The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1113082
68 ■ THE WOLFPACKER BY JACEY ZEMBAL U nder head coach Kevin Keatts, NC State has been aggressive in the transfer market and this spring has been no excep- tion. The Wolfpack landed Lehigh graduate transfer Pat Andree to play power forward, and then in a surprising twist former signee Thomas Allen is coming back home after playing his first two years at Nebraska. Allen originally signed with NC State in the class of 2017, and then following the coaching transition in Raleigh was released from his letter of intent. NCSU also isn't done and has at least one scholarship remaining for the class of 2019. Walkertown (N.C.) High point guard Jalen Cone could make the move from the class of 2020 to 2019, and has an NC State offer. Rivals.com ranks the 5-9, 150-pounder as the No. 59 overall prospect and No. 12 point guard in the class of 2020. Between Cone, another potential gradu- ate transfer, transfers with multiple years of eligibility or junior college prospects, the Wolfpack will remain active this spring. Andree Fills Stretch Four Role Perfectly NC State didn't waste any time in zero- ing in on Andree, landing the Lehigh grad- uate and sharp-shooting forward April 17. Andree officially visited NC State the weekend of April 12-14, and fell in love with the Wolfpack enough to cancel trips to Kansas State and Texas Christian. The 6-8, 225-pounder averaged 12.9 points and 6.2 rebounds per game his junior year at Lehigh, where he graduated in three years. Andree recalled hearing from NC State head coach Kevin Keatts and assistant coach Roy Roberson right away once he put his name in the NCAA transfer portal. His second recruitment was different and quicker than when he picked Lehigh over George Washington, William & Mary and American coming out of Christian Brothers Academy in Colts Neck, N.J. "I knew NC State was a good school and all, but I was just blown away by ev- erything," said Andree, 21. "Just watching Coach Keatts and looking at the energy that he has and confidence he has in his team and the confidence he gives his players, it's everything." The recruitment of Andree was similar to speed dating. He played his last game at Lehigh March 10 in the Patriot League ■ BASKETBALL RECRUITING NC State Adds Shooting Punch In Pat Andree And Thomas Allen Andree, a 6-8, 225-pound graduate transfer, shot 41.5 percent (189 of 455) from three-point range during his Lehigh career. PHOTO COURTESY LEHIGH UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS