The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1527657
TRACKING THE PACK 12 ■ THE WOLFPACKER In the era of constant roster move- ment, there aren't many Division I basketball players at power conference schools who stay in one place for four seasons — especially when their play- ing time fluctuates. But despite playing just 5.1 minutes a game last season, NC State senior guard Breon Pass decided to stay in Raleigh for his final year of eligibility. Pass is the only player on the Wolf- pack's roster to spend all four of his collegiate seasons with the same pro- gram, a rarity in today's world. "I think we should appreciate Breon Pass," NC State head coach Kevin Ke- atts said. "Very seldom will you see a guy start at a Power Five school and graduate from there. They'll either transfer or they'll go to the pros early. I'm excited about him. He'll be in the mix this year as an older guy." The Reidsville, N.C., native has a chance to break into the Wolfpack's rotation this season after spending his first three campaigns as a less fre- quently used player. Pass has tallied 140 total points, 73 rebounds, 34 assists and 21 steals across 86 total games in which he has appeared with the Pack. He played 9 minutes in NC State's Final Four matchup against Purdue, finishing with 4 points on 2-of-4 shooting, as well as a rebound and a steal. Pass recently talked to The Wolf- packer about his career and how his experiences to his point have prepared him for the season to come: How did being a part of the Final Four run help you grow as a player? "Last year was a big step for every- body. It was my first Final Four run, along with everybody else. "I would say that winning mat- ters. Toward the end of the season, we weren't having a good year, but we turned it around really quickly. It taught me how everything can change fast. We just stayed together as a team and started to win games." Does that make you hungrier to earn more minutes on the court? "That really put a lot of hard work into my craft. I took everything that we learned from the Final Four run and had a great offseason. I really put ev- erything together." You had a steal and a layup in the Final Four game against Purdue. What was that experience like for you? "Even though it wasn't everything I wanted, it was small parts of it. Every- thing made me happy in that moment. Just to share everything. My mom was in the stands, my sister. It was every- thing for me." The transfer portal has made it a lot easier to move on. You're the only current NC State player to be on the team for all four years. What goes into sticking it out and not transferring? "It just comes down to being loyal. Nowadays, people run from not play- ing a lot or when they're not getting what they think they deserve. With me, I feel like staying down and work- ing for what you want, staying ready, is everything. I feel like those three years have prepared me for this year. "I could have transferred. I could have gone different ways about it. I could have caused a fit. I just stayed the same way. I didn't complain. I just stayed the course and trusted my work." Why did you change your num- ber from No. 10 to No. 4 this sea- son? "It's a new year, my last year. I just wanted a different era. I wanted a fresh start. I feel like No. 4 was the best fit for me, so I just went with it. No. 4 for four [years]." — Noah Fleischman SITTING DOWN WITH: Men's Basketball Senior Guard Breon Pass Pass has spent his entire college career at NC State. He played just over 5 minutes per game as a junior and is looking for a bigger role heading into the 2024-25 season. PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE ATHLETICS