The Wolfpacker

January 2019

The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports

Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1059287

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 81 of 87

82 ■ THE WOLFPACKER BY JACEY ZEMBAL N C State was able to sign star senior point guard Jalen Lecque prior to the end of the fall's early signing period. Lecque had wanted to wait until he was home in Teaneck, N.J., to sign with the Wolfpack, officially inking his national letter of intent Nov. 21. The signing capped the recruiting news for the fall, but NC State will have at least two scholarships to use this spring. Lecque also won't be the lone newcomer on NC State's roster next year. NCSU head coach Kevin Keatts welcomes Kentucky center transfer Sacha Killeya-Jones and class of 2018 center Manny Bates, who is redshirting this season after undergoing shoulder surgery. Keatts was able to watch Lecque play re- cently in the Bahamas Nov. 2-4 for Wolfe- boro (N.H.) Brewster Academy, which is where former NC State star T.J. Warren spent his final prep season. "That was a good trip," Keatts said. "That is one of my favorite places to go, and it was great because I had a chance to see some exciting basketball. Going to watch Jalen play is fun. He is a highlight guy. "I think we have arguably the best guard in the country and he's explosive. What makes Jalen so special is that he fits into our system." NC State prefers an attacking point guard off of high ball screens, which is similar to how current junior point guard Markell Johnson plays, and also Lecque's preferred style. Keatts could have the opportunity to play Johnson and Lecque together next year, plus NC State also returns sophomore point guard Blake Harris and sophomore combo guard Braxton Beverly. "No, I'm locked into the moment," Ke- atts said about potentially fantasizing about Johnson and Lecque playing together. "We have great players here, and these guys are getting better. I'm going to concentrate on the guys that we have." Rivals.com ranks Lecque as the No. 29 overall player in the class of 2019. He accumulated at least 26 scholarship of- fers, but it came down to NC State and Tennessee. He officially visited the Wolfpack Sept. 7-9, and eventually verbally com- mitted Oct. 2. The 6-4, 180-pounder had also considered Louisville, Oregon, Texas Christian, Texas Tech and UCLA. ■ BASKETBALL RECRUITING Exciting Five-Star Point Guard Jalen Lecque Signs With NC State Notes • NC State offered four recruits from the state of North Carolina this fall. Charlotte Northside Christian junior forward Jaden Seymour got his offer after he attended Primetime With The Pack Oct. 19. Seymour, who has been offered by the Wolfpack, Virginia Tech and South Florida, was recently inserted as the No. 150 overall player in the class of 2020 by Rivals.com. The 6-7, 185-pounder played for the Team Wall traveling team, which is sponsored by Raleigh native John Wall of the Washington Wizards. • NC State also offered three sophomores, who unofficially visited for the Virginia at NC State football game, Sept. 29. Sophomore point guard Camren Hayes of Greensboro Day returned to NC State for the second time in the last year. The 6-2, 175-pounder previously attended the Notre Dame at NC State hoops game Feb. 3. Hayes is the lone North Carolina native to be ranked in Rivals.com's initial top 35 for the class of 2021, check- ing in at No. 31. He attended Greensboro Smith High last year, but reclassed to 2021 after making the move to traditional power Greensboro Day. Farmville Central sophomore combo guard Terquavion Smith and Reidsville High sophomore Breon Pass were also offered during the UVA at NC State football game. Hayes played for CP3 16s traveling team, which is sponsored by Chris Paul of the Houston Rockets, and both Smith and Pass were teammates on CP3 15s. The 6-6, 154-pound Smith has offers from NC State and East Carolina, and grew up a Wolfpack fan thanks to the influence of his grandfather. The 5-11, 161-pound Pass is a standout in both basketball and football for Reidsville High. He plays for his father in basketball, Curtis Pass, who was a former player at Old Dominion and West Georgia. NCSU assistant coach James Johnson was an assistant coach at ODU when Pass played there. MaxPreps.com has Pass with 23 receptions for 498 yards and 10 touchdowns through 12 games played this sea - son. He has 12 carries for 172 yards and a score, plus two touchdowns in the return game. He also has 23 tackles and an impressive seven interceptions on defense. Rivals.com ranks Lecque as the nation's 29th-best player in the class of 2019. PHOTO BY JON LOPEZ/COURTESY RIVALS.COM "He is a highlight guy. I think we have arguably the best guard in the country, and he's explosive. What makes Jalen so special is that he fits into our system." ■ Head coach Kevin Keatts on Lecque

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of The Wolfpacker - January 2019