ACC Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2021-22 season

NC State basketball did some shuffling in their backcourt in the offseason, but Cam Hayes, Manny Bates, and Jerricole Hellems are the leading returners on a team with some interesting guard depth heading into 2021-22.

Hayes returns as their top playmaker from a season ago, after dishing out 43.1 apg to go along with 7.8 ppg, 2.4 rpg and 1.2 spg. He’s set to break out in the backcourt this upcoming season as they look to make a move with some experience under their belt.

Hellems was the team’s second-leading with 12.9 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.7 apg, and 1.1 spg in 2020-21. With another full season under his belt, he’ll look to push the envelope on the rebounding front.

Bates is set to grow into a bigger role after averaging 9.8 ppg, 5.9 rpg, and 2.7 bpg in the paint area for NC State basketball in 2020-21. He’s a 6-foot-11 All-ACC Defense presence with a ton of upside on the floor.

Casey Morsell and Greg Gantt Jr. are the two leading names in their 2021 recruiting class, which also features three freshmen, two in the backcourt. Morsell should challenge Cam Hayes for minutes. Hayes is another player set to breakout with his ability to plays on both ends.

There’s no shortage of talent for Coach Kevin Keatts in Raleigh, that’s for sure. Look for the Wolfpack to finish near the top of the conference by the season’s end.