The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1190316
JANUARY 2020 ■ 63 BY BRIAN RAPP T ypically, when a college basketball player is asked about his or her plans after their playing days end, the answer may involve what the person hopes to do after extend- ing their hoops career in some profes- sional venue, be it the NBA, WNBA or overseas. Most will have some vague idea of how to utilize whatever degree they've earned, be it in business, communica- tions or some similar avenue of em- ployment. NC State senior Erika Cassell is not different in that regard — except that unlike the majority of her team- mates, past and present, the 6-2 na- tive of Marietta, Ga., is certain that her post-Wolfpack existence won't include basketball. "I don't want to play after college," she ad- mitted recently. "I like basketball, but I don't have a passion for it." In fact, the youngest of three daughters of Sharon and Michael Cassell said the only reason she took up hoops in the first place was because her mother wouldn't let her pur- sue her biggest childhood dream: being a cheerleader. "She knew me and my sister [Alex, who went on to play at Charleston Southern], could be good, and she wanted us to be able to go to college on scholarships," Cassell explained. Despite that initial reluctance, Cassell became enough of an impact player on the hardwood to not only attract multiple schol- arship offers coming our of Holy Innocents Episcopal School — Louisville and Georgia were on her final list of choices. After toiling for two years as a backup forward for the Pack, she earned the starting nod at center for the 2018-19 season. For 22 games, Cassell anchored the middle for a Pack team that won a school-record 21 consecutive games and was contending for the ACC regular-season title. Then, on Feb. 7, she was mak- ing a typical spin move toward the basket. " I p iv o t e d , and my right leg didn't come with me," she recalled. Leading the team at the time with an aver- age of 7.9 rebounds per game, she became the fourth Pack player to suffer a season- ending ACL tear. The injury thrust freshman post Elissa Cu- nane into a starting role, and she eventually earned selection to the ACC All-Freshman and All-Tournament teams. The setback was Cassell's second ACL tear in five years (she suffered a similar injury at the end of her sophomore year in high school) and halted what had been steady improvement over her first three seasons in Raleigh. From action in 22 games as a freshman, averaging 2.1 points and 2.5 rebounds in 7.0 minutes per appearance, she was play- ing an average of 17.6 minutes, shooting 46.2 percent from the floor and posting 6.6 points a game to go along with her team-best rebounding average. "This injury was actually less traumatic because I'd been through it before," Cassell said. "The first time it took me over a year to be able to play again. This time I was doing things to rehab two days out of surgery. I'm still not 100 percent. "I feel pretty good, but it's just getting my confidence back." Nine months later, with the help of a brace, Cassell has played in all eight of NC State's opening games through Dec. 1. She was averaging 10.5 minutes per contest while contributing 2.9 points and 3.6 boards per appearance — numbers she hopes to raise in the time she has left in a Pack uniform. "I'd like to get back to where I was before I got hurt, but my mindset is the same as it was," she said. "My role is basically to rebound and defend, and when I'm in that's what I have to make sure I'm doing. "It is different coming off the bench again. I'm having some trouble finding my rhythm, but as long as I concen- trate on not think- ing too much I'll be okay." "She's continu- ing to grow as a player," head coach Wes Moore said. "Erika does a great job on the boards — she seems to anticipate where the ball is going to come off. She makes the oc- casional three to stretch a defense, and she hits her free throws. "I don't think she's 100 percent yet by any means, but she has the basketball IQ to make up for a lack of mobility right now by recognizing things on the court faster than a younger player could. I'm glad we have that experience on our roster." Having already graduated last May with a degree in communications and a 3.2 GPA and working on a second in public administration, Cassell is hoping to eventually do something in marketing. "I know how to promote a product. I think I can make someone buy anything," she boasted. But for the next five months, the goal is a little more defined. "I just want to do the little things that will help us win," she said. "Setting screens to get my teammates open for shots, getting offensive rebounds and kicking it out for another possession — the things that maybe go unnoticed. "I just want to help in any way I can now, in whatever role I have. I think we have the chance to do something really special this year." ■ "I just want to help in any way I can now, in whatever role I have. I think we have the chance to do something really special this year." ■ Cassell REBOUND AND DEFEND That's Pack Senior Erika Cassell's Role While Recovering From Last Season's ACL Injury Cassell started at center for NC State during its 21-game win streak that opened last sea- son and was averaging 7.9 boards per contest before tearing her ACL in early February. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN