compete with in the front court? If he was able he would get the ball as much as he wanted.
This game could easily end up a loss if the Pack doesn’t come out focused and determined. It’s a road game so you just never know how these kids will play. The one thing I can count on is Dennis doing his thing, Markell playing that tough D, Torin scoring on a 1 on 3 fast break, and Terry adding his double digit scoring.