The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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MAY/JUNE 2021 ■ 31 and stronger after getting knocked around a little bit her freshman year of high school. "She's gotten her body ready to compete at the next level." Despite finishing her high school career with another program, she eclipsed the 2,000-point mark while at North Meck- lenburg, where she was a three-time North Carolina All-District 9 team selection and earned All-State honors from the Associated Press in 2020. During her senior campaign at Indepen- dence High, Timmons averaged 28.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.0 steals and 2.6 assists per game. After a career season as a senior, she earned first-team honors on HighSchoo- lOT's All-State team. "Jessica is a scorer that can finish with contact while also stretching the defense with deep threes," Moore said. "She looks to push the ball in transition and plays an up- tempo game. Jessica is a fierce competitor that will look to make plays on both ends of the floor, and her great work ethic will en- sure that she continues to grow her game." Two Talented Transfers NC State continued to build the foundation for future success with its 2021 signing class, and it accomplished that while immediately improving next season's roster by adding two highly touted transfers in Johnson and Hayes. Because of the NCAA's decision to not count the 2020-21 season toward a winter student-athlete's four years of eligibil- ity, both Johnson and Hayes will have the opportunity to play for the Pack through the 2024-25 season. Johnson, a 5-5 combo guard from Philadelphia, was considered the No. 1 player in the transfer portal this offseason by The Athletic. Her numbers back up that claim. She started in 15 of her 19 appearances as a freshman at Rutgers, and averaged 17.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.3 steals per game. She shot 51.2 percent from the field, 45.5 percent on 110 three-point attempts and 90.2 percent from the free throw line. "Diamond Johnson is a point guard that can score the ball," Moore said. "She's very efficient on the offensive end. She has the ability to push the ball, stretch the defense, break down defenders and set up her team- mates with scoring opportunities. "She also makes plays on the defensive end of the court and on the boards. Bottom line, Diamond is a basketball player, and we're proud to have her join the Wolfpack family." Johnson was the No. 6 overall player in the 2020 class according to ESPN HoopGurlz. She was the third-highest-ranked guard in the class, behind only Paige Bueckers of Con- necticut and Caitlin Clark of Iowa, both of whom were named AP All-Americans last season. She earned a spot on the Big Ten All-Freshman team and was tabbed as a second-team all-conference performer following her impressive debut campaign. "She brings it all to the table," Johnson's high school coach, Andrea Pe- terson, said. "For Diamond, it's bigger than basketball. You see the dynamic Diamond on the court, but off the court she's an amaz- ing young woman. She does a lot for the community. She's the total package. "That's the type of kid NC State is getting. She's a special kid all around. I know right now Wolfpack Nation is going to fall in love with her as soon as she steps foot on campus." Hayes, a 6-0 guard, also picked up some conference honors last season, earning a spot the SEC All-Freshman squad. After making her first start in mid-Janu- ary, she became a mainstay in the Bulldogs' starting lineup for the final nine contests. Hayes, a McDonald's All-American who was ranked as the No. 7 guard and No. 28 overall player in the 2020 class by ESPN HoopGurlz, averaged 4.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game while shooting 44.0 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from beyond the arc. She scored more than 3,000 points in high school and was named Class AAA Miss Tennessee Basketball twice. "Madison Hayes is a player that excels in all three phases of the game," Moore said. "Offensively, she can get to the rim as well as knock down the three. Defensively, her combination of strength and quickness al- lows her to be a lock-down defender. These same attributes make her a relentless re- bounder on both ends of the court. "We're excited to add the talent and tough- ness of Madison to the NC State program." ■ 2021 NC State Women's Basketball Recruiting Class And Transfers Name Pos. Ht. Class National Rk. Hometown (Previous School) Diamond Johnson G 5-5 2020 6* Philadelphia (Rutgers) Madison Hayes G 6-0 2020 28* Chattanooga, Tenn. (Mississippi State) Aziaha James G 5-9 2021 36* Virginia Beach, Va. (Princess Anne H.S.) Sophie Hart C 6-5 2021 64* Farmington, Minn. (Farmington H.S.) Jessica Timmons G 5-8 2021 40^ Charlotte, N.C. (Independence H.S.) * ESPN HoopGurlz; ^ Collegiate Girls Basketball Report Rutgers transfer guard Diamond Johnson was considered the No. 1 player in the transfer portal this offseason by The Athletic, and she's a former top-10 recruit nationally. PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE ATHLETICS Mississippi State transfer guard Madison Hayes was a McDonald's All-American coming out of Chattanooga (Tenn.) East Hamilton High School. PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE ATHLETICS