N.C. State basketball is
back in just over a month. The Wolfpack men’s basketball team is eager to build
on its 10-8 ACC record from last season, but enters this fall with tons of fresh
faces.
New head coach and N.C. State alum Justin Gainey brought in ten
transfers and one freshman.
“They are
selfless,” said Gainey. “They care about others, but more importantly, they care about winning.”
N.C. State returns two
of its top point scorers: junior Paul McNeil and graduate Ven-Allen Lubin.
The two are leaders of a unit completely bought into Gainey’s vision.
“That’s my
brother,” said Lubin about McNeil. “It was great coming back and
knowing that he has my back and I have his. So, we want to build something
together. We have another year together and we’re excited, want to make the
most of it, and we’re excited, and we’re going to make sure we represent N.C.
State the right way”
While the men are
entering a new era under Gainey, N.C. State women’s basketball is coming off
its 9th straight NCAA Tournament appearance and is armed with a strong
returning core under head coach Wes Moore.
The Wolfpack returns
its top two leading scorers, senior Zoe Brooks and senior Khamil Pierre.
They are key veterans challenged to set the standard this year.
“It’s hard for them,” Moore said. “Because they are
maybe not the most talkative at times on the court. It’s also just a big
responsibility when you’re requiring it of a teammate, demanding it of a
teammate; then you, yourself, have to be above reproach.”
Both teams are putting together the pieces until they tip off
their seasons in November.