The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1306549
2020-2021 MEN'S BASKETBALL PREVIEW "He's got to do a good job. He only had eight assists on the year last season. "We're going to play him at the four spot, and he's got to improve those." Bates emerged as the rim protector that Keatts figured he could be when he pursued the 6-11, 230-pounder. "When we recruited him, I told my as- sistant coach, 'He's going to lead the ACC in shot blocks.' He was like, 'No way.' And he did his first year playing," Keatts noted. Last season, Bates blocked 83 shots in 29 games, an ACC-leading average of 2.9 per contest. That was the third-most rejections for a season in school history and crushed the program's freshman record of 36 blocks. Ken Pomeroy's advanced statistical met- rics had Bates leading the NCAA in block percentage, which is measured by the num- ber of rejections per opposing team's field goal attempts. That helps explain why the coach was flabbergasted that Bates was not on the ACC's All-Defense team. "It was mind-boggling to me," Keatts said. What has pleased Keatts about Bates is his development on the offensive end. Bates averaged a modest 5.1 points per game along with 4.0 rebounds while shooting 65.7 percent from the field. "He's coming along offensively," the coach noted. "He's starting to get more con- fidence around the basket. His development has been really huge for us this summer. He's starting to believe in himself." Depth will be provided by a pair of fresh- men. Jaylon Gibson is a native of nearby Zebulon who originally signed with Wake Forest, but the 6-9, 210-pounder switched destinations after the Demon Deacons had a coaching change. He averaged 16 points and 11 rebounds per game as a senior at Grace Christian School in Cary. "Jaylon Gibson has a nose for the basket- ball," Keatts said. "He offensive rebounds ev- erything. He's a guy that's going to play a little four and five. When you think Jaylon Gibson, think about a younger DJ Funderburk." The 6-11, 235-pound Ebenezer Dowu- ona is a native of Accra, Ghana, who played prep ball in the United States at The Heritage School in Newnan, Ga. Dowuona picked the Wolfpack over offers from Pittsburgh, San Diego State and South Florida, among others. As a junior, Dowuona had a double-dou- ble of 13 points and 14 rebounds to help his team win the Georgia Independent School Association (GISA) state title. In his final prep campaign, he contributed 15 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks per game and was 2020-21 NC State Men's Basketball Roster No. Name Ht. Wt. Pos. Yr. Hometown 0 DJ Funderburk 6-10 225 F 5th-Sr. Cleveland After entering his name into the NBA Draft, Funderburk withdrew and returned for his senior season. He led NC State in scoring (13.4 points) and rebounding (6.8 boards) in ACC play last season. 1 Dereon Seabron 6-7 180 G/F R-Fr. Norfolk, Va. Pack senior guard Braxton Beverly said of Seabron: "You are going to see a very long, athletic guard who's really unselfish, and he'll be able to make highlight dunks." 2 Shakeel Moore 6-1 180 G Fr. Greensboro, N.C. Head coach Kevin Keatts noted that the athletic Moore is "probably the best on-the-ball defender in our program." The goal for the rookie in the preseason is to become a more confident shooter. 3 Cam Hayes 6-3 175 G Fr. Greensboro, N.C. Hayes joins Moore in likely competing for immediate minutes at the point guard position. Keatts said that Hayes is "a guy with a tremendous IQ as a basketball player." 4 Jericole Hellems 6-7 205 F Jr. St. Louis Hellems has been a major contributor for two seasons and started 17 games while averaging 25.5 minutes per con - test in 2019-20. If he's not starting, Hellems is likely the top reserve off the bench. 5 Thomas Allen 6-1 180 G R-Jr. Raleigh Allen is eligible after sitting out last season as a transfer from Nebraska and should help with scoring. "He's got a knack for scoring. He knows how to put the ball in the basket," Beverly said. 10 Braxton Beverly 6-0 185 G Sr. Hazard, Ky. A back injury limited Beverly in 2019-20, but he is one of the most experienced players on the roster with 73 career starts and 98 appearances overall. Beverly has averaged 8.7 points per game in his career and made 186 three- pointers. 11 Jaylon Gibson 6-9 210 F. Fr. Zebulon, N.C. Funderburk noted that Gibson, a former Wake Forest signee, is "crazy on the rebounding side." Keatts has com - pared him to a younger version of Funderburk. 12 Chase Graham 6-1 170 G So. Raleigh The walk-on from Athens Drive High in Raleigh has proven to be a popular teammate. He made 13 appearances in his rookie season. 15 Manny Bates 6-11 230 C R-So. Fayetteville, N.C. Despite leading the ACC in blocked shots, Bates was — to Keatts' bafflement — not included on the ACC's All- Defense Team. Bates is looking to improve his offensive production this season. 21 Ebenezer Dowuona 6-11 235 C Fr. Accra, Ghana While fellow rookie Gibson reminded Keatts of a younger Funderburk, the Pack head coach sees some of Bates in Dowuona, who played his high school basketball at The Heritage School in Newnan, Ga. 22 Max Farthing 6-7 210 G So. Raleigh Like Graham, Farthing is a local walk-on product, having played prep ball at Word of God Academy. Farthing ap - peared in 12 games last season, and the good shooter made a three-pointer in a win over Miami. 24 Devon Daniels 6-5 200 G 5th-Sr. Battle Creek, Mich. One of NC State's best all-around players joins Funderburk as the Wolfpack's two returning double-digit scorers. Dan- iels' 53 steals were second on the team a year ago, and he was the third-leading rebounder at 5.3 boards a contest. 30 Nick Farrar 6-6 260 F Fr. Apex, N.C. Wolfpack fans received a glimpse of Farrar's skill when he scored 98 points in three games during Raleigh's prestigious holiday tournament, the John Wall Invitational. Farrar was an all-state performer as a senior at Apex Friendship High. 24 ■ THE WOLFPACKER Junior forward Jericole Hellems started 17 games last season and averaged 9.5 points and 3.4 rebounds per outing. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN