Busting Brackets
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NC State Basketball: 2023-24 season preview for the Wolfpack

By Jerran Anderson

Mar 3, 2023; Greensboro, NC, USA; The NC State Wolfpack mascot performs during the first half at Greensboro Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: William Howard-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 3, 2023; Greensboro, NC, USA; The NC State Wolfpack mascot performs during the first half at Greensboro Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: William Howard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Michael Ciaglo-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Michael Ciaglo-USA TODAY Sports /

Key Reserves

Mohamed Diarra, Forward/center

Mohamed Diarra is another addition out of the transfer portal out of Missouri. He’s an athletic big man at 6-foot-10 who put up 3.2 ppg and 3.3 rpg across 25 appearances in 2022-23 in the SEC. Diarra should fill a huge void left by some departures in the frontcourt with his length and size on the interior. He’s got a strong knack for rebounding the ball and could act as quite the defensive anchor for a team in desperate need of a new presence in the paint.

Breon Pass, Point Guard

Given NC State’s penchant for guard play, Breon Pass emerges as a name NC State fans should get to know as another season approaches. He’s a junior guard who should see his minutes grow at the backup point guard role after making 30 appearances as a sophomore. He’s a solid change of pace given his ability to knock down shots on the perimeter and push the pace.

Jayden Taylor, Guard/Wing

Jayden Taylor is another transfer portal addition out of Butler joining the Wolfpack’s backcourt. He’s a two-way presence who could see a ton of minutes after posting 12.9 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.3 apg and 1.3 spg on 32.6 percent shooting from deep and 40.8 percent shooting from the field in the Big East this past season.

L.J. Thomas, Guard

L.J. Thomas is another returning guard who should see minutes in the backcourt after making 30 appearances as a freshman. He finished with 2.4 ppg and 2.1 rpg on 47.4 percent shooting from deep this past season.

Ernest Ross, Forward

Ernest Ross is another forward prospect who should see his minutes grow off the bench as he enters his junior season. He’s got 48 appearances across the past two seasons and finished with 3.5 ppg and 2.5 rpg across 34 appearances as a sophomore in 2022-23. He’s an underrated athletic forward with room to blossom in the frontcourt.

M.J. Rice, Guard/Wing

M.J. Rice is another addition out of the portal from Kansas in the Big 12. He averaged 2.2 ppg and 1.0 rpg across 23 appearances in his college debut before hitting the transfer portal this past offseason. He’s a versatile presence with size and ability to play the 1-3 spots at 6-foot-5 and 215 pounds.

Dennis Parker Jr., Guard/Wing

Dennis Parker Jr. is a sizeable wing/guard prospect at 6-foot-6 who could see minutes at a variety of different roles off the bench. He could operate at the small forward wing spot given his ability to shoot the ball or either guard role given his ability to handle the ball. He’s a freshman gem who could turn heads as an All-ACC Freshmen selection before it’s all said and done given what he can do.

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