NC State Basketball had a good past season for head coach Kevin Keatts, who was reportedly on the hot seat entering the year. After finishing last in the ACC the season prior, the team ended up finishing in the top half and got 23 wins in total. It was good enough to make the NCAA Tournament and keep the program stable for the next year.
But the Wolfpack knew that it was going to lose a lot of talent this offseason. Star sophomore guard Terquavion Smith (17.9 ppg and 4.1 apg) left to be a future NBA Draft pick, while All-ACC guard Jarkel Joiner had no eligibility left. A couple of players have transferred out as well, including forwards Jack Clark, Dusan Mahorcic, and former top-50 prospect, Isaiah Miranda.
The team has made up for the roster departures with a load of newcomers from the transfer portal. In the backcourt comes DJ Horne (Arizona State), Michael O’Connell (Stanford), Jayden Taylor (Butler), and MJ Rice (Kansas), along with a pair of frontcourt players in Ben Middlebrooks (Clemson) and Mohamed Diarra (Missouri).
Ernest Ross and Casey Morsell are the two rotation players coming back, along with two incoming true freshmen in guard Tremayne Parker and forward Dennis Parker. This makes for a completely new rotation for next season, with varying roles for everyone. Plus. LJ Thomas and Breon Pass are back for potential large roles next season as well.
Here’s an early look at NC State’s roster for next season, including the projected starters and overall rotation.