ACC Basketball: Ranking of 25 best players from last decade (2013-23)

6. T. J. Warren

A 6’8 wing from Durham, Warren made his way to rival NC State and was one of the best players that Mark Gottfried coached during his head coaching career. A Top 30 recruit back in 2012, Warren was a solid contributor as a freshman but really came alive in a dominant sophomore season with the Wolfpack.

Nearly doubling the production of his freshman campaign, Warren averaged 24.9 points and 7.1 rebounds as a sophomore, helping NC State to another 22-win season and trip to the Big Dance. An explosive scorer, Warren had back-to-back 40-point games in his final two regular-season outings, wins over Pittsburgh and Boston College, and scored at least 25 points in both of the Wolfpack’s NCAA Tournament performances.

One of the best offensive players in the entire country, Warren was named ACC Player of the Year and a Second Team All-American for that explosive season. He certainly took that leap as a sophomore, leading the entire country in field goals made and topping the ACC in field goal percentage, points, and efficiency ratings. He departed for the NBA after just two seasons in Raleigh, but that sophomore season was really special and showed his incredible talent and potential.