The Wolfpacker

May 2013 Wolfpacker

The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports

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Filling The Void 2013 basketball recruiting issue Center BeeJay Anya Is Ready To Battle In The Paint Next Year E By Jacey Zembal SPN's 30 for 30 film "Survive and Advance" could become mandatory viewing for future NC State players. The movie especially hit home for Hyattsville (Md.) DeMatha Catholic center BeeJay Anya. He shares the same alma mater as Sidney Lowe and Dereck Whittenburg, who helped lead the 1983 Wolfpack to the national title. Anya met the two backcourt stars, who were coached by legendary DeMatha coach Morgan Wootten. The 6-9, 285-pound Anya, who committed to NC State Nov. 16, understands more about history of the Wolfpack basketball program thanks to the film. "I think I'm ready for it. There are some big shoes   to fill with Richard Howell leaving, and C.J. Leslie   has left. I have to help   fill that void." ■ Anya Anya played for the gold medal-winning USA team at the 2012 FIBA U17 World Championship June 29-July 8 in Kaunas, Lithuania, averaging 6.3 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. photo courtesy usa basketball "I watched it like four, five times already," said Anya, 18. "I think about it every day because that can be me. They beat powerhouses like Houston, UVa and all those teams they took down and beat. They beat Michael Jordan [and UNC]. It was crazy." Anya has met both Lowe and Whittenburg, with the former trying to recruit him when he was the head coach of the Wolfpack. "Lowe is a good guy and I like him a lot, and I've talked to Whittenburg a lot because he comes to my school and has given speeches," said Anya, who has an amazing 7-9 wingspan. "He said he played every game like it was his last game. He wanted to prove everybody wrong. "He tried to get it in my head that there would be a time where I would have to step up and be the man." Anya joins former DeMatha standouts such as Lowe, Whittenburg, Kenny Carr, Hawkeye Whitney, Benny Bolton, Quentin Jackson and Jordan Collins in attending NC State. The Wolfpack once had a streak of 14 straight years with a Stags player on its roster. Anya, who was recruited by NC State assistant coach Rob Moxley, picked the Wolfpack over Indiana, Ohio State, Syracuse and Pittsburgh. 22  ■  the wolfpacker 22,24.Beejay Anya.indd 22 4/30/13 3:33 PM

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