The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1540860
36 ■ THE WOLFPACKER an open teammate or steal the ball away on the defensive end. Being well-rounded is important to her. "I don't want to just be a great re- bounder or a great scorer," Pierre said. "Every time I step on the floor, I want to be the best all-around player. When I think about my game, I just think about an all-around player who can do this but also do that." That's the exact type of player NC State was looking to add to its roster this season. The Wolfpack, which doesn't boast a senior on its relatively young squad, was lacking another game-al- tering presence to pair with sophomore center Tilda Trygger. Pierre can slide into the post when needed, giving NC State the ability to create positional mismatches all over the floor. Last sea- son, she was the only player in the na- tion to average at least 20 points, 9 re- bounds, 2 assists and 2 steals per game. Pierre turned heads in her first few preseason practice sessions at NC State. "She can really score the ball with ease," Brooks said. "It's like she's play- ing on the playground, that's how ef- fortless it looks. I think she's definitely going to take this league by storm." Moore, too, was pleased with what he saw from Pierre in preseason practice. "She's capable of really changing the game," he said. "We just need her to grasp what we're doing and buy into showing it every day. You can't afford to take a day off in this league." Pierre has her sights set on becom- ing a top-five pick in the WNBA Draft, and she came to Raleigh believing that Moore's program could take her to that level. She's been thriving in the culture of positivity that the staff and players have created. "Never once have I walked into the locker room [and felt] bad energy or seen people complaining," Pierre said. "Everyone's super positive and just un- derstands that on a good day or bad day, we're going to get through it together. I feel like that's a really big difference." For Pierre, who has dealt with her own mental health challenges over the past few years, NC State has been a breath of fresh air. The transition was tough, but she worked her way through it with the support of her inner circle. Now, looking back on her path to Ra- leigh, Pierre has a new perspective on the sport and a refreshed mindset. "I'm very thankful just to be where I am," she said. "When the whole pro- cess started, I was unsure that I would even return to playing basketball. I think that's how big of an effect it had on my mental health. Just to be back and to be around people who are uplifting, I don't talk about it a lot, but it means a lot to me." ■ Coach Wes Moore described Pierre's late addition to the NC State roster as a "miracle." She missed the spring transfer window and arrived as a walk-on in order to be eligible to play this season. PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE ATHLETICS