The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1513610
players made it clear that they were not satisfied with the result. "We need to step on people's necks, especially teams like this," James said after a 79-61 win over Illinois State. Adding To The Legacy NC State is one-third of its way through a season that holds great po- tential. For the fourth time in Moore's 11 seasons with the Pack, his squad reeled off 10 consecutive wins to open its campaign. The Wolfpack welcomed its program alumni back to Raleigh in early De- cember for a reunion during the team's showdown with Illinois State, recog- nizing some of the athletes who built NC State into what it is today. Prior to that victory, the team spent time with these program legends, talk- ing about the bonds they created while playing at Reynolds Coliseum years ago. James is a huge part of this year's Wolfpack success, and she will play a critical role in adding to the pro- gram's storied legacy over the next few months. "They came to our practice, and just listening to their stories and how they played, it feels great to play for NC State and play for them," James said. ■ The NC State women's basketball team inked three of the nation's top recruits during the Novem- ber signing period, making its top-15 class official. Most recently, five-star point guard Zamareya Jones committed to the Wolfpack during a Nov. 1 announcement ceremony at Bethel (N.C.) North Pitt High, joining four-star wing Devyn Quigley and for- ward Lorena Awou. In ESPN HoopGurlz' 2024 rankings, Jones is listed as the nation's No. 17 recruit. Standing 5-foot-7, the senior point guard is the No. 2 player in North Carolina and head coach Wes Moore's highest-rated commit of this cycle. This is the Wolfpack's second consecutive year landing a commitment from a five-star point guard after current freshman Zoe Brooks signed with the program in the 2023 class. Earlier this year, Jones released a top five that included Mississippi State, Georgia, Florida State, Alabama and NC State. She took an official visit to Raleigh Sept. 29. Prior to that trip, she also stopped by Georgia, Mississippi State and Alabama. Per Sports Illustrated, Jones finished the 2022-23 season averaging 28.8 points, 5.6 steals, 4.7 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game at North Pitt. She also took home the North Carolina Basketball Coaches Associa - tion Girls' Basketball Player of the Year award. "Zamareya will add another gear to our transition game," Moore said in NC State's signing day press release. "She is super quick with the ball in her hands, has great court vision and makes everyone around her better. Her three-point range along with her explosiveness to the rim creates shots for her - self and her teammates. 'Z' is an exciting player who our fans will love watching." The elite guard joins Quigley and Awou in the class after they both officially visited campus Sept. 15 and committed earlier in the fall. Awou, who attends East Moline (Ill.) United High, averaged 12 points and 12.2 rebounds per game as a junior, per QCTimes.com. The 6-6 forward picked NC State over an impressive offer list that included Michigan, Kentucky and Miami. "Lorena brings great athleticism to our inside game," Moore said. "Her ability to run the floor and chase down rebounds will put a lot of pressure on defenses. Her combination of strength and mobil - ity will allow her to be a factor in the paint on both ends of the court. Relatively new to the game, Lo- rena has a high ceiling." Quigley, a 5-11 wing prospect from Manches- ter Township (N.J.) High, ranks No. 47 nationally and scored 34.9 points per game last season, per NJ.com. She also recorded 11.3 rebounds and 3.8 steals per game. The standout guard picked NC State after taking visits to Rutgers, Texas A&M and Wisconsin earlier this year. Her September trip to Raleigh was her final official visit. "We're excited about adding Devyn's versatility to the guard position," Moore said. "She has been a prolific scorer who can light it up at all three lev - els. Her deep range will spread defenses out, and her length and athleticism will create a matchup nightmare for opponents. Devyn will fill up the stat sheet." Each of the Wolfpack's commits signed their let- ters of intent Nov. 8, finalizing a group that ESPN. com ranked No. 14 nationally. The Wolfpack is playing the 2023-24 season with 11 scholarship players, including center River Baldwin, center Lizzy Williamson and forward Mimi Collins, who are all graduate students this year, and senior guard Madison Hayes. — Ethan McDowell 34 ■ THE WOLFPACKER Four-star wing Devyn Quigley averaged 34.9 points and 11.3 rebounds per game as a junior at Manchester Township (N.J.) High. PHOTO COURTESY DEVYN QUIGLEY Wolfpack head coach Wes Moore likes forward Lorena Awou's ability to impact the game on both the offensive and defensive ends. PHOTO COURTESY LORENA AWOU Ranked by ESPN HoopGurlz as the nation's No. 17 overall prospect, point guard Zamareya Jones is the highest rated player in NC State's class. PHOTO COURTESY ZAMAREYA JONES Highly Rated Trio Signs With Wolfpack In November