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NC State Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Wolfpack

By Brian Rauf

WICHITA, KS - MARCH 15: Head coach Kevin Keatts of the North Carolina State Wolfpack calls out instructions in the first half against the Seton Hall Pirates during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at INTRUST Arena on March 15, 2018 in Wichita, Kansas. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
WICHITA, KS - MARCH 15: Head coach Kevin Keatts of the North Carolina State Wolfpack calls out instructions in the first half against the Seton Hall Pirates during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at INTRUST Arena on March 15, 2018 in Wichita, Kansas. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) /
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WICHITA, KS – MARCH 15: Myles Cale #22 of the Seton Hall Pirates dribbles the ball while being guarded by Braxton Beverly #10 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the first half during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at INTRUST Arena on March 15, 2018 in Wichita, Kansas. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
WICHITA, KS – MARCH 15: Myles Cale #22 of the Seton Hall Pirates dribbles the ball while being guarded by Braxton Beverly #10 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the first half during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at INTRUST Arena on March 15, 2018 in Wichita, Kansas. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) /

Key reserves

Braxton Beverly
Beverly may very well find his way into the starting lineup in his second season on campus but, for now, we project him to be the sixth man. His ball-handling and shooting will be major keys (shoutout DJ Khaled) for this bench unit.

Wyatt Walker
Walker is the rare graduate transfer who has two years of eligibility remaining, and the former Samford big will be a key rotation piece for the Pack in each of those seasons. He’ll provide a toughness in the paint while still being athletic enough to make an impact in Keatts’ up-tempo system. Walker and Funderburk will be the two big men NC State relies on most.

Blake Harris
Harris surprisingly chose to transfer from Missouri after the first semester last season, meaning he’ll be eligible for the Wolfpack in late December. He averaged 3.8 points and 4.1 assists per game before deciding to transfer and will provide another big, athletic playmaker in the rotation – the kind of player who fits this system perfectly.

Eric Lockett
Another graduate transfer added by Keatts, Lockett averaged 14.3 points and 6.5 rebounds last season at FIU. He’s not a shooter but is a physical guard who knows how to score. Expect Lockett to play the same role as Torin Dorn with the bench unit.

Ian Steere
Steere is the kind of freshman big that already has a college-level body but may need some time to get up to speed. He’s a strong player in the post who is comfortable with his back to the basket. Steere will see his most minutes against opponents that use multiple big men.

Jericole Hellems
Another member of the freshmen class, Hellems has great size and length at 6-6 and 190 pounds to go along with high-level athleticism. He’s someone who can score from all three levels as well, but his minutes will be severely limited given the number of impact wing players NC State already has in the rotation.

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