The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1113082
52 ■ THE WOLFPACKER BY JACEY ZEMBAL N C State junior point guard Markell Johnson has embarked on finding out where he stands for the 2019 NBA Draft. Johnson has entered his name in for the NBA Draft, and will have to make a final decision by midnight May 29. He does have the option of using an agent to guide him along the process while getting an evaluation from the NBA Undergraduate Advisory Committee. The 6-1, 175-pounder flashed his poten- tial at various points this season en route to averaging 12.6 points and 4.2 assists per game while shooting a career-high 42.2 percent from three-point range. "I fully support Markell going through this evaluation process and gathering ad- ditional information," NCSU head coach Kevin Keatts said. "Given the rules and options available to him, Markell is taking advantage of the resources to ultimately make the most informed decision." Johnson often performed his best under the "bright lights" when the Wolfpack had big games. He had 27 points and shot 5 of 8 from three-point land in the 78-71 win over eventual Final Four squad Auburn Dec. 19. Johnson also finished the year strong to enter his offseason with momentum. He averaged 19.3 points and 5.0 assists per game and shot 9 of 17 from long range in the Wolfpack's three games in the NIT. NC State has a recent history of players declaring for the NBA Draft as underclass- men. Cedric Simmons (2006), J.J. Hick- son (2008), T.J. Warren (2014) and Dennis Smith Jr. (2017) all entered the NBA Draft early and were first-round picks. In addi- tion, Lorenzo Brown (2013) went in the second round. Former NCSU players Brandon Costner (2009), C.J. Leslie (2013), Trevor Lacey (2015), Anthony Barber (2016), Maverick Rowan (2017) and Ted Kapita (2017) all left with eligibility remaining, but went undrafted. The Wolfpack also had Abdul-Malik Abu (2016), BeeJay Anya (2016) and To- rin Dorn (2018) test the waters and return to college. WOLFPACK BASKETBALL Junior Markell Johnson Exploring NBA Draft Options Johnson, who has until midnight May 29 to decide whether or not he will stay in the NBA Draft, averaged 12.6 points and 4.2 assists per contest while shooting a career-high 42.2 percent from three-point range in 2018-19. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN 2019-20 Scholarships 1. C.J. Bryce, SG, 6-5, 5th-Sr 2. Pat Andree, PF, 6-8, Sr. 3. Markell Johnson, PG, 6-1, Sr. (declared for NBA Draft) 4. Devon Daniels, SF, 6-5, R-Jr. 5. Derek Funderburk, C/PF, 6-10, R-Jr. 6. Braxton Beverly, SG/PG, 6-0, Jr. 7. Blake Harris, PG, 6-3, Jr. 8. Thomas Allen, SG, 6-2, Jr. (redshirting due to transfer rules) 9. Jericole Hellems, PF, 6-7, So. 10. Immanuel Bates, C, 6-11, R-Fr. 11. Jalen Lecque, PG, 6-4, Fr. (declared for NBA Draft) 12. Dereon Seabron, SG/SF, 6-4, Fr. 13. Open 2020-21 Scholarships 1. Devon Daniels, SF, 6-5, 5th-Sr. 2. Derek Funderburk, C/PF, 6-10, 5th-Sr. 3. Braxton Beverly, SG/PG, 6-0, Sr. 4. Blake Harris, PG, 6-3, Sr. 5. Thomas Allen, SG, 6-2, R-Jr. 6. Jericole Hellems, PF, 6-7, Jr. 7. Immanuel Bates, C, 6-11, R-So. 8. Jalen Lecque, PG, 6-4, So. 9. Dereon Seabron, SG/SF, 6-4, So. 10. Open 11. Open 12. Open 13. Open