The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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132 ■ THE WOLFPACKER ■ PACK PROS paign for Rodon, also in his fourth profes- sional campaign. He started the year on the disabled list after being limited to 12 appearances last season and did not make his 2018 debut until June. The lefty, who will turn 26 in December, finished the year 6-8 in 20 starts with a 4.18 ERA and 90 strikeouts in 120 2 ⁄3 innings pitched. However, there were positives. Opponents' .220 batting average against him marked a career best. He also announced his return from arthroscopic shoulder surgery with nine straight quality starts (at least six innings with three earned runs or fewer) from July through August and entered the final month of the season with a year-long ERA of 2.70. But September was not kind to the 6-3, 235-pounder, who went 0-5 with a 9.22 ERA in six starts during the season's final month. Despite that, he was upbeat and positive following his final start of the regular sea- son after allowing eight earned runs, not- ing that his "stuff felt great, arm felt great, body felt great." "It's going to be nice to not have all the rehab stuff," he continued, according to MLB.com. "Take a little bit of time for my- self and decompress and get back after it. After this one-year anniversary yesterday [Sept. 28] for shoulder surgery, they say the next year should be better." In 2019, he'll try to follow the blueprint Turner set this year — staying healthy for the whole season and producing a career year to re-establish himself among the top young players in baseball. Wrestler Nick Gwiazdowski Wins Bronze At World Championships Former NC State wrestler Nick Gwiaz- dowski set out to prove he was not only at his best, but that he was the best 125-kilo- gram grappler on the planet at the World Championships Oct. 20-21 in Budapest, Hungary. Representing the USA, the two-time NCAA champion fell short of a gold medal with a 5-4 quarterfinal loss to eventual fi- nalist Zhiwei Deng of China. However, Gwiazdowski bounced back to win two consolation matches in dominant fashion and claim his second straight world bronze. He posted a scoring differential of 27-11 in his four bouts (3-1 record). Gwiazdowski was ranked 12th interna- tionally at 125 kilograms by FloWrestling before the event. The Wolfpacker proved he is one of the best in the world at his weight class, but head coach Pat Popolizio doesn't think the 25-year-old is done improving or claiming international acclaim in the Four Former NC State Players Open Season On NBA Rosters The NBA season began Oct. 16, and the Wolfpack boasted four former players across league rosters. Here's a quick breakdown of each: • Lorenzo Brown (Played at NC State from 2011-13), G, Toronto Raptors Played in 14 games last year with the club and averaged 9.9 minutes, 2.3 points, 1.1 rebound and 0.9 assists per game, but spent most of his time with the team's G-League affiliate, where he earned G League MVP honors … Logged nine minutes in two of the team's first three games and tallied two rebounds. • Dennis Smith Jr. (2017), G, Dallas Mavericks Saw action in 69 games last year as a rookie, averaging 29.7 minutes, 15.2 points, 5.2 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game … Started his team's first two contests and totaled 46 minutes, 24 points, 12 assists, six steals and four rebounds. • T.J. Warren (2013-14), F, Phoenix Suns In his fourth pro season last year, he posted clips of 33.0 minutes, 19.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.0 steals per game — all except steals were new career bests … Came off the bench in the first two games this year and notched 45 minutes, 33 points, four rebounds, two steals and two assists. • C.J. Williams (2009-12), G, Minnesota Timberwolves Played in 38 games for the Clippers last year and averaged 18.6 minutes, 5.5 points and 1.5 rebounds per outing, and then signed a two-way contract with Minnesota in July … Each team can have two players on such deals, which means they'll spend the bulk of the season in the G League but can be with the NBA club for up to 45 days; he was also on a two-way contract last year … Played seven minutes in one of his team's first three games. Phoenix Suns forward T.J. Warren set career highs last year by averaging 33.0 minutes, 19.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. PHOTO COURTESY PHOENIX SUNS Former NC State All-American wrestler Nick Gwiazdowski won his second straight bronze medal at the World Championships, Oct. 20-21 in Budapest, Hungary. PHOTO BY LARRY BLANKENSHIP